10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 7
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 41,958 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Driving my 2002 Dodge Dakota (slt 4X4) in a 55 mph speed limit. Was traveling at 49 mph. Applied brakes with abnormally slow response, jerking and vibration, resulting in rear-ending the car ahead. Resulted in $5050 damage to my truck and $4781 in damage to the other vehicle. Have had brakes checked twice by the dealership since accident with explaination that the front brakes are disc and the back are drum and that front disc brakes will apply before the rear, and this is the normal operation of these brakes. This truck continues to have a long stopping distance compared to other trucks I have owned. I am now seeing multiple other braking complaints related to this truck. I am in the process of looking for a different vehicle because this one does not feel safe while stopping.
- Santa Fe, NM, USA
Problems with front suspension and brakes on 2002 Dodge Dakota. The front suspension squeaked and was unable to be duplicated, the brakes were noisy upon application and was also unable to be duplicated, noise would come from the shock absorber when stopping and when going over bumps, noise was coming from the left front upper ball joints on left turns and when going over bumps, the left caliper made a sticking sound and the wheel bearing was replaced, the drive belt made sounds, and the brakes pulsated.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Warped rotors. A known issue among many, many Dodge truck owners. Front rotors seem to warp every 20,000 miles or so. I've read many complaints on websites for Dodge truck owners experiencing the same problems. It seems the only fix is to purchase high performance "drilled or vented" rotors at a very high cost. This is a manufacturer issue as the problem has carried over the years anywhere from 1995 through 2002. I've read where people have had the Dodge dealerships replace with Dodge rotors only to experience the same problem. This is a big issue!! I am now going through this for the second time around and am looking at having to spend anywhere from $500 to $1,000 to resolve this issue. Dodge needs to address this and be held accountable for this problem.
- Macomb, MO, USA
Right front brake locked up. Dealer said brake fluid is comtamanated. I am doing my own repair with master mechanc. Iam going to have the brake fluid checked Dakotas have been having front brake problems for a few years. There is nothing wrong with brake fluid. They said the lines are swelled up they said all rubber lines and seals would have to be replaced at my cost, they will not warranty work
- Lake City, FL, USA
When the brakes were applied, the vehicle pulled to the right. While the consumer was getting the tires rotated, the mechanic determined that the tie rods were loose. Midstate Dodge replaced the tie rods with new ones. Midstate Dodge would not replaced the brakes. The vehicle was still under warranty.
- Northfield Falls, VT, USA
Vehicle had excessive brake pad wear. The front pads has been replaced 4 times and the rear twice within a short period of time. Also at 4,000 when turning there was clucking noise in the front end of the truck. The front tires had a quarter inch cup in them. The upper ball joints were bad. The dealership replaced the ball joint but the problem recurred. The upper ball joint had to be replace again.
- Enfield, CT, USA
When driving brakes locked up, and vehicle was involved in a rear end collision. Then, vehicle caught on fire.
- Homosassa, FL, USA
When applying brakes unexpectedly brakes do not grab, causing extended stopping distance.
- Hoquiam, WA, USA
Only 27689 miles safety front end components failed power steering rack seal leaking fluid.sway bar bushings were replaced.seat right rear coming apart pass side plastic recliner handle broke my 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4 sport has had suspension problems, and brake problems. The upper and lower control arms and ball joints make a popping sound when step on brakes or make a sharp left turn. I now have 29900 miles and the pounding and noise have not stopped. Vehicle feels like you will loose control when going over bumps in the highway.
- Hartford, CT, USA
The consumer loss control of the vehicle when the brakes failed at 40 mph. The vehicle hit a tree and none of the airbags deployed.
- Rutland, OH, USA
When the consumer applied the brakes, the brake pedal traveled to the floor, which caused the consumer to lose control of vehicle and hit a tree. Consequently none of the airbags deployed.
- Rutland, OH, USA
The brakes of my Dodge Dakota started to pulse. I took it to the dealer at 24,000 miles and the rotors were worn to below minimum standards. The rear drums had to be cut. I drive highway with no towing and minimal stop go driving. I have never had a vehicle do this to me before so it is not my driving.
- Barre, MA, USA
My 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4 sport has had suspension problems, and brake problems. The upper and lower control arms and ball joints have been bad from day one. I now have 35,000 miles and the pounding and noise have not stopped. This seems to be a very common problem. Why not a recall?
- Stover, MO, USA
Rotors and drums worn to below oem replacement specifications in only 20,000 mi. With no towing involved. At issue for safety is whether or not the design of the rotors and drums are acceptable for the additional weight of the quad-cab line. The wear on my vehicle is unusually fast as I have owned the vehicle for only 7 months and drive mostly highway miles. The brake pads (linings) are still in good shape so, in my opinion, the composition and design of the rotors and drums on my vehicle are not safe. If this issue is not addressed there will be the possibility for numerous brake failures on this model in the next few years. The parts should be recalled and the rotors and drums should be redesigned.
- Frederick, MD, USA
Our 2002 Dodge Dakota 5-speed got stuck in a snow drift during our blizzard last week. After shoveling it out, I forgot to release the emergency brake before putting it into gear, now they are telling me the entire rear brake system is blown and it will cost $1200 to fix. Cherry creek Dodge has the truck, they tell me this is normal for this vehicle and they have several others in the shop with this problem now. It seems like a manufacturer defect for something little like this to cause so much damage to an expensive vehicle. I want an investigation into this problem, it sounds like I am not the only one the repair shops are milking lots of money from.
- Aurora, CO, USA
2002 Dodge Dakota (18,000 mi), 4WD, V8, X-cab. Brakes warped. I had a 1999 Dodge Dakota (38,000 mi), 2wd, V6, X-cab that the brakes warped and had to be turned a total of 3 times before I sold the vehicle. The dealer states that this is normal usage for brakes.
- Suffolk, VA, USA
When consumer is at a stop, consumer states' when applying the brakes the brake pedal went to the floor.
- Tucsan, AZ, USA
- Salt Lake City, UT, USA