10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,550 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Dodge Dakota:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #2

May 142005

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 37,600 miles
Driving <30min at 20-50mph, towing a light trailer, while turning into driveway, depressed clutch, pedal went to floor and stayed down, drove 100 yards further, parked, opened hood. Flames were visible from under firewall below brake and clutch hydraulics and visible behind left front tire. Flame heights were ~6 - 10 inches. Moved other vehicles from area and extinguished fire with dry chemical extinguisher. Chrysler found clutch asy hose melted, evap hose melted, and fuel line damaged from fire. Chrysler replaced the hyd clutch acy, replaced evap hoses and flex fuel line. Chrysler did an independent special investigation and concluded they had "no manufacturing responsibility". chysler submitted bill for $526.54 to allstate. Allstate payed claim. Owner's opinion is that plastic clutch hydraulic line failed, spraying hydraulic fluid on nearby exhaust, igniting fluid and plastic parts and other flammable materials. Investigator photographed all critical areas but Chrysler did not return old parts.

- Fairbanks, AK, USA

problem #1

Feb 012005

Dakota

  • Manual transmission
  • 29,500 miles
2002 Dodge Dakota had work performed on the clutch.** answer required***. the consumer did not believe that a 3 year old vehicle with less than 30,000 should require a clutch replacement. The consumer is seeking full reimbursement.

- Berkley , MI, USA