10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,567 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

Oct 112004

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,134 miles
Reported a popping sound on the right front of vehicle to dealership appro. One year ago, informed nothing was wrong. Upon a personal inspection during a routine oil change I noted that the right upper control arm ball joint had prematurely failed.(current vechicle mileage 16,000) purchased replacement control arm and installed per manufactuers instructions. I have saved the old part. My concern in this matter is, if these same parts are used on both Dodge Dakotas and Dodge durangos and this part is prone to premature failure, what will be the end result?

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1

Dec 052003

Dakota

  • 65,000 miles
While driving 25 mph, the consumer heard a noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. A few seconds later the vehicle went to one side and collided with a tree. The consumer was knocked unconscious in the collision. The cause of the collision was the spindle and the wheel separated from the vehicle. The manufacturer and the dealer were aware of the problem.

- Maurepas, LA, USA