The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 30 mph, the heater stopped working in the vehicle. The dealer stated that the heater fan resistors melted and the wiring harness connected to the heater needed to be replaced. The dealer further stated that this was a common failure for this year, make, and model. A year prior to the failure, the heat resistors were replaced. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 120,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Earlier in the week the power door locks were working on and off. Two days later headlights started flashing on and off and making a clicking sound before they went out completely. Interior lights are also not working. Luckily, I was close enough to home and there was still enough twilight to make it home safely. I am going to bring the truck to dealer this week, but I read about a similar problem in the 2003 Dodge Dakotas.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

I experienced the same failure as many other 2002 Dodge Dakota owners in which the lights stop working or begin to flash without warning. In this instance, the parking lamps, instrument panel, and courtesy lamps flicker on and off. The headlights only seem to participate in the flashing part of the time. It appears likely the problem will be the central timer module, however due to cost I have not yet replaced it. I have determined the problem is neither the switch, relay, or lights. The symptoms are identical to those posting the central timer module defect.

- Pasco , WA, USA

First noticed the problem when I would forget to turn off my headlights after taking keys out. My inside light would start to blink also my warning for seat belts wasn't working. The last thing that happened was what alarmed me. I was traveling to work in the early morning with the headlights on. When I heard my low gas warning go off. All of a sudden my headlights started to blink on and off in sequence with the low gas warning. After work I check and the problem still existed then I filled up with gas and the lights worked fine. Took the vehicle to the dealer and they found that the central timer module was bad. Old part is not available it was just alarming for me and the driver in front of me when my lights started to blink I pulled and had to wait about 15 minutes for it to be light enough to get moving again.

- West Seneca , NY, USA

No known event or indication of failure occurred prior to incident. Headlights, dash lights, interior lights, fog lights, door locks, keyless entry, intermittent wipers all ceased to function. This occurred at dawn on a rainy day. Had this occurred during the evening hours an accident may likely have occurred. Repair pending.

- Easton, PA, USA

Timing control module, tcm is pulsing interior/exterior lights, windshield wipers, etc. To an off state at once per second continuously. When truck is parked, headlamp relay can be heard pulsing. The vehicle cannot be driven at night due to visual confusion and safety problems with other traffic. No apparent cause of failure. Truck has 18K miles and is only 4 years old. Other complaints indicate that tcm was replaced to fix problem. My concern is that the cause of failure may not be internal to tcm and replacing it will be an ongoing event. Has Dodge determined the cause of this module failure" is this not a design flaw since there have been several reports of the same problem"

- Annandale, NJ, USA

The lights on my 2002 Dodge Dakota started flashing and a few days later my lights, dash lights and power door locks stopped working. I have had 3 different auto mechanics look at it and no one can figure out what the problem is. My truck has 40,900 miles on it and no wrecks of any kind. My truck is an automatic.

- Taberg, NY, USA

2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4 - headlamps and console lights flicker on and off. This causes other vehicles to think you are flashing your lights at them and also you end up driving in complete darkness when this happens.

- Omro, WI, USA

2002 Dodge Dakota experiencing problems with the headlights, interior lights, windshield wipers, and the key fod access. The ti module has been replaced three times in the last five months.

- Seattle , WA, USA

Headlights not functioning. All interior lights not functioning, the wipers worked intermittently. The high, low selection for wipers does work. Keyless entry does not work. Contact has taken the vehicle to courtesy tire twice, then to bbc Dodge three times for all of these problems. This started around 11/26/04. Was told they thought it was a loose ground wire, second time they thought it was timer module part no#ti-8035033 and this module was replaced three times, probably four times as consumer is taking care again tomorrow. When the module is first put in everything works well for awhile or until it rains. Consumer states he notices that after it rains everything listed above stops working again. Consumer has contacted his attorney general to report this situation. The transmission made a harsh sound when it was placed into gear.

- Seatle, WA, USA

My 2002 Dodge Dakota SXT club cab has been in for service on 2/14/05, 2/23/05, 3/12/05, 3/26/05 and 4/9/05 for misfiring. It has had 3 fuel injectors 2, 3, and 4 replaced because they were leaking, and all the spark plugs replaced every time it has gone into service. To date, 4/18/05, the vehicle was still misfiring. On each occasion, the engine light came on, and each time, the dealership stated it was the same problem. I have had the dealership at my expense to flush the fuel injector system, and have had service automatic transmission. I have also had the dealership, under warranty, to replace a failing master cylinder on 1/26/05. I anticipate I will be back at the dealership sometime this weekend, as I am sure the engine light will come on again.

- Houston, TX, USA

During heavy rain the air bag light would illuminate on the dashboard. A day or so after the rain had passed the light would go off. The consumer is concerned that the air bag may not protect him during an accident. The consumer stated each time he took the vehicle to the dealership, they found a loose connection with the seat belt system under the passenger seat. The adjustments would last anywhere from 90 days to a year. The last time the consumer took the vehicle in to the dealership, they found an open circuit within the passenger side seat belt. Updated consumer is still having an issue the air bag. Updated 9/22/08 updated 09/23/08.

- Houston, TX, USA

Consumer was concerned that the vehicle started up, and the headlights came on by themselves while parked in the garage, which was attached to the house. Dealer was not notified.

- Saint Marys, OH, USA

There are so many problems that it is hard to really point one out that I am most concerned with. First of all it started with the transmission problem. Then it lead into what the manufacturer says is an electrical problem. Then the replacement of the entire fuel delivery system. Now we are at a standstill since they say that it is working as designed. They also say that it is expected to see the erratic behavior from the motor. I am confused since they say that the computer adjusts and then it won't allow the car to run at optimal effectiveness. Does this mean that it is designed to run at less than optimal effectiveness? I have had a smell come out of the air as though the vehicle was completely flooded. The front suspension makes threatening sounds and the back wobbles like a serpent. The brakes jitter and I have had to pay for rentals at times when the manufacturer approved the reimbursement. The statement for denial of reimbursement was "the after market alarm caused it". they were the sponsors and initiators of this company since I bought it at the dealership included in my price.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

While driving, the vehicle would stalled. The driver tried to restart, but was unable to start. The driver noticed on more than one occasion while turning on the lights. The interior, and exterior lights would come on and off on its own. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the problem could not be determine. Please fill in additional information.

- Bellerose, NY, USA

Noisy and unpredictable sound coming from suspension. Warning light remains on. Stalls and surges unpreditabley. Reduced gas mileage. Eratic electronic behavior, stops and restarts. Even has eratic alarm responses.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

In Oct.2002 my truck shut off while driving down the road. In the past the truck had shut off in reverse or when I was at a dead stop and then press the gas, but this time I had to drive with my foot on the gas and the brake at the same time and then put it in neutral at a stop to keep the gas going. I had also had a problem with my blinkers. You turn the left one on and occasionally the right one will blink to-like "hazard lights". my dash board would also light up while driving or even when I come to a stop at a light. I put it off until the driving down the road. The dealership said it was a computer problem and the truck had been doing it since day 1, they couldn't find the problem to the blinkers. Also the A/C condesation line had a crack in it and was leaking into my passenger side floor-that was a second trip. Now my truck is haveing the same shut-off problem starting just like it did last time-so now I am looking into the "lemon law", it seems to apply so far.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Consumer states vehicle special ordered with power windows and locks stalled out 3 times. Dealer replaced blown ignition fuse, replaced fuse that shorten relating to the installation of the power windows and locks and replaced a mis-routed wiring in the ignition switch. In addition, the electric locks do not work, and the light switch must be jiggled in order to turn the lights off. Consumer is requesting replacement of another Dakota (slt) model.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

ABS light came on while driving, shortly after the brake light came on as well. Vehicle taken to dealer, ABS light keeps coming on intermittantly. Dealer determined there was an electrical short and repaired this. At this time the ABS light has come on again. Nlm

- Sturtevant, WI, USA