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#BS-2002-DODDAK-E5962002 Dodge Dakota
Based on reports from 946 owners and 12 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 946 complaints, 71 crashes, 23 fires, and 12 recalls.
Top reported problems
brake cylinder lock-up
28 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
brakes lock up
23 complaints • Severity 8.5/10
losing oil pressure sporatically
6 complaints • Severity 7.7/10
Preview: What's in your full report
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
162 owners reported suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint issues — failures commonly reported around 38K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (284 reports) • Median: 38K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint (162 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2002 Dodge Dakota: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint Issues
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint complaints account for 17% of all reports filed for the 2002 Dodge Dakota, with 162 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 38,400 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 38K-mile mark.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2002 Dodge Dakota, with 86 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint Issues
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2002 Dodge Dakota, with 69 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor Issues
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2002 Dodge Dakota, with 68 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2002 Dodge Dakota. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (12 recalls)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEADLAMP AND DASH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFED BY THE ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN OR LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) THAT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
+ 7 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Dodge Dakota is the 2000 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 946 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 12 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Dodge Dakota Model Years
2002 Dodge Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2002 Dodge Dakota Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 946 owner reports. Know before you buy.