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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (5)
Power train: automatic transmission, lever and linkage
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
Risk and remedy
Risk: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension: front, control arm
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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."
Risk and remedy
Risk: IMPROPERLY LOADING YOUR VEHICLE CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL OVERLAYS CONTAINING CORRECTED INFORMATION RELATIVE TO VEHICLE GAWR AND TIRE SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THIS COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN, AND, WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS AND REPAIR THE HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Canadian recalls (5)
Show 5 Canadian recalls
Other
2007-12-05 · campaign 2007-389
On certain vehicles, the ignition/park shift interlock system may become inoperable. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the PARK position with the ignition key removed (or in the lock position) or it could allow the ignition key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the PARK position. This could allow the vehicle to roll away, possibly causing property damage and/or personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly.
Suspension
2004-12-20 · campaign 2004-439
On certain four wheel drive vehicles, 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 progressively over an extended period of time. A worn upper ball joint could separate, causing a loss of vehicle control which may result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the upper ball joints with a revised assembly having improved sealing integrity. Two wheel drive models will be covered by an extended warranty of 10 years or 160,000 kms.
Other
2004-05-06 · campaign 2004-155
On certain vehicles, the windshield wiper motor assembly may become susceptible to water intrusion that could cause internal corrosion and result in partial or complete loss of front windshield wiping capability. Correction: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor with a revised version that contains a water shield.
Label
2003-12-19 · campaign 2003-341
On certain vehicles, the certification label does not meet the requirements of CMVSS 120. The Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) on the label exceeds the load carrying capacity of the minimum size tire listed on the label. Correction: Owners will be provided with vehicle certification label overlays containing corrected information relative to vehicle GAWR and tire size.
Electrical
2003-10-14 · campaign 2003-245
On certain vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, 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. Correction: Dealer will reroute the wiring harness.
Owner complaints (678)
Owners filed 678 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Dakota Pickup (55 crashes, 18 fires, 32 injuries, 2 deaths reported). Among 27 model years of this model, it ranks #2 for the most complaints (median 166).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Suspension | 226 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 177 | |
| Power train | 89 | |
| Electrical system | 52 | |
| Steering | 44 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 34 | |
| Air bags | 28 | |
| Service brakes | 26 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Dodge Dakota Pickup.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2002 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab | – | – | – | 3★ |
| 2002 Dodge Dakota 4-DR. Cab | – | – | – | 3★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2002 Dodge Dakota Pickup version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Dakota Pickup 2WD 2.5 L Manual 5-spd | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD 3.9 L Automatic 4-spd | 16 | 18 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD 3.9 L Manual 5-spd | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD 4.7 L Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD 4.7 L Manual 5-spd | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD 5.9 L Automatic 4-spd | 11 | 15 | 13 | $5,150 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD 3.9 L Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD 3.9 L Manual 5-spd | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD 4.7 L Automatic 4-spd | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD 4.7 L Manual 5-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD 5.9 L Automatic 4-spd | 11 | 15 | 12 | $5,600 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.