2002 Dodge Dakota Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 678 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 124,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Dodge Dakota, 1% of the 678 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought the subject pickup in 2014, I found after driving it that the engine would lose power, wouldn't idle smoothly, and it would backfire thru the throttle body electronic fuel injection. The problem was and is intermittent, it sometimes happens when pulling into traffic, making me trying to pull over to the curb. I took it the local Dodge dealership [rocky top Dodge, sevierville tn] to have it fixed, they tuned it up, cleaned the throttle body and a few other things and said it was ok. I paid them $650+, pulled out of the dealership, and there it was doing the same thing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10885228, filed 2016-07, 124,000 miles“While I was traveling uphill the engine shut off as I was going over the freeway overpass to enter the south bound freeway entrance. I lost all power steering and brakes and had just enough power to roll downhill past the freeway entrance to turn on a street to roll to a stop just as I turned the corner. Thank goodness I wasn't on the freeway when this happened or have any cars in front of me as I was rolling downhill because I didn't have brakes. I tried to start the engine and got no power, but noticed the mileage reader said no bus . I had the truck towed home. …”
NHTSA complaint #10614776, filed 2014-07, 153,000 miles“This 2001 Dodge Dakota comes up with code p0601 it says it is a memory check sum error. It comes on intermittent in cold weather. If you clear the code it might come right back or it might stay off it is annoying sometimes it messes with the ABS making the front right brake hang up”
NHTSA complaint #11309374, filed 2020-02Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2009 | 2 | 11% |
| 2008 | 3 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 11 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 7 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1998 | 5 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2002 Dodge Dakota
226 complaintsBrakes
213 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
89 complaintsElectrical system
52 complaintsSteering
44 complaintsEngine cooling
34 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsExterior lighting
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsTires
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology