2002 Dodge Dakota Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 3%of 678 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Dodge Dakota, 3% of the 678 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had just purchased the car 2 weeks earlier. I was accelerating to merge onto the freeway and the accelerator stuck at 60 MPH. No matter what I did to the pedal, it was stuck at 60 MPH. The brakes would not work either. I was in a runaway car on a busy freeway. I tried to negotiate the traffic for 2 miles then decided I needed to get off the freeway. I started to smash into the freeway off-ramp retaining wall in the effort to slow the truck down which it did to some degree. …”
NHTSA complaint #10702732, filed 2015-03, 125,000 miles“I was turning left on to wax rd at a red light going up hill when it was raining the truck right rear tire broke traction put me in a fishtail lost control of the vehicle and flipped the truck on its top damaged the driver side bent the frame caved in the roof busted my windshield I was pulled out by an pedestrian but the airbag did not deploy none of the safety features did not work but the seat belt only. Where the throttle was sticking that gave the impression that I was playing carelessly.”
NHTSA complaint #10584102, filed 2014-04, 196,730 miles“The vehicle stalled while driving. The vehicle experienced the following: knocking in the suspension(4 attempts to fix), the vehicle pulled to the right, the driver door had a wind noise and water leaked, the tailgate handle was loose on the right side, the lower steering column coupled, and the upper control arm bolts were found loose.”
NHTSA complaint #10021656, filed 2003-05, 10,000 miles“The passanger side floor floods with about a gallon of water every week. So every week for the pase two months, I had to remove the carpet and soak up the water with towles. So far it cause is unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10025553, filed 2003-07, 14,000 miles“2002 Dodge Dakota club cab p/u has serious water leak to pass side floor. Dealer has had interior out of truck 4 times w/o fixing problem. I am personally aware of many other Dakota owners with same exact problem. This appears to be a model wide defect and Dodge has no interest in dealing with damaged owners. Could cause eleectric short/problems as wiring/wiring connections run under carpet on this side of truck. Dealer must have known of leak and failed to disclose to internet buyer and did best to minimize appearance of dampness by shampooing carpets for delivery - very dishonest!!!!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10053202, filed 2004-01, 24,431 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10175743Apr 30, 2020Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- 10220101Nov 20, 2019Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10220099Nov 20, 2019Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage…
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169249Nov 20, 2019Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10169245Nov 20, 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10220995Sep 3, 2014Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are…
- 10220994Sep 3, 2014Part Description: Insulator in Lever Assembly - Valve Body - Trans Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and an instruction sheet are now available as a…
- 10139596Sep 3, 2014Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are…
- 10139595Sep 3, 2014Part Description: Insulator in Lever Assembly - Valve Body - Trans Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and an instruction sheet are now available as a…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 2% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% |
| 2002 | 18 | 3% |
| 2001 | 11 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 1% |
| 1999 | 11 | 2% |
| 1998 | 19 | 3% |
| 1997 | 14 | 3% |
| 1996 | 18 | 10% |
| 1995 | 20 | 10% |
| 1994 | 7 | 4% |
| 1993 | 11 | 8% |
| 1992 | 13 | 6% |
| 1991 | 5 | 4% |
| 1990 | 4 | 6% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 3 | 5% |
| 1987 | 3 | 15% |
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 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsTires
14 complaintsEquipment
12 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