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Model Year Problem Record

Dodge Dakota 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Dodge Dakota: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

678Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
5Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
94Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Suspension300 complaints

300 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V596000.

Brakes240 complaints

240 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train93 complaints

93 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 07V555000.

Electrical System54 complaints

54 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V389000.

Steering48 complaints

48 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility21 complaints

21 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V216000.

Vehicle Structure18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment12 complaints

12 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V505000.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V389000Reported October 10, 2003 - 50,082 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on October 10, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 50,082 vehicles across all affected models.

03V505000Reported December 10, 2003 - 35,692 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on December 10, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 35,692 vehicles across all affected models.

04V216000Reported May 5, 2004 - 320,188 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on May 5, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 320,188 vehicles across all affected models.

04V596000Reported December 21, 2004 - 592,707 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on December 21, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 592,707 vehicles across all affected models.

07V555000Reported December 4, 2007 - 576,418 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on December 4, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 576,418 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA03023Opened November 19, 2003 - Closed February 11, 2005

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 04V596000.

EA03023Opened November 19, 2003 - Closed February 11, 2005

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 04V596000.

EA03023Opened November 19, 2003 - Closed February 11, 2005

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 04V596000.

EA03023Opened November 19, 2003 - Closed February 11, 2005

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 04V596000.

EA03023Opened November 19, 2003 - Closed February 11, 2005

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 04V596000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20013
200245
2003118
2004202
200583
200633
200728
200830
200917
201022
201122
20128
20139
201421
201510
20165
20178
20186
20194
20201
20211
20221
20251
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.