Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota quadcab. While driving at approximately 10 MPH, the front brakes locked and the vehicle would only accelerate at a very low speed. The contact stated there was an extremely strong burning rubber smell. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis and was not repaired. The failure occurred once before and was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The failure and current mileages were 73,000. Updated 11/19/10 the consumer stated the front brakes locked up. Updated 11/23/10. Updated evoq 12/22/10 the consumer stated the brakes locked up again on July 18,2011. The consumer also stated while under the 30 day warranty, the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Updated 08/31/11 updated 10/20/11,.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to move with out the ignition being started. The contact also stated that the key could be removed from the ignition and the vehicle could still be moved or pushed without the engine being started or without the gear being in drive. Also, the key sometimes would not stay in the ignition and hanged loosely. There were no waning indicators illuminated. The contact called samuel's Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Mazda (1421 e 30th ave, hutchinson, ks 67502, [phone]), but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 115,000. The VIN was invalid.
I was driving and the lights started flashing and then they went all the way out and the dome light and keyless entry isn't working. It finally wouldn't start and so we bought a new battery, and the lights came on and then the next day the lights were off again. The battery that was in the truck was too small and we told the dealer and they said that the lights weren't working because we put a bigger battery in it, we put the right size battery. The other day we came home and the cargo lights were on by themselves. I am afraid to drive it for it catching on fire. We only had the truck 2 and half months. We paid $6300 for it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. While driving 50 MPH on the highway, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to galeana's van dyke Dodge (28400 van dyke ave, warren, mi 48093, [phone]) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was under recall for the gear shifter, and that the gear shifter and the ignition needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
The body control module has failed, which controls all the interior lights and the headlights. As of a month ago there were over 150 people waiting on this part in Chrysler's system. Chrysler has now informed me this part is no longer available and will not be made again, which renders my truck only safe to drive in the daytime. They say to go to the aftermarket, but there are no aftermarket companies making this computer module. My FCA case number was 30705404
A power port inside of a center console had a device plugged into it and the vehicle started on fire. The start of the fire was traced to the plug in inside of the center console. The fusible link/fuse never blew and so the vehicle sustained $4000 worth of damage before the fire was put out.
This has been a recurring problem since approximately 8,000 miles on the new vehicle. Single owner/reporting complaint. Heater blower fan has stopped working numerous times. The first time the dealer replaced the blower fan itself. The next time the blower motor resistor failed and consumer replaced paying out of pocket. A third time the blower motor resistor failed and again the consumer replaced it paying out of pocket. The fan now operate intermittently and if you wiggle the wiring harness connecting to the blower motor resistor the fan will come on and operate on 3 of the 4 speeds. Close examination of the harness connector reveals that the harness connector is melted as is the wiring at the connector. Contact with two different dealers reveals that this is a known concern and the manufacturer has a repair kit available part# 5017124ab. …
There are so many problems that it is hard to really point one out that I am most concerned with. First of all it started with the transmission problem. Then it lead into what the manufacturer says is an electrical problem. Then the replacement of the entire fuel delivery system. Now we are at a standstill since they say that it is working as designed. They also say that it is expected to see the erratic behavior from the motor. I am confused since they say that the computer adjusts and then it won't allow the car to run at optimal effectiveness. Does this mean that it is designed to run at less than optimal effectiveness? I have had a smell come out of the air as though the vehicle was completely flooded. The front suspension makes threatening sounds and the back wobbles like a serpent. …
While driving on interstate 24, near clarksville, tn, at 2015 hours, my headlights completely shut off while driving. After a span of 15-20 seconds with no lights, I had to unsafely pull over on the shoulder of the road. After which my headlights began to flicker on and off, for spans of 1-3 seconds. From the time of the first incident to now, my headlights, internal lights, windshield wipers, and tail lights are all inoperable and unsafe to drive during bad weather conditions, or limited viability due to light. From my research this is an extremely frequent problem with Dodge Dakota and Dodge durango owners, with vehicles made between the years of 01' - 03'. I contacted Dodge about the problem and requested assistance, and they were unwilling to help or fix the problem, even though I told them it was unsafe, and that my situation was not an isolated incident. …
The "security light" on dash was flashing and when it is on the headlights go off and dash lights goes dark and turn signals/brake lights comes on. When security light is off the headlights goes on the dash lights are on and turn/brakes lights goes off. This security light ( on dash) will flash on and off every second or will go on solid - if on solid headlights, dash lights will be off - dome light on and turn/brake lights on. This will happen until vehicle is warmed up to 20 degrees ambient temp. The problem is with the "TCM module" on this vehicle. It does not effect the engine or drive train only the lights ! You can be driving when this happens ! People will thing you are an emergency vehicle or crazy ! …
Related 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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Dodge Dakota, 8% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Dakota electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-389 (wiring, Oct 10, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Dakota electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.