Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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. I immediately turned around went back to the dealership, they kept it for 4 more days, then told me they didn't know what the what was and couldn't fix it. I been driving just about everyday since with this problem. I tried contacting Dodge, they were suppose to have a regional rep contact me, that never happened. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH when he noticed a burning odor. The contact then noticed smoke coming from under the dashboard area. The contact disconnected the blower from the resister. The dealer was notified of the failure who informed the contact to call the manufacturer. The manufacture was contacted who advised the contact that they would reimburse him for the parts needed to repair the failure but not for the labor costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
Purchase 02 Dodge Dakota report brakes 3 time Dodge found now problems . Brakes,crash no injuries,also @40K miles intake leak,water pump @36 Dodge will not help with any repair cost they say its out side of warranty.
Dt: the contact had a problem with the oil pressure staying on high most of the time since August 12, 2002. In September 2002 the OBD light came on. She kept taking vehicle to the dealer to be repaired. Every time she took it in to a dealership they would say that there was no problem. While driving in August 2005 the oil pressure dropped, causing the vehicle to die. The contact heard a sound, the check engine light came on ,and then three seconds later it died. Afterwards, she took it to a dealership, and they said that it was due to lack of maintenance. The contact has copies of most of the oil changes. The contact has the oil changed every 3,000 miles. She found that there are many other people having the same problem online. The dealership told the contact that there was sludge in the engine. And that the whole engine needed replacement. . …
I have had several alarming failures with my Dodge Dakota quad cab. It is a 2002 v6 auto transmission pw pl. I have had the ball joints replaced because of the recall, my transmission has failed (twice), my front hubs & spindles completely disintegrated and could have killed my family, my water pump has failed and had to be replaced, the driver side taillight seems to fail often, the vacuum hoses have all had to be replaced because of the cheap rubber used by the manufacturer fail by cracking and causing all sorts of leaks causing engine lights, loud noises under the hood, and horrible gas mileage. I have done everything possible to be proactive in my maintenance of the vehicle. I have had the major repairs done professionally. I do not understand how a 2002 vehicle can have so many potentially fatal problems and be ignored. …
In oct.2002 my truck shut off while driving down the road. In the past the truck had shut off in reverse or when I was at a dead stop and then press the gas, but this time I had to drive with my foot on the gas and the brake at the same time and then put it in neutral at a stop to keep the gas going. I had also had a problem with my blinkers. You turn the left one on and occasionally the right one will blink to-like "hazard lights". My dash board would also light up while driving or even when I come to a stop at a light. I put it off until the driving down the road. The dealership said it was a computer problem and the truck had been doing it since day 1, they couldn't find the problem to the blinkers. Also the A/C condesation line had a crack in it and was leaking into my passenger side floor-that was a second trip. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. When starting the vehicle or after the vehicle becomes cold, the gear will not shift out of park for 30-40 minutes. While driving between 35-40 MPH, the engine light remained illuminated. The contact drove to the dealer and they replaced the battery, the gas emission canister, and the hose package for emissions, the timing chain, the manifold exhaust on the left side, and the insulator steering gear. The vehicle was still under warranty. When the contact retrieved the vehicle, it was rattling and revving up to 2,500 RPM's. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and remained there for over a month. When the vehicle was retrieved the second time, the alarm system was not working. The contact does not want to take the vehicle back to the dealer because everytime he gets the vehicle back something else fails. …
Have a 2002 Dodge Dakota with a 4.7 litre engine ,engine has severe oil sludge which cause my vehicle to break down. This has happened twice ,the first time I notice engine running hot,took it to my mechanic and he removed the valve covers and noticed severe oil sludge ,proceeded to take the engine apart and cleaned it and put it back together,this was less than 20,000 miles ago.we wenton a trip that was a bout 260 miles away ,it was a cold morning ,engine got hot and started running rough then we heard a loud noise then the truck start clanking under the hood. I took the valve covers off and it was clogged again. Now I have found out that this engine is famous for this problem and Chrysler knows it can you help.
Engine complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Dodge Dakota, 6% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Dakota engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Dodge Dakota, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Dakota engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.