Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
My 2002 Dodge Dakota sometime will not go into park. other times it will jump out and go into reverse. this has caused my vehicle to roll backwards and destroyed neighbors mailbox. to get it into park takes several tries. I now must use my parking brake anytime I am parked.
June of 2006, my fifteen year old son was sitting in my 2002 Dodge Dakota listening to the radio. My wife heard a crash and when we ran out to investigate, the truck was down an embankment. What kept the truck from flipping over was that it slammed into a tree from the rear and was pinned. Police, ems and an ambluance was called to the scene to rescue him the truck. My son was unconscious and only slightly responsive to voice commands. He was taken to william beaumont hospital in royal oak, michigan where he was admitted for tests and x-rays. He has a closed head injury and suffers from headaches and has to examined and treated periodically. I did not think anything more about the accident until a television news report confirmed that there was a recall for Chrysler (trucks) jumping out of gear. I was not getting any cooperationfrom the local dealership or from Chrysler. …
Driving <30min at 20-50mph,towing a light trailer, while turning into driveway, depressed clutch, pedal went to floor and stayed down, drove 100 yards further, parked, opened hood. Flames were visible from under firewall below brake and clutch hydraulics and visible behind left front tire. Flame heights were ~6 - 10 inches. Moved other vehicles from area and extinguished fire with dry chemical extinguisher. Chrysler found clutch asy hose melted, EVAP hose melted, and fuel line damaged from fire. Chrysler replaced the hyd clutch acy, replaced EVAP hoses and flex fuel line. Chrysler did an independent special investigation and concluded they had "no manufacturing responsibility". Chysler submitted bill for $526.54 to allstate. Allstate payed claim. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. While applying pressure to the brakes, the vehicle attempted to stop and then drastically jerked forward. The contact placed the vehicle into neutral. In addition, while approaching a traffic sign, the vehicle jerked forward and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle must be shifted into neutral in order for it to completely stop. The dealer stated that he needed to rebuild the transmission, even though the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign id number 07V555000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift). However, repairing that component alone would not correct the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000 and current mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. When attempting to drive the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift out of gear. When the shifter finally shifted out of gear and into drive, it would shift back into park. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to keffer Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (located at 8214 e independence blvd, charlotte, nc 28227, [phone]) where the contact was informed that they would need to take the steering column apart, grease it up, and put it back together because the vehicle was not under a warranty nor included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 211,000.
My truck will not go into park all other gear selections are available but no park. Additionally I'm able to turn the key back to the off position & take the key out. I pulled into work & was unable once I pulled into a parking place to put my truck into park. I ended up having to stay with my vehicle foot on the brake until someone blocked my wheels with a piece of firewood because the parking brake has also failed. Chrysler has a recall for 2001 & 2002 models for this very issue. After calling the dealer & Chrysler my truck is surprise* not covered under recall g28. I no longer feel safe as this truck is my only method of transportation. Chrysler needs to honor their recalls!
The shifter will not move from park position. I contacted Chrysler due to the recall for that specific problem with that year model. They informed me that it is VIN # related problem (it is a specific VIN numbers that it is related to). I informed them that I'm experiencing the same exact same problem that all sites, reports and blogs are talking about. The final answer is to take my car to be diagnose, depending on the report they May or May not pay for the repairs. How it is different this problem from the problem that I'm having?!
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. On several occasions, the vehicle failed to disengage from the park position. The contact also stated that, when placed in park position, the vehicle would roll forwards or backwards on several occasions. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V555000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 99,999.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that her vehicle rolled out of the driveway and crashed while parked. The crash damaged the rear bumper and tailgate. The dealer stated that they would not repair the vehicle until she notified her insurance company. NHTSA campaign id number 07V555000 (powertrain: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift) was referenced. The current and failure mileages were 64,924.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system May become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "park" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "lock" position).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Transmission complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Dodge Dakota, 13% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (40 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Dakota transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-555 (column shift, Dec 4, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Dakota transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.