Front rotors replaced at 35k (see odi #10200119). Only 8 months later, at 46,295 miles brakes started pulsing again. Took the vehicle back to the same dealer. They indicated the rotors had to be turned. Technician also suggested clean and adjust the rear brakes. Total cost was $137.
2002 Dodge Dakota brakes complaints
Page 4 of 8: complaints 71 to 100 of 213, newest first, as owners wrote them.
"pulsing" vibration in front end while braking. Dealer indicated the front rotors were "warped and pitted" and needed to be replaced. Vehicle only had 35,552 miles on it, but it was out of warranty because of time limit. Dealer did not cover under warranty. Cost of replacement $165.00.
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.
Brake failure. Brakes would not apply and consequently ran through a busy intersection at 50 MPH barely avoiding crossing traffic and stopped traffic. Found missing caliper pad. Replaced all pads on front and turned the rotors. Also replaced the rear cylinder seals. 1 week later right front brake severely overheated and was red hot after a seven mile commute home with only seven stops at low speed (normal braking). Mechanic found evidence of burned outer edge of rotor. Pads actuated normally. Re-turned right rotor to verify no warping had occurred. No parts required. Brakes have lost some stopping power since before the first incident and my confidence has been effected. Cost of repairs $400+.
Front brake caliber locked up. Stop and go traffic and brakes locked up.
The front right brake calipers locked up on the vehicle causing the brakes to be applied without pressing on the brakes. After replacing the right calipers, rotor (warped from heat), and brake hose, 12 miles away, the left caliper locked up. This is a huge safety issues because the brakes are applied without the intention of the driver.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 dodge durango. When the contact engaged the brakes and the ABS took over. The brakes squeaked and did not immediately stop the vehicle unless the contact took foot off the pedal and applied the brake again. The contact removed the ABS fuse and the brakes worked normally. However, the speedometer was also connected to that fuse so the speed was not registering correctly without the fuse. The contact was driving 45mp at the time of the failure.
Tl* - the contact stated that while driving his 2002 dodge dakota on approximately december 15, 2006; while traveling at 40 MPH, the brakes failed and to avoid hitting another vehicle he struck a curb. The contact stated that the ABS does not engage properly. The contact stated that the brakes do not stop the vehicle during sudden stops. The dealer test drove the vehicle and stated it is operating as expected. The contact stated there have been no warning indicator lights. The vehicle has approximately 91,000 miles.
When I drove off with my parking break set it sheared off the grade 8 bolts that hold the brakes to the axle. Resulting in the rear brake assembly spinning and tearing off the brake lines and breaking the brake cable. I had no rear brakes or emergency brake. Cost $1200.00 to repair.
I set my parking brake. Forgot it was set and moved my truck the brake held to the point it broke all 8 bolts holding the backing plates causing the entire brake backing plate wheel cylinder, shoes and drum to spin breaking the brake lines and brake cable. Resulting in on rear brakes. The cost to repair $1219.83. Thank god it did not brake when I was driving on the highway.
Under normal driving conditions in the northeast I have experienced two separate instances where the front brakes would not disengage or remained partially engaged while driving. First failure at approximately 30,000 miles, mechanic found calipers to operate normally but replaced all pads and rotors due to heat damage evident on "passenger side" front. Second failure at approximately 35,000 again found calipers operating normally but replaced front brake line, brake fluid, pads and machined rotors. Mechanic unable to determine why the brakes freeze when everything appears to operate as designed.
No single incident. Many ABS braking problems every day. Replaced rotors, calipers, drums, brake shoes and rear sensor. Problem persists.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 1 MPH and attempting to park in a garage, a noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the right rear brake shoe lining was destroyed. Also, on the rear left side the bonded lining was separated. The contact stated the parking brake had never been used. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified.
Within 29,500. Total miles covered in 4.5 years, there have been 5 episodes when either the front left or front right brake partially seized, which caused the vehicle to veer to one side upon application of the brakes, and emitted smoke. Two dealers have offered no plausible cause or remedy. Original brake pads, both front and rear, and the front discs and read drums were found to be badly worn at a mere 20,000. Miles of light service resulting in all pads being replaced and the rotors and drums being turned. Now at 29, 500. Miles the front rotors are showing signs of warpage. Ok, I'm not an expert, but I've driven about 15 vehicles over a total of a million miles and my feeling is that these brakes are undersized and constantly run too hot. The short brake life is nothing short of astounding. As the dealers seems stumped, my next move is to install racing brakes on the front complete with multiple piston calipers and drilled and slotted rotors. I'm betting that the smoking episodes will stop. One look at this vehicles complaints is all the federal safety agency should have to see that there is a design problem, here.
Dodge dakota and durango years 2000 to 2003 that I know of from me and my friends. I have a 2002 dakota and when the anti lock brakes engage the vehicle surges forward do to engine idle speed most likely from booster vacuum dump off. I am a ase certified mech and I understand how the ABS brakes are suppose to react when applied. My friend has an earlier model durango and has the same problem.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH the front brakes locked up without warning. The road was dry and the braking condition was normal. The contact further stated the brakes felt sluggish, as if riding on a flat tire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the master cylinder, rotors and pads were replaced which corrected the problem.
2002 dodge dakota purchased new 10/2001. March 2004 noticed grinding noise when applying brakes. Brakes were metal against metal. Dealer replaced rotors and pads (and charged for service) at 20940 miles. March 2006, noticed pulsing when applying brakes. Different service center said rotors were rusted and replaced; also cleaned and adjusted rear brakes and performed front caliper "slider service." mileage 40239. I believe brakes should last more than two years and/or 20000 miles.
2002 dodge dakota, 4 wheel drive,81,180 miles, front brakes seized. Had all brakes replaced on aug 31, 2005. On november 10, 2005 left front rotor and pads seized, alert driving prevented possible vehicle. March 10, 2006, right front rotor seized and once again my alertness prevented another possible vehicle fire. This will be the fourth time the rotors and/or pads have been replaced on this vehicle.
Abs system causing steering wheel oscillation; brake rotors and pads replaced, no change. Rear ABS pulsating causing rear axle to vibrate enough to momentarily lift rear tires off pavement. Neither problem extant during rain conditions. Problem intermittent: approx 30% of the time for front only; approx 60% for rear only; both conditions simultaneously, mixed.
While driving at various speeds up to 55 MPH the truck began pulling to the left and deceleration was much greater than normal. At this time I decided to pull off the road to investigate. Noticed lots of heat coming from drivers side disk break. When restarting and moving forward the truck stopped very quickly. The failure was, the caliper did not retract, causing the disc brake to overheat and it seized up. This failure could cause the truck to pull left into on coming traffic. A tragedy could come of this if this failure is not corrected. The truck dealer had no explanation but noticed other worn parts that should be replaced unrelated to the brake failure.
Making a right hand turn when a sudden grinding noise occurred. Upon straightening the wheels, it stopped. Was approx 3 miles from my mechanic so I went there and had him look at it. He found the left side hub bearing assembly had completely failed (bearing exposed and badly damaged). He was unable to separate the brake rotor disk from the hub as it was so badly corroded that it had become one. Upon checking the right side hub assy, it was found to have failed as well with the brake rotor disk in the same condition. Both sides were replaced and a complete brake job done to make the vehicle safe to operate. The vehicle has less than 92000 miles and I am the original owner. I was told that I was lucky that I did not loose the left wheel because of the failure as I had just returned from work (50 miles one way) which is all highway driving.
I have had a warped rotor on the right front side 3 times now. It was turned twice, replaced once, and now it's warped again. I'm facing replacing the calipers and rotors upfront. I have heard several other dodge dakota owners complain about this, so obviously, they have a supplier that is not up to par. This shaking is dangerous - with ABS, a wet road, and some clown pulling in front of you, the warpage does very strange things with the ABS - and you really have to stomp on the brakes to override the ABS feature. I've owned mopar products exclusively since 1981; I doubt seriously that I'll ever buy another one.
The brake rotor on my 2002 dodge dakota continuously warp. I had them turned at 30,000 by the dealer and now I going to replace them at 42,000. I do not tow anything with my truck or use hard braking. I've read multiple message board with hundreds of people having the same problem. Dodge says it's not an equipment problem, but obviously it is. I would hope the federal safety agency would investigate this problem and have dodge correct it. Dodge has put the wrong material on these truck and thousands of people are affected, but dodge does not want to take the responsibility.
Dt: while applying the brakes at no particular speed there was abnormal operation of the windshield wipers, horn, and lighting system. All of them came on and off all by themselves. The consumer has not taken vehicle to a dealer but planned to do so. The consumer was referred to an independent mechanic, and he could not determine the cause of the problem. No corrections or repairs have been made. No explanation as to why this occurred. This only happened when brake pressure was applied. The federal safety agency recall 03v389000 was issued but it was for the manual transmission vehicles only-the consumer has an automatic transmission.
2002 dodge dakota brake calipers lock up, the date below is not the first time this happened to me. The first time was on april 20th 2005, the left caliper locked up. I had that caliper replaced. The second time the right caliper locked up on the right side on june 3rd 2005. Now the third time around and I have information that I am not the only one. On august 12th I paid for a tow charge and came close to a fire. One of the other people that informed me of the same problem had there caliper catch fire. I hope this information helps. I had no luck with the manufacturer. I will try and have them hold this caliper for you to look at. Thanks.
2002 dodge dakota right front wheel bearings and the hub needed to be replaced.*mr the consumer experienced intermittent problems with the air conditioner. Hot spot on the front rotors caused pulsation when braking. The vehicle's transmission made noise and intermittent delayed shifting. The right front hub and bearing were replaced. The right front outer tie rod end was replaced. The left front upper ball joint was replaced.
The front left brake caliper on my 2002 dodge dakota siezed up causing the left front wheel to overheat to the point of smoking.the brake fluid was ruined, the pads destroyed,the rotor damaged, and the wheel bearing grease broken down. Fair oaks dodge of fairfax va had no explanation for this incident. They repaired the damage at my expense with only the calipers covered under warrenty. This is not the only instance of daimler chrysler brakes failing in this manner. Please look into this matter. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Thought I would "buy american" and get the dodge dakota 4 dr crew. Love its style, comforts, more power than I need (4.7l v8) 2wd has no traction in snow or ice. Very easy to drive and comfortable 6ft.2 220lbs.(2 trips nj to calif.) gas mileage stinks...13-18mpg, no loads. Brake rotors replaced 28k, left top ball joint worn (no recall yet)A/C needed charging, right front hub and bearings replaced 49k, rear leaf spring noisy, transmission hesitation occasionally. Great truck to drive and haul but reliability really in question with only 49k. Probably back to nissan or toyota.
Dt: while driving consumer saw smoke and the vehicle began to pull to the left and was shaking. The brakes locked up and it was difficult for the consumer to get the vehicle to move. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic but he couldn't get the vehicle's wheels to move. The mechanic told the consumer that the problem was that the calipers froze and the brake pads were so hot they appeared to be ready to catch on fire. The consumr had the problem repaired. The dealer claimed to know nothing about the failure and told the consumer to call the federal safety agency. The manufacturer has not been contacted yet.*ak
I love this vehicle, however will join the masses reporting a failed upper ball joint at 55,000 miles, 3 sets of warped front brake discs and lack of proper braking for the ABS system.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Dodge Dakota?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history