2002 Dodge Dakota: check engine light

Filed Jan 23, 2008 · Engine · 79,700 miles · OH

Tl*the 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. The current mileage was 80,552 and failure mileage was 79,700.

Filed Jul 19, 2007 · Transmission · 36,561 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota quad cab. While driving 25 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer the following day. The dealer stated that the transmission and valves failed and that the clutch and valves needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 36,561. Updated 09/05/07

Filed Apr 20, 2007 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · GA

Bought 2002 slt quad cab dakota new from dealership. First experienced truck stalling while driving on roadways (very dangerous!), without warning and without check engine light coming on. Sometimes, it would also stall if put into drive/reverse from a parked position. Had truck towed at least twice, because I was afraid to drive it home because it was stalling too many times. Took in to dealership three times. Since engine light wasn't on, diagnostic test couldn't determine problem readily; problem was intermittent. Over the course of the first two visits to dealership, I had tune-up, throttle body cleaned, new distributor plate, new oil pan gasket. By the third time, I had the entire powertrain control module replaced: the "brain" of the truck, as the mechanic put it to me. This should not happen when a brand-new truck is only four years old; the "brain" should not die that soon. That is unacceptable, especially if the PCM/stalling problem is considered "characteristic." all of this cost me about $2,500. The quality of this truck has not, and still does not, meet my expectations. The truck is too young to be having these sorts of problems. I expect to put thousands of dollars into a 10 year-old truck, not a four year-old truck. I am also experiencing transmission issues with the truck not shifting properly. I will outline that in separate complaint.

Filed Nov 23, 2006 · Engine, Fuel system · 50,000 miles · OK

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. I have searched high and low for quality bulletins but cannot find anything. My gas mileage is now down to 14 mpg and the truck is falling apart.

Filed Oct 17, 2005 · Engine · 447 miles · FL

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. . The contact called the customer service of dodge ,and they said that it was covered under warranty. The area representative told dodge that there was sludge in the engine and that there was lack of maintenance, and that the warranty expired.

Filed Apr 18, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 24,800 miles · TX

My 2002 dodge dakota sxt club cab has been in for service on 2/14/05, 2/23/05, 3/12/05, 3/26/05 and 4/9/05 for misfiring. It has had 3 fuel injectors 2, 3, and 4 replaced because they were leaking, and all the spark plugs replaced every time it has gone into service. To date, 4/18/05, the vehicle was still misfiring. On each occasion, the engine light came on, and each time, the dealership stated it was the same problem. I have had the dealership at my expense to flush the fuel injector system, and have had service automatic transmission. I have also had the dealership , under warranty, to replace a failing master cylinder on 1/26/05. I anticipate I will be back at the dealership sometime this weekend, as I am sure the engine light will come on again.

Filed Jul 13, 2004 · Engine · 54,000 miles · LA

On our way to the hospital (after dark) when the oil pressure went to '0' and check engine light came on. Truck started slowing down (as if downshifted) and smoking. About the time we got to the shoulder of the road it backfired and a flash came from the back of the truck and it died. I have a 2002 dodge dakota. We had to call 911 and get a deputy to pick us up and take us to the hospital.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · 35,305 miles · TX

While driving, noticed that the check engine light was on and the oil pressure gauge was incorrect. Notified dealer of this issue and also an issue with grinding noise when turning left or right. The dealer has replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the front and even admitted that they have seen a high failure rate for this. Also they replaced the vacuum tube harness under the gas tank. The oil pressure gauge sensor was loose and was corrected.

Filed Mar 16, 2004 · Engine · 22,200 miles · MA

At just 22,200 miles truck in for third time for engine light being on. This time the thermostat was broken. Less than 1000 miles since the last time it was on, last time the canister hose was cracked.