2002 Dodge Dakota: engine overheating

Filed Sep 5, 2013 · Brakes · 88,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the front brake overheated and seized while driving. The contact replaced the front rotors and the brake pads however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 88,000. Updated 10/17/13

Filed Oct 20, 2011 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the front rotors and brakes overheated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times for the failure. Where the dealer replaced the front brake pads, rotors, hoses and the brake lines, but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle continued to overheat and the vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 45,000. Updated 11/16/11 *bf updated 03/08/12

Filed Jul 14, 2011 · Brakes · 17,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the front passenger side brake caliper needed to be replaced. The caliper was replaced once in the past because it would fail to release completely after the brakes were engaged, allowing the brakes to overheat. The caliper would not release until the vehicle was allowed to cool off. The vehicle was taken back to an authorized dealer after the second occurence where it was not repaired because the failure was no longer covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 17,000 and the current mileage was 32,000.

Filed Apr 17, 2009 · Brakes · 96,005 miles · GA

Left front brake overheated, vehicle pulls hard to the left and very poor braking. Nearly had a bad accident at an intersection. Looked on the internet and found several other people had same problem. Will do my own maintenance when I found out the true fix.

Filed Mar 2, 2009 · Electrical, Visibility · 8,000 miles · MI

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. This is a manufacturer defect and should be a safety concern given that the harness failure can prevent the heater fan from functioning properly and cause immediate visibility concerns as well as potential overheating of the electrical circuit resulting in a fire. Dealers advise this is a frequently seen concern yet no assistance from manufacturer is available.

Filed Dec 16, 2008 · Brakes · FL

Bought truck new in 2002. Since then, the driver's side front caliper has seized up and locked that brake 4 times. The caliper squeezes the pad against the rotor causing the steering wheel to pull hard left, then the rotor overheats and smokes. I pull over before a fire starts. Have replaced calipers, pads, hoses, but symptoms still persist. I have to stop and wait until the brakes cool down (about an hour) before they function normally. Once I get to a repair shop, the brakes function normally and they tell me everything is fine. I looked online and found that I am not the only one this is happening to. On one site alone (http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/dakota/2002/brakes/brake_cylinder_lock-up.shtml) there are 15 others who are dealing with brake failure.

Filed Sep 13, 2007 · Brakes · 21,700 miles · NJ

After only 5 years and less than 22,000 miles, the front hydraulic brake lines from the frame to the caliper failed from intense rusting while the vehicle was on the road. Avoidance of a serious accident was only a matter of luck. The intense rust rate in the forward wheel well also caused brake pad release failures which caused increasing continuous drag and overheating of the brake and wheel assembly. No observation of the problem by dealer during ball joint recall work just 9 months prior to failure. Owner replaced hydraulic lines on both sides. Owner is now concerned with possible failure of front suspension components due to unusual rust rates.

Filed Mar 14, 2007 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · OH

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+.

Filed Jan 26, 2006 · Brakes · 42,733 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jul 20, 2005 · Brakes · 19,565 miles · VA

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).

Filed Apr 5, 2005 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · CA

I too have just had to replace the front rotors on my 02 dakota. I have never owned any vehicle where the rotors had to be replaced, with far more mileage than this truck(44k). The dealer says "they rotors are overheating" well if the truck is used mostly for freeway use, isnt hauling loads or towing, and its only weight is on the brakes, it would seem to the most ignorant that there is definately defective materials in the brake system.

Filed Sep 14, 2004 · Brakes · 43,000 miles · TN

Intermittently the brakes failed to release fully after being depressed. The brake pedal came back up when released, but the brakes dragged. When this occurred, the front rotors overheated. The dealership turned the front rotors, but the failure recurred a month later. This time the rear brake drums overheated. *ak *sc