Problems with 2002 Dodge Dakota POWER TRAIN

On 12, 27, 2001 i purchased from nemer chrysler/plymouth/dodge in queensbury, new york,12804 a 2002 dodge dakota, slt pick-up truck. thus far the valve body of the transmission was replaced on 12,19, 2002.*ak on 5,25,2004 with 26thousand + ,miles, the front brake rotors had to be replaced becasue of suspected poor workmanship and materials in the metal. (the pads with 26 thousand miles were in like new condition)

Took dakota to dealer for front and rear differential service (fluid change). dealer called and said rear differential (limited slpi) failed and had to be repaired. a pin slipped out of position and the rear differential was slowly destructing itself. i asked why this happened and was told it was paobably due to abuse. since i don't tow, take it off road or overload it this explanation does not make any sense. almost all of the milage is highway.

While driving on the highway at 40 mph transmission shifted into a low gear, and vehicle's speed decelerated to 8 mph. this occurred while consumer switched lanes to avoid hitting another motorist. dealership performed a diagnostic test and the failure code read a catastrophic internal failure.*ak

Consumer requesting reimbursement to repair a 2002 dodge dakota. consumer stated that he had this repair done in 2004 and would like reimbursement for the repair. *kb the consumer stated back in 2004 he experienced the same problem as described in the recall. he parked the vehicle, removed the key from the ignition, and exited the vehicle. the vehicle then rolled out of the driveway hitting a tree. the consumer was denied reimbursement, because according to dodge, he didn't notify them when the incident happened. *jb

At a full stop you feel like a "bump" in the transmission, or just like someone hit you from the back. it doesn't do it all the time. it normally happens when driving the vehicle for more than half hour in traffic or local roads with frequent stops. dealer haven't been able to reproduce the problem, which started at 1500 miles. they service the differential but the problem still persists. they haven't been willing to drive it enough even when i left the vehicle for them to try for more than 24 hours. vehicle now has 17,000 miles, has been serviced every 3000 miles in five start dealer.*ak

02 dakota sxt/3.9l/auto purchased 10-2003 from dealer at 23k miles. vibration from drive train started at 24040 miles between 45-50 steady mph. 1st dealer balanced the tires stating they could not duplicate problem. 2nd dealer replaced driveshaft stating out of balance from factory - no change in symptoms. back to 2nd dealer for trans flash program - no change. was told it was normal. back to 1st dealer - could not dup. took to trans shop. vibration goes away when out of overdrive - thrust bearing or torque converter bad in trans. no help from dealers or 800 customer service. *jb

While driving automatic transmission doesn't shift properly from the third to the fourth gear ,won't shift. dealer has inspected vehicle eight times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.*ak

Transmission not shifting properly for several blocks brakes are pulsating when makeing normal start, has 13500 miles. *ak

2002 dodge dakota parking safety failure: my 5 year old son was able to take the vehicle out of park while it was parked in our drive-way; neither ignition key was in the vehicle nor the brake pedal was pressed. the vehicle rolled back down the drive-way; luckily there were no injury or damage to the property. the dealer, carl gregory dodge in atlanta ga, fixed the problem. however, the dealer told me that they never seen this problem before and it took the dealer 4 days to figure out the problem. the manufacturer finally informed the dealer that it was a bad casting in the steering wheel column parts. this is a major safety issue and yet the dealer has no knowledge and there were no re-call. my friend also told me a similar incident that happened recently on dodge durango. the same thing happened and a little boy was killed. both vehicles use the same steering wheel column. dodge needs to make a recall on this problem.*ak

Consumer wanted transmission replaced. *ph nothing happened when the vehicle was placed in park and back into drive, the vehicle went from reverse to drive and the vehicle stalled, placed in park, then restarted. *sc

When backing out of the parking lot the vehicle did not accelerate. the vehicle was driven to the dealership. *ak this was an intermittent problem and would mostly occur in traffic. *scc *jb

Truck had problems of switicng into 2nd while driving at 70mph plus. had it looked at three times. in april the transnission went. the reverse gear blew up and blew into the case and aslo runined the radiator. thanks dodge !!

When putting vehicle into reverse or drive transmission stalls. *ak

Pickup truck drive train binds up during 2 wheel driving. the front axle (4x4) does not allow the front wheels to disengage. truck has been to the dealer 3 times and dodge says this is the way they all are. at 4272 miles the front tires show significant feathering, and is stalling out when driving around corners in low gear mode (@ intersections and parking spaces). dodge says that the front and rear axles are not limited slip but positive traction and recommends that i push in the clutch to keep from stalling. they want me to double-clutch to get through an intersection when i make left hand turns? i feel that this is a design error with safety implications. *nlm

The truck has had sever problems with acceleration and stalling. it also makes a clunking noise when turning the vehicle. there have been numerous amounts of problems with at leat 15 days total in the shop.

Unsafe condition involving the automatic transmission manifested itself at approximately 4,000 miles. while driving the vehicle the automatic transmission will enter overdrive mode at approximately 45-50mph. once this occurs the vehcile will no longer respond to light or moderate throttle pressure. if you apply a heavier pressure then the vehiclee drops down into passing gear and takes off. this presents a very unsafe and hazardous condition when attempting to enter a limited access highway or passing another vehicle, in that the vehicle power and acceleration is lost at the precise moment that the transmission drops into overdrive. the dealers fix was to replace the automatic transmission. unfortunately the new transmission has developed the same problem after only 3,000 miles. the new transmission also does not shift properly from 1st to 2nd gear when starting up in the morning. the engine revs and gains rpms but the transmission does not upshift until the vehicle has travelled 4-5 blocks.

There are so many problems that it is hard to really point one out that i am most concerned with. first of all it started with the transmission problem. then it lead into what the manufacturer says is an electrical problem. then the replacement of the entire fuel delivery system. now we are at a standstill since they say that it is working as designed. they also say that it is expected to see the erratic behavior from the motor. i am confused since they say that the computer adjusts and then it won't allow the car to run at optimal effectiveness. does this mean that it is designed to run at less than optimal effectiveness? i have had a smell come out of the air as though the vehicle was completely flooded. the front suspension makes threatening sounds and the back wobbles like a serpent. the brakes jitter and i have had to pay for rentals at times when the manufacturer approved the reimbursement. the statement for denial of reimbursement was "the after market alarm caused it". they were the sponsors and initiators of this company since i bought it at the dealership included in my price. *ak *tc

We purchased a new 2002 dodge dakota quad in dec. '02. within a few days, we noticed when first starting up in the morning, it clunked when putting in reverse, and it did not shift from 1st gear until we had gone 3-4 blocks. the engine was revving and the rpm's were increasing but the truck would not shift up to 2nd gear. we have taken it back to the dealer twice and they tell us they can find nothing wrong, which i know is not true.

Consumer states that the odometer reads lower than the vehicle is moving, causing the driver to go faster . ts

Front end linkage. transmission won't shift out. front end has a popping noise again ( same as before) transmission won't shift out and causes the motor to rev up considerably. *nlm

Transmission not shifting properly. shifts at 35 mph and then winds out to 55 mph or more and will not shift until you take foot off gas slightly. vehicle has been brought back 6 times for same problem. their "fix" was from adjustments to changing internal tranmission parts to installing a new transmission with the same problem persisting. now am in lemon law litigation. *ak

Vehicle was parked, engine running, when all of a sudden it shifted into reverse and rolled into a house, minor damage, no injuries.*ak *yh

Once the transmission was put into gear, the vehicle would not move forward. when the vehicle was in reverse, the vehicle would go forward instead of reverse. the dealer was contacted and stated that they will need to see the problem happening in order to fix it. mr jg *jg the dealer has tried to fix the vehicle. the problem still exists. *jg

Transmission slips out of gear from 1st to 2nd shift which is especially dangerous when crossing intersections or attempting to pass vehicles as problem is occurring often but inconsistently. have taken truck back to dealer 5 times and only once could they find the problem and replaced transmission oil pump and valve body but problem still exists. also when putting vehicle into drive it sometimes acts as reverse, and when in reverse lunges forward as in drive. dealer replaced prdnl (gear shift) once but still having problems with gear position. dealership states they must be able to reproduce problem in order to replace transmission. was also told by service department that this was a common problem with this model vehicle with no solution in sight thus far. am pursuing lemon law litigation as this is more than just a safety hazard. *ak

Transmission is not working properly. after putting vehicle into drive vehicle will at times not shift at all. consumer would have to apply brakes before vehicle shifts. contacted dealer, and dealer was going to take a look at vehicle.*ak

My truck has loud knocking noise in engine and does not shift properely, have taken truck in and they say the engine racing is normal. the knocking noise is a purge solinoid which dodge addmits theres a problem but refuses to fix. they have made adjustments which now has affected performance to engine. i have had it in shop 4 times so far with no results. they try to tell you theres nothing wrong like its your own imagination.

My 2002 dodge dakota has low power and doesn't shift properly doesn't always down shift when i come to a full stop & down shift out of fourth gear to third on its own. seems to be more often with age of vehicle. *tr

Vehicle was parked with engine running and emergency brake not applied. consumer was at rear of vehicle when it shifted into reverse and ran over consumer. vehicle went across the street and came to a stop , and hit an embankment. consumer suffered extensive injuries, in hospital at this time.*ak

The automatic transmission in this dodge dakota club cab 4x4 shifts with such force it throws the passengers neck around. it hangs in lower gears and down shifts with too much force. the word smooth has not been entered in this trucks computer. *jb

In shop (7) times in (5) months. same complaint each time. returned in same condition. dealer says they "do not know about the lemon law". i am towing well under rated capacity, now told this is a "weak truck" by service manager. stated my intentions before purchase and was assured this truck will tow "much more than i asked about. i tow about 1100 lbs about 2 days a week. the problems occured well before i started towing anything. i would appreciate any help or advice you can give me. thank-you.*ak

Transmission failed due to lack of oil from factory. both factory and dealer signed vehicle preparation forms stating "all fluids checked". transmission failed on freeway. lost power to rear wheels. if it had locked up from failure a crash would have been likely.*ak

Transmission burned up at 643 miles. this happend while consumer was driving. there was no prior warning. transmission became harder to change. has contacted dealer three times already, but dealer has only rebulit transmission once.*ak

Rear end & transsmission has had magor repairs five times in ninteen thousand miles and the problem is reaoccurring again. chrysler's response after repairing the vehicle five times as they stated in a letter, the problem is characteristic of the vehicle. the vehicle should be completely replaced.*ak