Seven problems related to dash wiring have been reported for the 2002 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Dash on 2002 1500 Dodge quadcab bought new in 2003 has been cracking for more than 3 years. The dealer knows it is a problem but the factory is in denial. Now it is causing electrical problem. My light have gone out suddenly. My alarm wiring was cut by the dash and the engine shut off. The speaker have been ruined. It is now becoming a safety issue.
Vehicle was taken to dealer for the upper ball joint recall. Dealer told consumer that the lower ball joints wore out as well, and needed to be replaced. Manufacturer stated no recall. Recall campaign; NHTSA campaign id number : 04v596000 dealing with upper ball joints. The recall did not include the lower ball joints with the same defect. Nhtsa campaign id number : 04v216000; dealing with the windshield wiper motor. The consumer stated that the windshield wiper motor was serviced and had at least one failure since the repair. Nhtsa campaign id number : 03v389000 dealing with the dash wiring harness repaired by the dealer.
2002 Dodge Dakota 52000 miles first the seat belt light comes on while driving, then all the guages on the dash go dead for about three seconds. Odometer also will not record any mileage also. Then the gauges reset normal. This happens only when the inside gets hot from the sun. Turning the air on and cooling the inside helps to stop or slow down the pulsing of the guages from dead to normal. Replaced central timing unit computer . Did nothing, old unit put back in . Next step is to replace dash cluster.
While driving 70 mph driver noticed sparks were coming from underneath the dashboard. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder. Vehicle caught on fire.
Check engine light appt. 02/20/03 rey m 03/06/03 called me. 4:30 + - pm about part 4 cluster , arrived 11:15 am 02/07/03 asked 4 bill boyd, service dir. States u will b taken care off. Jimmy lawrence called in, general. Sales manager. Doesn't like my reaction, storms out to see bill b, while my ram is being appraised for value, new credit form is brought out by art agguirre, sales agent states he needs to check my credit to see what kind of interest rates I can get, I state I'm not here to do another app gets me to see jimmy, I tell him I'm driving a rental more than my own, I mention you have been paying for a rental and states he didn't care, dealership spends thousands of dollars on rentals, and that I was crazy if I thought I was going to get another vehicle. It's only a bulb he says, and if the vehicle is drivable you drive it! wow! and threatens to call police to escort me out, art and I go to bill, which is also upset states I 'm not going to give you another vehicle, my wife is crying, she's upset and I'm up set. I told bill you told me you were going to call a Chrysler rep. And notify me for a meeting . My time's valuable and I need a dependable vehicle, in time he reacted better, I've been here #'s x"s and spend 4 - 6 hrs here. I don't like it. I should be here for regular. Service only. My ram has been here 4 #'s check engine light, alignment (pulling light) doors adjusted. , wiring to tcm, connection to pcm, computer changed, let us do pilot testing, right front has been hit/scraped, now a part four cluster, not to fuel up w/engine on, put best mechanic this time. Now driving a rental again 02/20/03 to present time, left w/ wife crying 5 hrs later. I have to pick up my son from school & I"m out of town. It hurt to see my wife in that condition, and for agents to tell me there is nothing I can do! bill b. Stated b-4 we left that he will call Chrysler, and would contact us later.
The day the truck was picked up, the instrument cluster light fuse was blown. After replacing the fuse, lights were fine for about 3 weeks. Fuse blew again, returned truck to dealer. They looked over the system and said it was a lose wire to the fuse box. Two days later, fuse blew again. They then ordered a new instrument cluster. In the meantime, I continue to replace fuses as they blow. Now it is impossible to replace fuse, as they blow immediately. Dealer now has truck and replaced the instrument cluster still blows the fuse. Truck is now at dealer while they troubleshoot. Truck is unsafe to drive at night without instrument lights.
Dimmer switch on 2002 Dodge Dakota gets excessively hot after lights are on for several hours with dimmer switch in the in dim position. It is hot enough to burn a child's hand. Switch was replaced three times by dealer and still no change. Dealer refuses to do anything else to fix the problem. I have notified their customer service department, recall department and their corp. Headquarters. Ts.