Six problems related to differential unit have been reported for the 2002 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Rear diff in my 2002 Dodge Dakota failed and almost caused me to get in a head on collision.
The 9. 25? limited-slip differential in our 2002 Dodge Dakota crew cab failed after components of the differential disintegrated at 75,000 miles. Pictures available. This failure could have resulted in a catastrophic failure if a very slight noise had not developed during parking lot turns. A quick google of this problem resulted in numerous reports of this problem including catastrophic failures at highway speeds.
I took my truck to have an oil change and 60,000 mile service at the dealer. I was told that the rear end needed to be overhauled because the brackets to my rear differential were broken, and if I did not have it repaired, the brackets would fall down into the spider gears and while I was driving, it would cause the truck to lock up. I took it to get another opinion and was told the same thing. I was also told that if they repaired it back to the way it was manufactured, I would continue to have the same problem. . Read more...
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.
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.
The consumer states that the rear end howls. The dealer checked the differential, and there were no abnormal noises, consumer hears slight noises from rear differential. No repairs needed. On another invoice the consumer stated that the rear end still whines, replaced the ring gear/pinion, carrier and pinion bearings test drove still noisy ordered rear differential assembly.