Six problems related to exterior lighting have been reported for the 2002 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Central time module causing my lights to cut off while driving could cause accident.
This vehicle, 2002 Dodge Dakota, was driven during the day for some months. In October, 2013 I stayed out late and as I turn the head lights on, a few seconds after all the lights started to blink non stop, even all the dashboard lights. Fortunately I was not far from home, I had to turn all the lights off to get home. An additional alarm system, evs 11 mopar electronic vehicle security systems, was installed when the vehicle was purchased. At first I thought it was the alarm system malfunctioned, I had the alarm system removed but the problem was not solved. I eventually took the vehicle to the Dodge dealer and was told that the bcm needed to be replaced, after a diagnostic test was done. To replace this part is very expensive.
All the sudden all rear lights went off took to garage they couldn't tell what was wrong after paying to find out nothing and they having truck for 2 days and dead battery from trying a bunch of shit, I brought it home and started to try for my self it was the fuse box of all things I have never in my life heard of having to replace fuse box about 500. 00 , and dash is cracked all over the place priced to replace cost about 700. 00 I will wait to see if they are going to replace it already had to get defroster vent fixed from stuff falling in there ,I have seen a lot of owners complain about these things going wrong but I thought one more my make a difference . I would hope that this is recalled before some one gets injured and all so the back door wiring on both sides went bad had to repair they I would thing that is a fire issue but who am I the consumer we don't know anything that's why I a women fix my own truck. Hope something is done about these problems. .
Rear door wiring failure causing the wires to short out the instrument cluster, speedometer, door locks, power windows, doom lighting. The wiring failure is due to a poor design and poor quality of materials used on both sides of the read doors wiring system between the b pillar connector and the door. This can be identified by removing the black rubber booth.
Lights blink on and off control module bad and was recalled for 03 model Dakotas but not 02 models. Dodge dealer says 02 and 03 are the same. When the when the central timing module fails you have no lights of any kind.
Currently own a 2002 Dodge ram quad cab. I have had numerous problems with my truck. I myself have also experienced the same problems with the transmission jerking as well as the vehicle completely shutting off when idling (and not even at long periods of time). At times when putting into reverse, the vehicle will not move at all and I have to completely shut off the truck and restart it to get it to move. I haven't had it reported at the dealer yet because they will be unable to duplicate. Just noticed a problem with my rear taillights. At different times, different bulbs would seem to go out causing the "lamp out" indicator lamp to illuminate. When I went to change the bulb myself (cause bulbs are not warranty), I found that the sockets were causing the bulb housing to melt inside the sockets as well as on the bulbs. I took it to the dealer and they only replaced one side because the other they did not have in stock, yet they did not even bother ordering the other side. I have already had my rack & pinion replaced because it was leaking and also have had to have my tcm and pcm reprogramed because they were causing my check engine light to come on as well as making my air conditioning inoperative.