Four problems related to suspension have been reported for the 2002 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the entire rear step bumper was corroded. While driving approximately 60 mph, the driver's side portion bar fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 50,279.
I have a 2002 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab 4x4, very well maintained and was never abused. About 8 months ago I noticed a crack on the dashboard on the passenger side. Within several months one crack had grown to 6 cracks. Then about 1 month ago the air would not flow through the dash vents anymore. In order to find out the problem I had to remove the dash board to get the heat and air system. When I removed the dash board it crumbled into about 20 pcs. Upon inspection of the air problem I found out the blend door that controls the air to the dash was broken. Seems this is a problem. I am now having to replace the dashboard, front and rear pc and the 4 blend doors in the air system. While replacing the shocks I noticed the rack and pinion was leaking extremely bad which has never leaked before. No noise while turning the steering wheel, no warning light to advise of the problem.
When the driver encounter rough roads and entered a turn he noticed that the front end bounced. There was a pulsation in the steering. The service dealer could not find the problem. Updated 01/11/06.
There was a loud knocking noise coming from the front of vehicle when turning left or right. .