Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Dodge Dakota submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 28 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 28, in the owner's own words
TAKATA RECALL - MY FATHER OWNED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK. ON JANUARY 1, 2016 HE RAN HIS CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT A LAMP POST OFF A HIGHWAY IN FLORIDA AND DIED ON IMPACT. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED OUT. I AM TRYING TO SEE IF WE QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL. I DO NOT HAVE THE POLICE RECORD AND DEATH CERTIFICATE ON MY COMPUTER CURRENTLY BUT I COULD GET THOSE ITEMS IF NEEDED.
LIGHT ON AIR BAG
, I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 15 BECAUSE MY BRAKES FAILED AND WAS HURT ACROSS MY CHEST. THE IMPACT WAS STRONG BECAUSE FOR A MOMENT I LOST TIME, BUT THE HOSPITAL DIDN'T GIVE ANY BRAIN SCANS. MY CHEST HURT SEVERELY FOR A MONTH AND I STILL FEEL PAIN WHEN I LIFT OR MOVE A CERTAIN WAY. ANYWAY I AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WONDERED WHY MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE POUND FOR LACK OF MONEY BUT THE FRONT WAS MUCH DAMAGED. WOULD THIS FALL UNDER THE RECALL THAT GOING ON WITH THE TAKATA CORP.
I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR 2 WEEKS EARLIER. I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AT 60 MPH. NO MATTER WHAT I DID TO THE PEDAL, IT WAS STUCK AT 60 MPH. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. I WAS IN A RUNAWAY CAR ON A BUSY FREEWAY. I TRIED TO NEGOTIATE THE TRAFFIC FOR 2 MILES THEN DECIDED I NEEDED TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I STARTED TO SMASH INTO THE FREEWAY OFF-RAMP RETAINING WALL IN THE EFFORT TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN WHICH IT DID TO SOME DEGREE. THEN HAD TO BARREL THROUGH A RED LIGHT WITH FLASHERS AND HORN GOING AND TO STOP THE TRUCK I DELIBERATELY RAMMED IT INTO A WROUGHT IRON FENCE, 2 LANDSCAPING BOULDERS AND A LIGHT POST. THE AIRBAG ALSO FAILED. I WAS RUSHED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WITH HEAD TRAUMA AND CONCUSSION, BROKEN GLASSES THAT CUT MY EYEBROW. I HAVE PICTURES. THE WORST PART HAS BEEN THE PTSD THAT I HAVE SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT -- MULTIPLE FAILURE - ACCELERATOR, BRAKES AND AIRBAG. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ROLL OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
I WAS TURNING LEFT ON TO WAX RD AT A RED LIGHT GOING UP HILL WHEN IT WAS RAINING THE TRUCK RIGHT REAR TIRE BROKE TRACTION PUT ME IN A FISHTAIL LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FLIPPED THE TRUCK ON ITS TOP DAMAGED THE DRIVER SIDE BENT THE FRAME CAVED IN THE ROOF BUSTED MY WINDSHIELD I WAS PULLED OUT BY AN PEDESTRIAN BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES DID NOT WORK BUT THE SEAT BELT ONLY. WHERE THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING THAT GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT I WAS PLAYING CARELESSLY. *TR
TRAVELING SB ON US 13, I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. STRUCK 2 VEHICLES AT APPROX. 50 MPH, POINT OF IMPACT DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT OF TRUCK. INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOTALED THE TRUCK, SO THE IMPACT WAS SURELY ENOUGH TO WARRANT DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS. THEY FAILED TO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN A HEAD INJURY TO MY COMPANION. SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, SO HER INJURIES WERE DOCUMENTED. I HAD A LARGE ABDOMINAL BRUISE, BUT REFUSED TREATMENT SO I HAVE NO DOCUMENTATION OF MY INJURY. SHE HAS A PERMANENT SCAR ABOVE HER EYEBROW AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, WHICH I BELIEVE WOULD'VE BEEN PREVENTED HAD AIRBAG PROPERLY DEPLOYED. *TR
HIT A TREE HEAD ON AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND I HIT THE TREE VERY HARD THE TRUCK IS UNDRIVEABLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH HE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. UPON IMPACT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT HE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK, SHOULDER AND HIP ON THE LEFT SIDE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED BY A REPRESENTATIVE THAT UNLESS THE ENGINE COMES INTO THE CAB, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,120. UPDATED 10/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE SUDDENLY STEERED TOWARDS THE POLE TO AVOID BEING HIT BY VEHICLE #2. THE MANUFACTURER SENT THE CONSUMER A LETTER STATING THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REACH THE CORRECT DECELERATION SPEED AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM AND NO CODES WERE PRESENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED AT THE SCENE DUE TO THE UTILITY POLE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTROCUTION. UPDATED 10/19/09. THE CONSUMER STATED CHRYSLER HAS NOT DONE NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 04/12/10.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. TWO OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 03/04/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/06/09. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS NOT WORKING DUE TO THE HORN FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE CONTACT BLACKED OUT. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT, CLIPPED A TELEPHONE POLE, AND DROPPED DOWN 15 FEET INTO A CREEK. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT CLIMBED OUT OF THE WINDOW AND COLLAPSED. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEVERE WHIPLASH, AND HERNIATED AND RUPTURED ONE DISC IN HIS NECK. HE NOW HAS A TITANIUM PLATE IN HIS NECK AND IS EXPERIENCING BACK PAIN, ALONG WITH DIFFICULTY KEEPING HIS BALANCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. POLICE REPORT NUMBER 79061-08 WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,600.
CONSUMER HIT AN IRON POLE WHILE CROSSING RAIL ROAD TRACKS AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE IS AT THE BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM
I WAS IN A REAR END COLISSION ON 2-18-05 THAT TOTALED MY 02 DAKOTA QUADCAB.THE IMPACT DROVE ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND PUSHED EVERYTHING INTO THE MOTOR.THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.THIS IS THE SECOND DODGE THAT I'VE SEEN THAT HAD SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY(IT WAS AN 02 FULL SIZE).I CONTACTED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AND THE REP. TOLD ME THAT ANY MANUFACTERER VEHICLE MUST BE ACCELLERATING WITH AN IMPACT FORCE TO TRIGGER THE AIRBAGS.TALK ABOUT A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.
I WAS IN A REAREND COLLISSION THAT PUSHED MY VEHICLE INTO THE ONE IN FRONT . IT PUSHED MY TAILGATE IN 20+" AND SHOVED EVERYTHING INTO THE MOTOR. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED.I CONTACTED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER WHO TOLD ME THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT MADE TO DEPLOY IN A REAR END COLLISSION. ONLY IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD WITH ACCELLERATION AND SUDDENLY HIT IN THE FRONT.WHAT IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING AT A STOPSIGN AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME IN THEIR LANE AND HIT HEAD ON? *AK
THE AIR BAG SENSOR STAYED ON. CLOCK SPRING MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK
TRAVELING APPROX 25 MPH ON WET ROADS. APPLIED BRAKES NOTHING HAPPENED. TRUCK DIDN'T SLOW DOWN WITH BRAKE TO FLOOR. COLLISION OCCURRED (REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE) AND FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WEARING SEAT BELT. *JB
INTERMITTENT ACTIVATON OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. DIAGNOSIS BY DEALERSHIP IS FAILED CLOCKSPRING ASSY IN STEERING COLUMN. RESULT OF NOT FIXING IS INOPERABLE AIRBAG. DEALERSHIP REPLACED PART AT COST.*AK
WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT 20 - 25 MPH IT FAILED TO DO SO. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER APPLIED MORE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN, TABS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED. VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT SMASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A WET ROAD. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED WHEN DEPRESSED. *AK
AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURED AT 43 MPH. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN MY SON HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL FELT LIKE A WET SPONGE. THE VEHICLE NEVER SLOWED DOWN. CONSUMER APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT A COLLISION OCCURRED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE INFORMED OF THE CRASH. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND THE CONSUMER T-BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE, BUT HIT IT BROADSIDE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DEPLOY. *NLM. *AK *CB *JB
THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AT 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. CONSEQUENTLY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .