2002 Dodge Dakota — 4.7L

The 2002 Dodge Dakota falls at the tail end of a notably troubled stretch for this nameplate, with 694 complaints, 12 recalls, 1 investigation, and 55 TSBs recorded that year—figures that, while not the generation's worst, sit squarely within a 1997–2002 plateau where annual complaints ranged from 487 to a peak of 842 and recalls routinely numbered in the low double digits. Compared to the surrounding years, 2002 is essentially a continuation of 2001's elevated pattern (686 complaints, 14 recalls) rather than an improvement, and it precedes a clear drop-off in 2003 (295 complaints) and 2004 (206 complaints), suggesting the 2002 model year still carries the engineering baggage of the late-1990s/early-2000s design rather than any later refinements. The top complaint clusters for 2002—suspension (179), hydraulic service brakes (149), and powertrain (59)—are substantive and not trivial categories, and the 58 crash-related and 18 fire-related complaints indicate meaningful safety exposure rather than purely cosmetic concerns. Buyers should specifically verify the status of all 12 recalls against the VIN, budget for suspension and brake remediation, and recognize that the federal record shows no investigation spike in 2002 itself, though it inherits the cumulative issues of its generation. Bottom line: the 2002 Dakota is a workable but not ideal used buy—cheaper examples likely come with deferred maintenance on the same suspension and brake components that drove the bulk of complaints, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection and recall verification are essential before committing.