DodgeDakota20025.9L/dodge/dakota/2002/5-9l/
AN platform

2002 Dodge Dakota — 5.9L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Dakota 5.9L.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.9LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Dodge Dakota 5.9L is a truck built on the AN platform and equipped with a 5.9-liter engine and automatic 4-spd transmission, a combination that uses 5.0 quarts of 10W-30 API oil and carries EPA ratings of 11/15/13 mpg. Its reliability record shows 694 owner complaints and 12 recalls, with suspension standing out as the most reported problem area. Viewed within the full 1990–2011 production span, that total sits below the 2000 high of 842 complaints yet far exceeds the 2009 low of 18, positioning the 2002 model among the higher-complaint years and indicating a substantially larger volume of owner-documented issues than the series' least-troubled examples.

Model year200320022001200019991998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/15/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-75R15XLOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.0, 7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug68303921AA alt 68304022AA
BatteryBB27F101AA
Front wiper blades55077091AD
Serpentine belt53010303AC alt 53010304AB
Thermostat52028185AC alt 52028186AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.8 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight3869 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 15 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings48 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug TypeRC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-20
Oil Capacity7.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief19-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle95-125 ft-lbs
Drum Runout Limit0.008 in
Drum Nominal Diameter10 in / 11 in / 9 in
Drum Maximum Machining10.06 in / 11.06 in / 9.06 in
Drum Discard at-or-over10.09 / 11.09 / 9.09
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lbs. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 126 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 100,000 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Dodge Dakota resides at the conclusion of a high-volume complaint arc beginning in 1997, logging 694 complaints compared to the significantly lower 295 recorded in 2003. While the 12 recalls align with the frequency seen from 1997 to 2000, the complaint count remains elevated relative to the subsequent 2004 figure of 206, indicating this model falls within a peak period for reported issues. Federal records identify Suspension and Service Brakes as the leading complaint categories with 179 and 149 reports respectively, though the data does not specify the root cause of these failures. Safety metrics show 58 crash complaints and 18 fire complaints, which are substantial figures compared to the 18 total complaints seen across all categories in 2009. This placement at the tail end of a high-complaint period suggests buyers should expect higher reported issues than subsequent model years. Consequently, this is not a recommended year to buy when compared to the improved complaint metrics of the 2003 and 2004 models.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
694
Owner complaints
58 involved a crash · 18 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 694 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension179
Service Brakes, Hydraulic149
Power Train59
Engine & Engine Cooling25
Service Brakes21
Electrical System21
Air Bags20
Steering16

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

04V596000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball JointReported 21/12/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Dakota. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Dakota 5.9L take?

5.0 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Dakota have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.9L get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 15 highway / 13 combined mpg.