Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP
06E011000AIRTEX PRODUCTS E (Equipment)729101/25/2005MFRCHRYSLER GROUP LLC02/01/200602/01/2006
Defect SummaryCertain aftermarket airtex electric fuel pumps installed for use as replacement equipment for certain 1997-2004 jeep wrangler; 1997-2001 jeep cherokee; 1997-2004 jeep grand cherokee; and 2000-2003 dodge dakota vehicles. the plastic electrical grommet connectors at the top of the fuel pump module are not compatible with automotive fuels and may degrade causing a potential leak path for fuel.
Consequence SummaryIn the presence of an ignition source, a fuel leak could result in a fire.
Corrective SummaryAirtex will notify its customers and will replace the affected fuel pumps free of charge. the recall began on january 25, 2006. owners may contact airtex customer service department at 1-800-880-3056.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket airtex electric fuel pumps and has no relation to any original equipment installed on jeep grand cherokee, cherokee, wrangler, or dodge dakota vehicles manufactured by daimlerchrysler.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLER PIPE AND CAP
1400102A10/07/2002140010210000310Fuel cap difficult to remove. *tt02/21/2003
140010205/06/2002634090Subject regarding fuel cap difficult to remove. *slc09/27/2002

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
02/10/200940000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the vehicle exhibited a loud dragging noise. he then discovered that one of the straps that held the fuel tank was completely corroded. the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who replaced the fuel straps. the manufacturer was then contacted and they advised him that they were unaware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
02/10/200940000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. the contact stated that after moving his vehicle one day, he heard a loud dragging noise. he then went and checked and realized that one of the straps to hold the fuel tank had corroded through. the vehicle was inspected by a independent mechanic and he replaced the straps. the manufacturer was tehn contacted and they advised him that they were unaware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 40,000. tb
05/28/201052000
 I had just filled the gas tank in my 2002 dodge dakota pickup truck and was driving north at 70 mph on interstate 93 in new hampshire this past friday when the straps holding the fuel tank in place under the truck broke and the gas tank literally fell off the truck. i pulled over and saw that the tank was being suspended only by the hoses connecting the tank to the fuel filler opening. i called a tow truck which loaded the truck onto its tilt body. by the time we had gone 10 miles to a garage, the gas tank had completely separated from the hoses and had fallen to the floor of the tow truck bed, sloshing gas everywhere. thankfully, we were able to unload the dakota without setting off the fuel, but this could have been a huge accident. the two straps holding the fuel tank in place were made out of metal and had rusted through. it seems to me that this is an unacceptable design flaw. my vehicle could have lost its gas tank at full speed. the gas could have ignited, blown up me and my truck and caused collateral damage to other vehicles on the road.
03/01/20073104/15/2003
 Fuel mileage 02 dakota 4x4 3.9 lv-6 gets 15 mpg. i had a 96 and 99 dakota 4x4's ordered new as well with same engine, tires, and drive train ratio as the 02 that got 21 mpg. i know of a 99 jeep grand cherokee with 4.0 l with same tires and drive train ratio gets 21 mpg. why doesn't the 02 get better? *jb
04/15/20020
 There is a hesitation (dead spot) while depressing the accelorator pedal,when trying to start rolling from a stop. the rpms actually fall before they rise. this ,while letting out the clutch is unsafe ,causing the vehicle to stall when the power is needed the most. have taken the vehicle 9 times and each time they say ; 1)it will get better with time 2)this is an inherant problem with the 6 cylinder & manual 3)cant duplicate (it happens every time i try to move) you actually have to play with the gas pedal in order to get past the hesitation area
02/15/20031500
 The truck has had sever problems with acceleration and stalling. it also makes a clunking noise when turning the vehicle. there have been numerous amounts of problems with at leat 15 days total in the shop.
02/01/2002200601/22/2002
 In oct.2002 my truck shut off while driving down the road. in the past the truck had shut off in reverse or when i was at a dead stop and then press the gas, but this time i had to drive with my foot on the gas and the brake at the same time and then put it in neutral at a stop to keep the gas going. i had also had a problem with my blinkers. you turn the left one on and occasionally the right one will blink to-like hazard lights. my dash board would also light up while driving or even when i come to a stop at a light. i put it off until the driving down the road. the dealership said it was a computer problem and the truck had been doing it since day 1, they couldn't find the problem to the blinkers. also the a/c condesation line had a crack in it and was leaking into my passenger side floor-that was a second trip. now my truck is haveing the same shut-off problem starting just like it did last time-so now i am looking into the lemon law, it seems to apply so far.*ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY
04/25/20022004/23/2002
 Since the purchase of my vehicle in april 02 i have had a problem with the acceleration when starting to move the vehicle. basically when pressing on the gas pedal there is a dead spot (hesitation).if the vehicle accelerator is in the dead spot and the clutch is released this causes an unsafe condition. *nlm
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM - INJECTORS
02/14/200524800607/07/2002
 My 2002 dodge dakota sxt club cab has been in for service on 2/14/05, 2/23/05, 3/12/05, 3/26/05 and 4/9/05 for misfiring. it has had 3 fuel injectors 2, 3, and 4 replaced because they were leaking, and all the spark plugs replaced every time it has gone into service. to date, 4/18/05, the vehicle was still misfiring. on each occasion, the engine light came on, and each time, the dealership stated it was the same problem. i have had the dealership at my expense to flush the fuel injector system, and have had service automatic transmission. i have also had the dealership , under warranty, to replace a failing master cylinder on 1/26/05. i anticipate i will be back at the dealership sometime this weekend, as i am sure the engine light will come on again.*ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
06/01/2004353053
 While driving, noticed that the check engine light was on and the oil pressure gauge was incorrect. notified dealer of this issue and also an issue with grinding noise when turning left or right. the dealer has replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the front and even admitted that they have seen a high failure rate for this. also they replaced the vacuum tube harness under the gas tank. the oil pressure gauge sensor was loose and was corrected. *jb
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
11/03/200335000212/23/2001
 2002 dodge dakota dealer identified lt ball joint/control arm assembly in need of replacement @ 42,000 mi. problem existed some 6000 - 7000 prior based on drivability/noise. veh has had repeated evap leak since 14,000 mi.*ak
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - STORAGE - FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
10/17/200208/27/2002
 Fuel level is off. the vehicle may have 7-8 gallons out of 22 when fuel light comes on. book says you have 1/8 left, equalls about 2 7/8 gal. dealer and chrysler say it is ok, have to keep fuel pump cool? *nlm