NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
74 reportsClear category filter114,000 miles · Jul 30, 2018
EnginePower Train
THE EMINE WILL DIE AMYTIME! GOING AROUND CORMERS LOR ON EXPRESSWAY SITTING IN DRIVEWAY IDLING. MY FAMILY HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE SINE 1999. THIS JUST STARTED 6 MONTHS AGO. UP UNTIL THEN IT NEVER HAPPENED. REPLACED SEVERAL SENSORS (TPS,IAC,MAP,COOLANT TEMP AND ALSO COMPUTER)SO FAR NOTHING FIXES IT. I KNOW DODGE KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND …
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THE EMINE WILL DIE AMYTIME! GOING AROUND CORMERS LOR ON EXPRESSWAY SITTING IN DRIVEWAY IDLING. MY FAMILY HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE SINE 1999. THIS JUST STARTED 6 MONTHS AGO. UP UNTIL THEN IT NEVER HAPPENED. REPLACED SEVERAL SENSORS (TPS,IAC,MAP,COOLANT TEMP AND ALSO COMPUTER)SO FAR NOTHING FIXES IT. I KNOW DODGE KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND SO DO YOU!!! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE ARE TOO MANY DAKOTA/DURANGOS ON THE ROAD I AM SURPRISED NO ONE HAS DIED OR AT VERY LEAST BEEN HURT BADLY. I KNOW IT GOES ON IN EARLIER DAKOTAS AND LATER OF BOTH NOT SURE IF IT EVER WAS FIXED SINCE OLD BODYSTYLE ENDED IN 2004. HAPPWNED FIRST TIME ABOUT FEB.1,2018. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR OF DYING OR BADLY HURT BECAUSE IT DIES ANYWHERE ANYTIME INCLUDING RUSH HOUR TRFFIC IN TULSA OK
NHTSA ODI #11114557
82,000 miles · Nov 20, 2007
Power TrainSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND ALSO HAS A VERY NOISY LIFTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS IN AND OUT OF LANES AT ANY SPEED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HE WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL ON THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND ALSO HAS A VERY NOISY LIFTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS IN AND OUT OF LANES AT ANY SPEED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HE WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL ON THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S MODEL, BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 03/14/08. *LJ THE SHIFTER DIDN OT STAY IN PARK
NHTSA ODI #10209566
102,950 miles · Nov 11, 2005
Power TrainSuspension
BALL JOINTS FAILED, PASSENGERS SIDE CAME LOOSE AND THE WHEEL FEEL OFF AND THE TRANSMISSON HAD TO BE REBUILT DUE TO CHEAP INTERNAL PARTS. BUT IF YOU OWN A 98 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE YOUR BALL JOINTS CHECKED THEY ARE A HAZARD AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED, IF THEY ALREADY HAVE NOT.... *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142475
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2005
Power Train
LOUD REAR AXLE NOISE....BROUGHT TO DEALER.........REPLACED PINION AND CARRIER BEARINGS IN AXLE.......CAUSE WAS BECAUSE MAUFACTURER CHANGED TOW CAPACITY ON RT'S AFTER OWNERS MANUAL WAS PUBLISHED....I BOUGHT USED TRUCK AT 40,000 MILES AND HAS NO IDEA IT COULD ONLY TOW 2,000 LBS VRS OWNERS MANUAL SAID 6,000...AN 8CYL TRUCK AND CAN'…
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LOUD REAR AXLE NOISE....BROUGHT TO DEALER.........REPLACED PINION AND CARRIER BEARINGS IN AXLE.......CAUSE WAS BECAUSE MAUFACTURER CHANGED TOW CAPACITY ON RT'S AFTER OWNERS MANUAL WAS PUBLISHED....I BOUGHT USED TRUCK AT 40,000 MILES AND HAS NO IDEA IT COULD ONLY TOW 2,000 LBS VRS OWNERS MANUAL SAID 6,000...AN 8CYL TRUCK AND CAN'T TOE BOAT.....HOW WEEK FOR DODOGE!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10110800
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2005
Power Train
LOUD REAR AXLE NOISE....BROUGHT TO DEALER.........REPLACED PINION AND CARRIER BEARINGS IN AXLE.......CAUSE WAS BECAUSE MAUFACTURER CHANGED TOW CAPACITY ON RT'S AFTER OWNERS MANUAL WAS PUBLISHED....I BOUGHT USED TRUCK AT 40,000 MILES AND HAS NO IDEA IT COULD ONLY TOW 2,000 LBS VRS OWNERS MANUAL SAID 6,000...AN 8CYL TRUCK AND CAN'…
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LOUD REAR AXLE NOISE....BROUGHT TO DEALER.........REPLACED PINION AND CARRIER BEARINGS IN AXLE.......CAUSE WAS BECAUSE MAUFACTURER CHANGED TOW CAPACITY ON RT'S AFTER OWNERS MANUAL WAS PUBLISHED....I BOUGHT USED TRUCK AT 40,000 MILES AND HAS NO IDEA IT COULD ONLY TOW 2,000 LBS VRS OWNERS MANUAL SAID 6,000...AN 8CYL TRUCK AND CAN'T TOE BOAT.....HOW WEEK FOR DODOGE!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10110799
35,400 miles · Feb 8, 2005
Power TrainSuspension
I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END AND A LOW PITCHED GROWL FROMN THE REAR END. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT AT 35,428 MILES THEAT IT NEEDED TWO UPPER BALL JOINTS AND A NEW DIFFERENTIAL (REAR END) . VEHICLE IS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10110118
96,300 miles · Dec 29, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA, VIN [XXX]. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BEGINNING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR LEASE. DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $9,000 ON VEHICLE REPAIRS INCLUDING A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, NEW STARTER, NEW WHEEL BARING, NEW BRAKE CALIPER, NEW HEATER …
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MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA, VIN [XXX]. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BEGINNING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR LEASE. DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $9,000 ON VEHICLE REPAIRS INCLUDING A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, NEW STARTER, NEW WHEEL BARING, NEW BRAKE CALIPER, NEW HEATER CORE AND NEW WATER PUMP. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND TWO O2 SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. WHILE THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND INCONVENIENT, NONE OF THEM HAS POSED A SAFETY CONCERN PER SE. I AM WRITING NOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR MOST RECENT VEHICLE FAILURE WHICH MOST CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2004, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HIS FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BROKE OFF FROM THE AXLE. THE TIRE FELL ON ITS SIDE AND THE TRUCK LANDED ON THE TIRE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE TRUCK SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. MY HUSBAND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. WHEN WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO OUR MECHANIC, HE FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS NEAR THE BREAKING POINT AS WELL AND REPLACED THAT AXLE AS WELL. WE ARE STILL DRIVING ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES, BUT WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE SHOULD GET AN ALIGNMENT AND PROBABLY HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED AS WELL. WE UNDERSTAND THAT DODGE HAS RECALLED THE 2000-2003 DAKOTAS FOR THIS SAME DEFECT. WE BELIEVE THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. *NM UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10104743
93,000 miles · Nov 15, 2004
Power Train
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ONGOING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR 3 YEARS WHICH BECAME WORSE WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. THE RPMS REVVED VERY HIGH WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT INTO SECOND GEAR AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP POSITION. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY AND TURN THE VEHICLE …
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CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ONGOING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR 3 YEARS WHICH BECAME WORSE WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. THE RPMS REVVED VERY HIGH WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT INTO SECOND GEAR AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP POSITION. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. DEALERSHIP NOR THE MECHANIC COULD IDENTIFY WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS TO OCCUR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10099932
53,000 miles · Oct 15, 2004
Power Train
OWNER SAYS THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE AFTER ONLY 53,000MI. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS BROKEN PIECES OF DISC. OWNER FEELS THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS TO PREMATURE BASED ON THE MILAGE OF THE VEHICLE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10096945
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2004
Power Train
WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091848
Official recalls
5May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH 2.5L ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE FOR WEAR. IF WEAR IS EVIDENT, THE BRAKE TUBE AND/OR POWER STEERING HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. A POWER STEERING STANDOFF BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE FOR EVIDENCE OF WEAR. WORN BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. THE REAR VENT HOSE WILL BE SHORTENED BY 3 INCHES AND A CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ASSURE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AXLE VENT LINE AND BRAKE HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Sep 8, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH BOLTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED. THE BOLTS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE CAB AND THE CORE SUPPORT TO THE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE CAB TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BOLTS WITH PROPERLY HARDENED BOLTS.
Oct 7, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.
Consequence: PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.
Consequence: PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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