NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
641 reports79,729 miles · Dec 13, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
AT 79,729 MILES AND ALL THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AT THE DEALERSHIP (LAST ONE AT 70,000) THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, THE "CHECK GAUGES" LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND CHECKED FLUID LEVELS (OIL, TRANSMISSION, AND RADIATOR) WHICH WERE FINE. OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP TO 0 AND JUMP BACK TO 40 WHEN …
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AT 79,729 MILES AND ALL THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AT THE DEALERSHIP (LAST ONE AT 70,000) THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, THE "CHECK GAUGES" LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND CHECKED FLUID LEVELS (OIL, TRANSMISSION, AND RADIATOR) WHICH WERE FINE. OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP TO 0 AND JUMP BACK TO 40 WHEN ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THINKING (INCORRECTLY) THAT IT MIGHT ONLY BE AN OIL PRESSURE SENSOR FAILURE, I TRIED TO DRIVE HOME TO GET IT SERVICED THE NEXT DAY, BUT IT BEGAN KNOCKING AND SMOKING AFTER A FEW MILES AND HAD TO BE TOWED. IT IS BEING EVALUATED NOW, BUT IT WILL PROBABLY INVOLVE A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT TO REPAIR. I NOTICED SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND THINK THAT DODGE SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS DEFECT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145073
75,000 miles · Dec 9, 2005
Suspension
DT: WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. THIS PROBLEM CONSTANTLY RECURRED WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE T AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10144845
87,000 miles · Nov 16, 2005
Suspension
1999 DODGE DAKOTA, 87,000 MILES DODGE DEALERSHIP STATES UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS (FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT) NEED REPLACEMENT BEFORE FRONT END ALIGNMENT CAN BE DONE. ALSO RIGHT HUB BEARING RECENTLY REPLACED. NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING, NO ACCIDENTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142905
20,400 miles · Nov 16, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. IT MADE LOUD POPPING AND SNAPPING SOUNDS WHEN MAKING TURNS. UPON INSPECTION THE UPPER BALL JOINT GREASE SEAL COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD UP AND DOWN PLAY, WHICH CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE RE…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. IT MADE LOUD POPPING AND SNAPPING SOUNDS WHEN MAKING TURNS. UPON INSPECTION THE UPPER BALL JOINT GREASE SEAL COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD UP AND DOWN PLAY, WHICH CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MODEL YEARS 2000-2002 TWO WHEEL DRIVE ONLY. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT COVER THIS MODEL YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS RECALL WAS FOR MODEL YEARS 2000-2002 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS ONLY. THE CONTACT FELT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE OUTER TIE ROADS AND UPPER/LOWER BUSHINGS WERE ALSO REPLACED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142855
88,000 miles · Nov 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DODGE DAKOTA 99, 2WD. BUMPER PREMATURELY RUSTS. EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS PREMATURELY RUST CAUSING MANIFOLD TO SEPARATE FROM ENGINE BLOCK. POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER DRIVERS CABIN. DODGE WILL NOT FIX FAILURE - WARRANTY EXPIRED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142318
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN 2003, WHEN MY VEHICLE, A DODGE DAKOTA PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG CHECK. MILEAGE WAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 39,900 MILES. IT FAILED. IT FAILED 3 TIMES. AFTER PAYING ABOUT $800.00 IT PASS THE SMOG TEST. THIS YEAR, MY PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG TEST. THE MILEAGE WAS 49,900 MILES, AGAIN IT FAILED THE SMOG TEST (TWICE NOW). TO THIS DATE, I…
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IN 2003, WHEN MY VEHICLE, A DODGE DAKOTA PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG CHECK. MILEAGE WAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 39,900 MILES. IT FAILED. IT FAILED 3 TIMES. AFTER PAYING ABOUT $800.00 IT PASS THE SMOG TEST. THIS YEAR, MY PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG TEST. THE MILEAGE WAS 49,900 MILES, AGAIN IT FAILED THE SMOG TEST (TWICE NOW). TO THIS DATE, IT HAS NOT PASSED THE SMOG TEST AND COST HAS ALREADY GONE TO APPROXIMATED $300.00. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141646
34,000 miles · Oct 31, 2005
SteeringSuspension
99 DODGE DAKOTA STEERING FELT LOOSE AND WANDERED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I TOOK IT IN FOR A ALIGNMENT, TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND 1 TIE ROD WERE WORN PAST SPEC, HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 34000 MILES ON IT!, IS IN MINT SHAPE, AND NEVER DRIVEN OFFROAD. I UNDERSTAND CHRYSLER RECALLED 2000+ UP DAK…
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99 DODGE DAKOTA STEERING FELT LOOSE AND WANDERED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I TOOK IT IN FOR A ALIGNMENT, TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND 1 TIE ROD WERE WORN PAST SPEC, HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 34000 MILES ON IT!, IS IN MINT SHAPE, AND NEVER DRIVEN OFFROAD. I UNDERSTAND CHRYSLER RECALLED 2000+ UP DAKOTA/DURANGO FOR BALL JOINT PROBLEMS, WHAT ABOUT 97-99 MODELS? SAME VEHICLE/ SAME PROBLEM. CAN YOU SAY RIP-OFF. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141333
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2005
SteeringSuspension
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WORE OUT SO BADLY THAT IT ALMOST CAUSED AN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 WAS ISSUED HE HAD THE BALL JOINTS RE…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WORE OUT SO BADLY THAT IT ALMOST CAUSED AN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 WAS ISSUED HE HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED, AND WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, BUT BECAUSE OF HIS VIN NOT BEING INCLUDED THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE. *AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140620
78,900 miles · Oct 3, 2005
SteeringSuspension
1999 DODGE DAKOTA BALL JOINT AND TIE RODS. BALL JOINTS ARE SEPARATING AND TIE RODS ARE BAD JUST LIKE THE RECALL FOR THE 2000-2004 MODELS WHY WASN'T THIS EXTENDED TO THE 1999 MODEL. I HAVE 78000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT IN AUG 05. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10138392
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2005
Suspension
ON MY 3 BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT IN 4 YEARS. UPPERS AND LOWERS. RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM HERE AND I'M OBVIOUSLY NOT ALONE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10137861
Official recalls
4May 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.
Apr 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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.
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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