NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
641 reports56,700 miles · Apr 13, 2004
Suspension
DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS ON MY DODGE DAKOTA ARE BAD. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS WAS NORMAL WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES ON A VEHICLE THEY BECAME VERY EVASIVE AND WOULD NOT GIVE AN ANSWER. I ASKED IF CHRYSLER WAS HELPING THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE TAKING CARE OF SOME OF THEM BUT THEY WOULD NO…
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DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS ON MY DODGE DAKOTA ARE BAD. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS WAS NORMAL WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES ON A VEHICLE THEY BECAME VERY EVASIVE AND WOULD NOT GIVE AN ANSWER. I ASKED IF CHRYSLER WAS HELPING THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE TAKING CARE OF SOME OF THEM BUT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. THE FIRST 2 YEARS I HAD THIS VEHICLE IT WAS IN THE SHOP 23 TIMES FOR REPAIRS. I HAD TO GO THROUGH ARBITRATION TWICE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE CHRYSLERS REGIONAL MANAGER TOLD THE DEALERSHIP NOT TO WORK ON IT ANYMORE. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE FACTORY WARRANTY. NOW THEY WANT $1,100 TO REPAIR A DEFECT THAT REQUIRES $150 WORTH OF PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #10066027
104,000 miles · Apr 10, 2004
Power Train
MY 99 DAKOTA BEGAN HOWLING AND WHINNING IN THE REAR END. I HAD THE REAR END AND GEAR LUBE INSPECTED. GEAR LUBE WAS FULL, AND GEARS AND BEARINGS SHOWED NO SIGN OF WEAR. ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY ABS AND E-BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKE FLUID WAS NEARLY EMPTY. MECHANIC FOUND FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINERS WORN, …
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MY 99 DAKOTA BEGAN HOWLING AND WHINNING IN THE REAR END. I HAD THE REAR END AND GEAR LUBE INSPECTED. GEAR LUBE WAS FULL, AND GEARS AND BEARINGS SHOWED NO SIGN OF WEAR. ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY ABS AND E-BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKE FLUID WAS NEARLY EMPTY. MECHANIC FOUND FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINERS WORN, AND REPAIRED AS NECASSARY. THIS DID NOT FIX ANY LIGHT OR NOISE PROBLEMS. AS SOON AS THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, MY SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT FUNCTION UNDER 40 MPH, AND ENGINE WOULD STALL AT STOPS. MECHANIC REMOVED DIFFERENTIAL, AND PINION GEAR. PINION BEARING WAS SHREDDED BADLY, CAUSING THE HOWLING. ALL BEARINGS IN REAR END WERE REPLACED, AND REAR END NOISE WAS CURED. THE BEARING SHAVINGS MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE REAR ABS SPEED SENSOR. I HAVE HEARD OF THE SAME SYMPTOMS FOR THE REAR END NOISE FROM OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS BOTH ON LINE AND IN PERSON. THIS WAS A COSTLY AND STRESSFUL DIAGNOSIS PROCEEDURE, AND MAY WARRANT SOME SORT OF POSSIBLE RECALL INVESTIGATION. IS THE MANUFACTURER USING AN INFERIOR LUBRICANT? THIS TRUCK'S FRONT BUMPER WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED BY 40,000MI. NOT THE FIRST I'VE HEARD OF THAT ISSUE EITHER.
NHTSA ODI #10065888
85,000 miles · Apr 9, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED 2 SECONDS LATER. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF OIL PUMP FAILURE. THE OIL PRESSURE WASN'T BEING EVENLY DISTRIBUTED, AND IT DESTROYED THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10066883
76,995 miles · Apr 9, 2004
Suspension
CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BALL JOINTS.BOTH ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED A LONG TIME AGO. REPAIR ESTIMATE $1,000. THIS IS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10065866
102,995 miles · Apr 9, 2004
Suspension
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE SEVERELY WORN OUT. WHILE PULLING ONTO SHOP PARKING LOT TO BE REPAIRED THE UPPER BALL JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEPARATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10065834
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED OIL LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10066700
104,850 miles · Apr 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL PRESSURE LIGHT GOES TO 0 AND BACK TO 40 THEN STAYS AT 0. NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEMS WITH OIL PUMP AND OIL SENDING UNIT, SCREENS AND ETC. OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED FOR FREE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10064572
38,900 miles · Apr 4, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IN MY 99 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 38,900 MILES ON IT. CHRYSLER DAIMLER COVERED ONLY PARTS. IT COST ME 370 DOLLARS TO GET IT REPAIRED. I CONTESTED WHEN THEY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY COVER PARTS. CHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THIS IS ALL THEY WOULD DO. I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE I…
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FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IN MY 99 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 38,900 MILES ON IT. CHRYSLER DAIMLER COVERED ONLY PARTS. IT COST ME 370 DOLLARS TO GET IT REPAIRED. I CONTESTED WHEN THEY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY COVER PARTS. CHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THIS IS ALL THEY WOULD DO. I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AT VERY LOW MILES ON THIS CHRYSLER PRODUCT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. CHRYSLER WON'T TALK TO ME ANYMORE. THEY STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY I COULD STILL FIGHT IT WAS TO PAY THE FULL PRICE FOR THE REPAIR AND THEN CONTEST IT. I NEEDED MY TRUCK BACK. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT FAR DO TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION. I WAS STUCK. I PAID IT CAUSE I NEEDED A VEHICLE. AGE SHOULDN'T MATTER IN A CASE LIKE THIS. 38,900 IS WAY TO LOW OF MILES FOR A MAJOR REPAIR LIKE THIS. I AM WORRIED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT CHRYSLER WILL JUST SAY "TOUGH". I HAVE READ COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 100,000 MILES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10064512
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED AND WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE VIBRATED FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE ALREADY REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10065320
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2004
Suspension
SINCE I BOUGHT THE DAKOTA I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WERARING OF TIRES AND BREAKS AND OTHER ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE HAS A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END,CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE TIRES STRESS ON THE BREAKS AND HIDEOUS NOISE. PRESEN…
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SINCE I BOUGHT THE DAKOTA I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WERARING OF TIRES AND BREAKS AND OTHER ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE HAS A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END,CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE TIRES STRESS ON THE BREAKS AND HIDEOUS NOISE. PRESENTLY THE WHEEL SOUNDS AS IF IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE RECENTLY REPLACED THE FULL BREAK ASSEMBLY(ROTORS, SHOES,CALIPERS,BEARINGS ETC). THE NOISE IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TH E NOIS MIGHT EVEN BE CONSIDERED A PUBLIC NUISANCE. THE NOISE IS SO BAD THAT INNOCENT PEDESTRAINS LOOK AT MY VEHICLE IN SHOCK AND AWE OF THE TERRIBLE RACKET AS I DRIVE PAST. THE DEALER CAIMS THAT I NEED CONTROL ARMS. THIS WILL COST QUITE A BIT IN ADDITION TO WHAT I HAVE ALREADY INVESTED IN THE DAKOTA (22K + REPAIRS TO SUSPENSION AND INTEREST). I COULD HAVE MADE A DECENT DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW DODGE WITH WHAT I HAVE SPENT ON THE DAKOTAS FRONT END. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ABOVE ISSUES AND BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD DO THE RIGHT AND SAFE THING BY ISSUING A RECALL.. THE RECALL CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH. AM I SAFE DRIVING THE DAKOTA? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10064168
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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