NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
641 reports32,904 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH OR LESS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE INTENSIFIED WHENEVER A TURN WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH OR LESS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE INTENSIFIED WHENEVER A TURN WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED YEARS LATER AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 59,244 MILES. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE CHRYSLER BALL JOINTS DO NOT HAVE GREASERS, WHICH THE NEW REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS HAVE ALONG WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY. HE BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THE FIRST TIME THE BALL JOINTS FAILED, THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THEM WITH CHRYSLER PARTS. HE BELIEVES THAT THIS IS WHY THEY FAILED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,904 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 59,244. UPDATED 05/26/09 *BF THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 05/28/09.*JP
NHTSA ODI #10266286
160,000 miles · Mar 24, 2009
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE VEHICLE HAS HERITAGE TRAIL TRAC AP TIRES, SIZE 235/75/R15 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CONSTANT SLOW AIR PRESSURE LEAK IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE VEHICLE HAS HERITAGE TRAIL TRAC AP TIRES, SIZE 235/75/R15 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CONSTANT SLOW AIR PRESSURE LEAK IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
NHTSA ODI #10262917
180,000 miles · Mar 9, 2009
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT. IN JUNE OF 2008, THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. IN SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER OF 2008 AND AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2009, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED PROFESSIONALLY. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT. IN JUNE OF 2008, THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. IN SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER OF 2008 AND AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2009, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED PROFESSIONALLY. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, A CLICKING SOUND IS HEARD COMING FROM THE WHEELS. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED FIVE TIMES BEFORE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS CURRENTLY THE SIXTH OCCURRENCE AND THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE SOME ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10261357
150,000 miles · Feb 22, 2009
Power Train
1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 150,000MI AND AIR COND. GONE *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259614
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension
PREMATURE BALL JOINT FAILURE RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE REPAIR COSTS, PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION, EXCESSIVE OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP CAUSING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257675
160,000 miles · Jan 1, 2009
Suspension
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, THEY FAILED. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE FRONT BALL JOINTS. WHY IS THIS NOT BEING RECALLED? IS MY SAFETY NOT A CONCERN TO DODGE OR NHTSA? I HAVE ALREADY BEEN STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY AT MIDNIGHT, THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253436
69,000 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension
CALIPER BOLTS SEPARATING FROM SPINDLE CAUSING CALIPER TO FALL ON TO BRAKE ROTOR. LOSS OF BRAKING TO WHEEL, DIFFICULTY STEERING VEHICLE. SPINDLE (STEERING KNUCKLE) HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND RE TAPPED AND THREADED. HELI COILS (9M) INSTALLED TO HOLD CALIPER BOLTS. NEW CALIPERS AND ROTORS INSTALLED. FURTHER INSPECTION DETERMINE…
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CALIPER BOLTS SEPARATING FROM SPINDLE CAUSING CALIPER TO FALL ON TO BRAKE ROTOR. LOSS OF BRAKING TO WHEEL, DIFFICULTY STEERING VEHICLE. SPINDLE (STEERING KNUCKLE) HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND RE TAPPED AND THREADED. HELI COILS (9M) INSTALLED TO HOLD CALIPER BOLTS. NEW CALIPERS AND ROTORS INSTALLED. FURTHER INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED. ALL BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED SINCE THE UPPER ONES ARE NOT SERVICEABLE AND I DO NOT TRUST THE LOWER ONES. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS FOR MODEL YEAR 1999 DAKOTA HOWEVER THERE ARE SEVERAL TSB'S #050399, 0200600 AND SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. WHY HASN'T THIS SAFETY ISSUE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243232
68,500 miles · Sep 10, 2008
Service Brakes, ElectricFire
TWO YEARS AGO I PURCHASED A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD PICK UP TRUCK WITH APPROX. 63K MILES. AT 68,500 MILES I REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS. THE CALIPER BOLTS PULLED OUT OF THE SPINDLE ON EACH WHEEL AND ALLOWED THE CALIPER TO DROP DOWN ONTO THE ROTOR CAUSING THE BRAKES TO PULL TO THE LEFT SIDE AND OVERHEAT. WHEN I …
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TWO YEARS AGO I PURCHASED A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD PICK UP TRUCK WITH APPROX. 63K MILES. AT 68,500 MILES I REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS. THE CALIPER BOLTS PULLED OUT OF THE SPINDLE ON EACH WHEEL AND ALLOWED THE CALIPER TO DROP DOWN ONTO THE ROTOR CAUSING THE BRAKES TO PULL TO THE LEFT SIDE AND OVERHEAT. WHEN I REMOVED THE CALIPERS THE BOLTS WERE REMOVABLE BY HAND AND THE THREADING IN THE SPINDLE WAS RUSTED OUT AND WOULD NOT HOLD NEW CALIPER BOLTS. I CONTACTED TWO DODGE DEALERS (PARTS DEPT) AND THEY STATED THEY KNEW OF NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SPINDLES. I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE BOLTS PULLING OUT OF THE SPINDLES ON THIS MODEL OF DAKOTA'S AND DURANGO'S. THIS IS CLEAR CUT SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DODGE AND THE NHTSA SHOULD BE FORCING THEM TO MAKE THE REPAIR OR AT LEAST PROVIDE THE PARTS FOR A SOLUTION. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL DID BEGIN TO OVERHEAT AND ACTUALLY BEGAN TO CATCH ON FIRE WHICH REQUIRED ME TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND ALLOW IT TO COOL DOWN AND TEMPORARILY ADJUST THE CALIPER IN ORDER TO GET HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241729
105,000 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE TO SHIFT GEARS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN I GOT OUT OF CAR, THERE WAS A LARGE POOL OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RUSTED BRAKE LIN…
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AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE TO SHIFT GEARS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN I GOT OUT OF CAR, THERE WAS A LARGE POOL OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239228
53,000 miles · Jul 31, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT WITH A CLUB CAB. IT ONLY GETS DRIVEN A FEW MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR AND ONLY HAS 53,000 MILE ON IT. I DROVE MY TRUCK TO THE CITY TRANSFER STATION ON SUNDAY. WHILE BACKING UP TO THE DUMPSTER MY BRAKES LET GO. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS BARLEY ABLE TO STOP BEFORE THE…
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THIS IS IN REGARDS TO A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT WITH A CLUB CAB. IT ONLY GETS DRIVEN A FEW MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR AND ONLY HAS 53,000 MILE ON IT. I DROVE MY TRUCK TO THE CITY TRANSFER STATION ON SUNDAY. WHILE BACKING UP TO THE DUMPSTER MY BRAKES LET GO. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS BARLEY ABLE TO STOP BEFORE THE TRUCK ROLLED INTO THE DUMPSTER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD ROTTED AND GAVE WAY. THAT FOLLOWING MONDAY I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. MY TECH SHOWED ME THAT EVERY BRAKE LINE UNDER THE TRUCK WAS ROTTEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING $900 PLUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236502
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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