2000 Dodge Dakota
The Verdict
The 2000 Dodge Dakota has 833 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (395 complaints) and brakes (251 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 6/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Dodge Dakota, consider the 2009 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2009 has 97% fewer complaints
View the 2009 Dodge Dakota dashboard →
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 7
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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.
Risk
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 INS...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXPEL FLUID FROM THE FILL TUBE DURING NORMAL TEMPERATURE OPERATION.
Risk
THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD RESULT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE VENT HOSE AND ASSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.
Risk
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...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFOR...
Risk
A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
Remedy
K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DU...
Risk
IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION ...
Remedy
SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF ...
Risk
EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
CERTAIN 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 ...
Risk
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
AIRTEX 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-...
Reported Jan 2, 2006
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 1998 N/A Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while at the DMV to renew the tags, the contact was unable to register the vehicle because the vehicle was under recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V193000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 163,159.
Unknown
Air bag light and Engine light comes on and off. Headlights, break lights, and blinkers keep going on and off while light switch is on. Rust on body due to clear coat peeling. Steering is sometimes hard to do even with full steering fluid. Shifts hard. Brake fluid has leaked. Coolant has leaked, along with heater core that dealership had me pay a lot of money for replacement in 2022. Vehicle hesitates to accelerate to higher speeds. Windshield wipers do not fully touch windshield towards top. Air compressor makes rattle on/off sounds.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 DODGE DAKOTA EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRES, TIRE LINE: FUTURA, TIRE SIZE: 275/75/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE VERY LOUD WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK THE TIRES TO PEPBOYS (7725 W NEWBERRY RD, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606, (352)332-6003) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,100.
MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT AND IT IS VERY SLUGGISH IN FREEWAY AND WHILE WE IDLING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND CAME TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS STRAPPED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
BAD RUST ISSUE TO AREAS INCLUDING FRONT AND REAR BUMBER, THE ENTIRE BED INCLUDING MOUNTING POINTS, FENDERS, CAB CORNERS AND FRAME. LOST FENDER FLARE TWICE DUE TO RUST AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE ENTIRE BED SLID BACK AND ALMOST FELL OFF AND FENDERS AND BUMBERS ARE BASICALLY RUST AND NEED REPLACED, WHEEL WELLS ON BED ARE FALLING APART CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE IF I HAUL ANYTHING
"TAKATA RECALL" THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO LEAK EVEN AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF MY TRUCK SINCE 2007 . I HAVE HAD 3 CAR WRECKERS AND MY6 AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLODED. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ? ..UPDATED 09/28/17 *BF UPDATED 7/19/18*JB *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED OR TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION, THE DRIVERS SEAT SLIDES FORWARDS. I CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP
COMPLAINT #10734989 7-19-2015.NO RESPONSE FROM YOU. CALLING AND SENDING E MAILS SINCE OCTOBER 2013 NOT JUST YOUR DEPARTMENT! NO ONE WILL HELP. YOU, DODGE OR THE PERSON WHEN I WAS SITTING ON THE SIDE OF 71S. & PROMISED SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK - OH IT WAS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVERYONE WAS LEAVING WORK! NO ONE WILL HELP ME RESOLVE THIS.DO I AND HAVE TO GET KILLED BEFORE ANYONE WILL START TO LISTEN! PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JULY 2010.WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 65, LONG DISTANCE THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, SLOWS ME DOWN TO 45. THE ENGINE MAKES THE LOUDEST WHINNING (LIKE SOMETHING IS STUCK UNDER THE HOOD) LIKE IT WANTS TO BLOW UP!!!PULL OVER - WAIT TIL THE LIGHT GOES OFF. TEMPERATURE GAUGES DO NOT SHOW OVERHEATING. I'VE STARTED REPLACING PARTS.STILL LIGHT COMES ON AND SLOWS ME DOWN TO 45 I ACTUALLY AM VERY UPSET ABOUT NO ONE HELPING ME. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE TO DEALER WHEN IT DOES IT..I DID AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE LIGHT IS NOW OFF TO DRIVE IT THERE. THEY TELL ME TO LEAVE IT AND THEY WILL GO THRU IT. "I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE THEM DO THIS" MY LIFE AS WELL AS MY GRANDCHILDREN, FATHER, ME AND ANYONE THAT I HAVE HAD IN THIS CAR IS AT RISK. BEING ON THE SIDE OF THE EXPRESSWAYS OR EXIT RAMPS WAITING FOR THIS LIGHT TO GO OFF WITH SEMI'S, CARS, FLYING BY. PEOPLE ARE DRIVING OFF ROADS WITH DISTRACTED DRIVING HITTING PEOPLE PARKED ON THE SIDE. I DON'T WANT TO BE A FATALITY! MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK SEAT AND I WAS PARKED ALONG I96. MY FATHER (ALZ) WAS IN THE CAR WHILE I WAS PARKED ON US23. MY HUSBAND AND I...WHEN DO I GET HELP. WHEN SOMEONE IS DEAD. PLEASE PLEASE IS IT THE CVT!!! I DON'T KNOW ANYMORE.... I WAS DEPENDING ON YOU TO HELP ME OR DODGE. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO NC AND I AM ACTUALLY SCARED TO DRIVE THE DISTANCE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, STEAM APPEARED FROM THE VENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATING COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,795. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ;UPDATED 04/30/18*JB *JS
IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED. I HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION AND HAVE BEEN TOLD INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDS TO REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND AM TOTALLY CONFUSED AS TO WHY CHRYSTAL HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY PART, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MANY DODGE OWNERS. ALL NHTSA NEEDS TO DO IS SEARCH IT ONLINE. SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND YET NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. I HAVE WRITTEN/ EMAILED TO DODGE CORP. AND WAS TOLD THAT RECALLS NEED TO BE PROCESSED THROUGH NHTSA. PLEASE ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM FILE A COMPLAINT SO DODGE WILL FINALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS SPEEDING AND TOOK A CURVE TO FAST AND CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND HIT HEAD ON. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS BUSTED WHEN IT WAS DEPLOYED. THE STEERING WHEEL INNER COMPONETS CAME OUT WITH THE AIRBAG WHICH DID NOT INFLATE AND CAUSED INJURY TO MY CHEST AREA. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT WAS BUSTED AND CAUSED MY DAUGHTER TO GET A BROKEN ARM. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A DEFAULT IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN MY TRUCK. MY TWO YOUNGEST CHILDREN WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE.
WHILE DRIVING CAR, TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING, ALL FUSES AND RELAYS AND NEW TURN SIGNAL HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AND TURN SIGNALS STILL NOT WORKING, SINCE THIS HAPPENED IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN WORKING. ALSO AT IDLE, CAR REVS UP TO 2000 RPM, AND DROPS BACK TO NORMAL IDLE, THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED OR AT IDLE. CAR WAS TUNED UP, AND NO CODES FOUND. BUT STILL REVS UP AT TIMES. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO BECOME PUNCTURED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V193000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 12/30/14*LJ UPDATED 05/27/2015 *JS
BRAKE LINES RUSTED-LOST ALL THE FLUID. THE BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND FABRICATED BY THE REPAIR SHOP. *JS
MY FRONT BRAKES KEEP STICKING. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT'S HAPPENED. I'VE REPLACED THE PADS, CALIPERS, DISCS AND LINES TWICE NOW. I JUST FINISHED THAT REPAIR ABOUT 5000 MILES AGO BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. LAST WEEK, SMOKE POURS OUT OF MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WELL, AND THE TRUCK IS PULLING AND VIBRATING.....SAME ISSUE. WHY DOES MY TRUCK KEEP DOING THIS? *TR
833 total