Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
264
Latest Mar 13, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
33%
of 806 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
20
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Dodge Dakota submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 264 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
The 25 most recent of 264, in the owner's own words
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.
NHTSA ID
11724216
Incident
Mar 13, 2026
Mileage
163,159 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Jul 15, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL" THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO LEAK EVEN AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
NHTSA ID
11111463
Incident
Feb 7, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Dec 24, 2014
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.
NHTSA ID
10668159
Incident
Dec 17, 2014
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2014
BRAKE LINES RUSTED-LOST ALL THE FLUID. THE BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND FABRICATED BY THE REPAIR SHOP. *JS
NHTSA ID
10608945
Incident
May 2, 2011
Mileage
66,313 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2014
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
NHTSA ID
10595978
Incident
May 29, 2014
Mileage
95,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 2012
Fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND A STRONG BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE EMITTED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE ROTORS, CALIPERS AND MASTER CYLINDER WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SMOKE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA ID
10470356
Incident
Feb 1, 2009
Mileage
40,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE FRONT CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 04/22/11
NHTSA ID
10377162
Incident
Oct 21, 2008
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 12, 2010
2000 DODGE DAKOTA SLT. VERY LOW MILEAGE 36,300 EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: DRIVING FAILURE: BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH TO POINT OF FAILURE. FIRST OCCURRENCE IN THIS TRUCK. ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. SPILLED BRAKE FLUID ON A 2 MILE DRIVE TO WORK. DID NOT KNOW WAS SPILLING. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ONLY AFTER FAILURE (POSSIBLE DURING) CORRECTION: BUYING PARTS TO FIX BROKEN LINE. OTHER LINES LOOK BAD ALSO, MAY NEED REPLACED SOON. HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK FOR ANOTHER PAYDAY. SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL!!!. THIS HAPPENED TO MY FATHER IN HIS 1999 DODGE DAKOTA,SO THIS IS NOTHING NEW. *TR
NHTSA ID
10360182
Incident
Sep 12, 2010
Mileage
36,300 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 1, 2010
BRAKE LINES TOTALLY RUSTED OUT ALL OVER TRUCK AT 70K;HAVE CONTACTED NHTSA BEFORE ABOUT TERRIBLE OEM QUALITY VS RUST OF BRAKE LINES. PLEASE MANDATE STAINLESS LINES AND BRASS OR STAINLESS FITTINGS .~ 5$ PER CAR, SAVE 1000'S OF LIVES. THE PRESENT "PROTECTION" COATINGS ON STEEL ARE TRULY USELESS. NHTSA REPLIED THEY ARE "TOO EXPENSIVE" LAST TIME. I CHECKED COSTS ACTUAL QUOTED COST DIFFERENCE ON 25 FEET OF TUBING WAS ABOUT 8$. FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN DO. *TR
NHTSA ID
10341005
Incident
Jun 30, 2010
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed Sep 14, 2009
Crash reported
ROTORS TURNED AND THEN WARPED/WORE SET OF PADS DOWN TO BARE METAL IN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. ROTORS WERE WARPED AT 32,000 (AT TIME OF PURCHASE), 50,000, 63,000, AND 80,000. REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT SAME INTERVAL AS FRONT BRAKES, BUT HARDLY ANY WEAR WAS PRESENT AT TIME OF MALFUNCTION OF FRONT BRAKES. ALL OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS INSPECTED, NO OTHER FAILURES NOTED. FAILURE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE BRAKES GIVING OUT. RWAL DOES NOT FUNCTION. NO SYSTEM INDICATION TO MALFUNCTION. PULLED FUSE, AND SYSTEM FAULTS AS NORMAL. EXTREMELY POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE/ENDURANCE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10283956
Incident
Jul 25, 2009
Mileage
32,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED HOT BRAKE FLUID AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE GRINDING INTO THE ROTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A DEFECT IN THE KNUCKLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,015.
NHTSA ID
10237235
Incident
Aug 4, 2008
Mileage
169,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 22, 2008
Crash reported
NO SPECIFIC CRASHES THAT I AM PERSONALLY AWARE OF, BUT THERE HAVE SURELY BEEN MANY, POSSIBLY ATTRIBUTED TO OTHER CAUSES. THE FAILURE-SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE FLUID LINES WHICH HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING. IT OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY IN THE 'RUST BELT STATES', IE MASSACHUSETTS FOR EXAMPLE. REPAIR INVOLVES REPLACING RUSTED LINES AND RELATED PARTS, USUALLY AT SUBSTANTIAL COST TO VEHICLE OWNER. THE REASON FOR REPORTING THIS PROBLEM IS THAT I AM A REPAIR SHOP OWNER WITH OVER 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS, AND I AM SEEING MORE OF THIS PROBLEM EVERY DAY. IT CONSTITUTES A SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE OF MY SHOP'S BUSINESS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10235392
Incident
Jul 22, 2008
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Sep 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE METALLIC BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HAD 2 FRONT BRAKE LINES PLUS SECOND LINE BETWEEN JUNCTION BLOCKS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AND AFTER INSPECTION REVEALED ADDITIONAL RUST. UPDATED 11/20/07 *TR
NHTSA ID
10203171
Incident
Sep 9, 2007
Mileage
92,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 2007
ROTORS AND FRONT BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT PREMATURLY. ROTOR WEAR INDICATES THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE CALIPER PRIMARILY APPLYING PREASSURE FROM THE PISTON SIDE WHILE THE OPOSING SIDE SEEMS TO BIND. REAR BRAKES ARE STILL ORIGINAL WHILE FRONT HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA ID
10185451
Incident
Mar 15, 2007
BrakesSeat belts
Filed Jan 25, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HER 2000 DODGE DAKOTA (139000 FAILURE MILEAGE) AT 50 MPH IN THE LIGHT RAIN, SHE ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND A SLIGHTLY SHARP CURVE, BUT THE CURVE TURNED OUT TO BE SHARPER THAN EXPECTED. WHEN THE CONTACTS APPLIED THE BRAKES HEAVILY THE WHEELS LOCKED, AND THE CONTACT SKIDDED, HITTING THE EMBANKMENT. AFTER THE CRASH, IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN TO SECURE THE OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT. AS A RESULT, SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. *AK
NHTSA ID
10180691
Incident
Jan 18, 2007
Mileage
139,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 22, 2006
I OWN A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD. THERE ARE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT END. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 4WD DAKOTAS, HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS ON THE 2WD MODELS. THERE WAS AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" THAT WAS SILENTLY (AS IN I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE) ON THE BALL JOINTS ON THE 2WD MODELS. I HAVE HAD 6 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS TROUBLE WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE (I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW 07/2000). AS IN I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS ON THE FRONT END AT LEAST EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OF OWNING IT. I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED (FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENTS) OVER A HALF DOZEN TIMES. ALL WORK DONE IN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS WAS DONE AT THE DEALER, WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN, AND PROBABLY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. AFTER 18 MONTHS OF PAYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM (OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BECAUSE DODGE'S WARRANTY ISN'T WORTH THE PAPER IT'S WRITTEN ON) I CONCEDED DEFEAT (AND TOOK THE WORD OF THE DEALER) THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BUT MAINTAINING THE ROTORS AND PURCHASING NEW TIRES EVER 12-16 MONTHS. WHEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, DODGE IS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. IF NO ONE HAS DIED, THERE IS NO PROBLEM. LET ALL BUYERS BEWARE, SAFETY IS NOT ALWAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10166250
Incident
Jul 6, 2000
Mileage
4,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Feb 13, 2006
2000 DODGE DAKOTA CONSTANT MECHANICAL FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, AND BALL JOINTS THEY USE. THEY USE INFERIOR PRODUCTS THAT DO NOT LAST ON A VEHICLE BASED ON NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. HAVE TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ABOUT EVERY 20,000 MILES. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. DODGE PRODUCTS FROM THE EARLIER YEARS REALLY SUCK. I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE NEWEST MODELS SUCH AS 2004 AND 2005. *NM
NHTSA ID
10150196
Incident
Feb 13, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 20, 2006
WHEN THE TRUCK IS STARTED THE REAR DRUM BRAKES HAVE A TENDENCY TO LOCK UPON FIRST BRAKING. ABS DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. BRAKE OPERATION NORMAL AFTERWARDS. HAD AN ASE MECHANIC ADJUST DRUMS PROBLEM RETURNED FOUR MONTHS LATER. FRONT ROTORS HAVE WARPED TWICE. FIRST TIME THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS/25K MILEAGE. ROTORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN 2 YEARS LATER/50K MILEAGE. REAR DRUMS ARE NOT ADJUSTING PROPERLY. *JB
NHTSA ID
10148203
Incident
Jan 17, 2006
Mileage
55,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 2005
BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE PIPES. *JB
NHTSA ID
10140332
Incident
Oct 19, 2005
Mileage
18,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 3, 2005
BRAKES, OUT OF ROUND OR WARPED ROTORS AND DRUMS, PREVENTS SMOOTH STOPPING AND LOCKS-UP INDIVIDUAL WHEELS. FRONT ROTORS AND REAR DRUMS REPLACED TWICE IN 50K MILES, AND WORN OUT AGAIN. *JB
NHTSA ID
10135261
Incident
Jan 2, 2004
Mileage
9,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 16, 2005
VIBRATIONS DURING BRAKING AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. PULSING WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. TODAY THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON LEVEL ROAD. THE DISC BRAKES WERE LOCKED UP ON THE ROTOR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. APPEARS TO BE A FAILURE WITHIN THE CALIPER??? I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF THIS TYPE. IS THIS A DESIGN FLAW OR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT? THE TRUCK MAY HAVE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKES, HOWEVER IT DID NOT DURING THIS INCIDENT.*AK
NHTSA ID
10117978
Incident
Apr 16, 2005
Mileage
63,716 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 24, 2005
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 15 MPH COMING OUT OF A DRIVE- THRU AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN THE LAST 6,000 MI. THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE LAST 7 MILES, ALL FOUR BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP AGAIN. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ID
10108753
Incident
Jan 23, 2005
Mileage
4,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2005
2000 DODGE DAKOTA DEVELOPED A BRAKE PROBLEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE BRAKE WOULD PULSATE WHEN BRAKING AND CAUSE SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS WHICH ALMOST TOOK THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED A YEAR PRIOR. *SC
NHTSA ID
10128008
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2005
I HAVE A '2000 DODGE DAKOTA, QUAD CAB 4X4 THAT HAS REOCCURING BREAK WARPAGE PROBLEMS. I DRIVE ABOUT 12000 MILES A YEAR, MOSTLY HIGHWAY, AND NEED TO REPLACE MY ROTORS ATLEAST EVERY 18 MONTHS. DURRING NORMAL BREAKING DURRING WET OR ICY CONDITIONS THERE IS EXCESSIVE PULSING THAT LEADS TO INDIVIDUAL TIRES LOCKING UP AND SKIDDING AND ACTIVATION OF THE ANTILOCK BREAKING SYSTEM. IVE REPLACED THE ROTORS WITH DEALER PUCHASED PARTS AND EQUIVILANT AFTERMARKET PARTS AND BOTH WARP WITHIN 1-1.5 YEAR.*AK
NHTSA ID
10106103
Incident
Jan 4, 2005
Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2004
TWO MONTHS AGO CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THE FRONT END JERKED, ESPECIALLY WHILE MAKING TURNS. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO GET IT SERVICED, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE ROTORS. THEY NEEDED TO BE SHAVED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10103542
Incident
Oct 10, 2004
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own