RoadVitals

2000 Dodge Dakota Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
806
Latest Mar 13, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
75
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Sep 29, 1999

What this page shows

Our database holds 806 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Dodge Dakota. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 806 · page 1 of 33

Brakes
Filed Mar 13, 2026

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
Engine
Filed May 17, 2024

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11589378
Incident
May 8, 2024
Filed Mar 15, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11512009
Incident
Mar 15, 2023
Suspension
Filed Mar 23, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11404428
Incident
Feb 4, 2020
Mileage
235,177 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 3, 2020

MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT AND IT IS VERY SLUGGISH IN FREEWAY AND WHILE WE IDLING. *TR

NHTSA ID
11327049
Incident
Jun 1, 2020
Mileage
250,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11255267
Incident
Sep 3, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Sep 16, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11129717
Incident
Aug 22, 2018
Mileage
130,000 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
Airbags
Filed Sep 23, 2017
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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

NHTSA ID
11025194
Incident
Sep 7, 2017
Mileage
27,600 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 24, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11010236
Incident
Jul 21, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 30, 2016

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

NHTSA ID
10891766
Incident
Jan 5, 2015
Mileage
60,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 23, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10861040
Incident
Mar 27, 2016
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 30, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10807467
Incident
Dec 1, 2006
Mileage
118,795 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2015

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!

NHTSA ID
10763721
Incident
Sep 14, 2015
Mileage
207,834 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Sep 12, 2015
Crash reported5 injuries reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10763308
Incident
Sep 10, 2015
Mileage
224,000 mi
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Feb 8, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10681983
Incident
Nov 20, 2013
Mileage
126,000 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
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10627499
Incident
Feb 12, 2014
Mileage
140,000 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
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 19, 2014

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM TIRE BUT DID NOT LOSE AIR AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. TIRE TREAD CAUSED OVER $2,000 DAMAGE TO THE BED OF THE 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PU AS THE TREAD EXPLOSIVELY SEPARATED FROM THE TRUCK. THE TIRE WAS 6 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS OLD WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT. WE DO LIVE IN AN AREA THAT EXPERIENCES SUMMERTIME TEMPS IN THE 90-110 DEGREE RANGE. THE TEMP THAT DAY IN MAY WAS ABOUT 90 DEGREES. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I JUST HAD ANOTHER DEFINITY DAKOTA H/T TIRE DEVELOP A BULGE AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE A TREAD SEPARATION ALSO. TIRE IS ON THE SAME VEHICLE AND THE SAME, PASSENGER SIDE REAR POSITION AS THE FIRST TIRE INCIDENT. BOTH TIRE WERE PURCHASED IN FEB 2007 AS A SET OF FOUR DEFINITY DAKOTA H/T. TIRES. I CHECKED WITH PEP BOYS AND THE LOCAL REP SAID HE WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES AND STATE THAT HE HAD THEM ON HIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10583691
Incident
May 18, 2013
Mileage
40,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 24, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE CLOCK SPRING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01V153000 (AIR BAGS, CRUISE CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 196,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10561291
Incident
Dec 1, 2008
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 25, 2013

I HAVE NOTICED THAT MOST IF NOT ALL DODGE VEHICLES ARE HAVING A PEELING PROBLEM WITH THE CLEAR COAT OF PAINT WHICH OVER TIME AFFECTS THE PAINT AND THEN RUSTS THE VEHICLES, WHETHER THEY ARE A CAR,SUV OR TRUCK. I AM ASSUMING THAT IT IS FROM WATERING DOWN THE PAINT TO SAVE MONIES FOR THE COMPANY BUT CHEATS THE CONSUMERS IN THE LONG RUN. SINCE THERE IS NO WARRANTIES ON THE PAINT THEN ONCE THIS PROBLEM IS NOTICEABLE IT IS TO LATE FOR THE CONSUMER TO CLAIM OR PURSUE ANY LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST DODGE. SHAME ON COOPERATE AMERICA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553782
Incident
Nov 25, 2013
Fuel system
Filed Jun 8, 2013

PURCHASED THIS 2000 DODGE DAKOTA , ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON STATING LARGE LEAK IN EVAP SYSTEM. P0455. FUEL LEAK AT GAS CAP. NO WAY TO FIX THIS, ODOR IS STRONG SMELL THE GAS LEAKING OUT. UNABLE TO PASS NYS INSPECTION! *TR

NHTSA ID
10515800
Incident
Apr 30, 2012
Mileage
41,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 16, 2013

2000 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK. CONSUMER REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION ON DEFECTIVE TIRES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES HE PURCHASED, WOULD LOSE AIR ON A CONSTANT BASIS. ALSO, THERE WERE RUST STAINS COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE TIRES.

NHTSA ID
10492781
Incident
Jan 1, 2013

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