RoadVitals

2000 Dodge Dakota Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
20
Latest Nov 30, 2015
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.
2%
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.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. 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. 20 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 electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SPUTTER OR HESITATE PRIOR TO STALLING AND WHEN THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING, HE IS NOT ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS TO PLAY WITH THE REMOTE TO GET THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF, AND STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,900.

NHTSA ID
10416618
Incident
Jul 17, 2011
Mileage
78,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 13, 2008
Fire reported

ENGINE OVERHEATED RELAY AND RELAY BOARD MELTED. CAN NOT REPLACE RELAY DODGE KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND SELLS A RELAY RELOCATION DEVICE. THIS IS DEFECT AND THEY KNOW IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10248710
Incident
Nov 6, 2008
Mileage
45,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 18, 2005

THE TILT FEATURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE CONSUMER'S 2000 DODGE DAKOTA SHORTED OUT A WIRE WHICH CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT. *NM THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS 16 MONTHS OLD AND RECURRED 12 MONTHS LATER. *SC

NHTSA ID
10113726
Incident
Feb 1, 2005
Electrical
Filed Apr 1, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING COLUMN/HEADLIGHTS. WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS IN THE TILT UPRIGHT POSITION, THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS OPERATED. WHEN THE TILT STEERING WHEEL WAS IN THE STRAIGHT POSITION THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT AUTOMATICALLY.*AK THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THE LOW BEAM WIRE AT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH HAD BROKEN AT THE CONNECTION AND SHORTED OUT.*JB

NHTSA ID
10059882
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
Mileage
42,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 9, 2003
Fire reported

GSA FLEET VEHICLE DEFECT REPORT.*MR THE DEFECT REPORT CONCERNS THE 2000 DODGE DAKOTA WHICH HAD A FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE VEHICLE'S DASH. *CB *JB

NHTSA ID
10051776
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 29, 2003

THE SPARK PLUGS KNOCK IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE INTAKE GASKET. DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET. *AK

NHTSA ID
10044953
Mileage
35,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 11, 2003

SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE (DATE BELOW FIRST INCIDENT) SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK; ABS LIGHT STAYS ON; COMPUTER SHORTED OUT; DEALER FOUND COMPUTER BOLTED ON TOP OF WIRES; FAN STAYED ON; DATES VARY OVER LAST 1 1/2 YEARS NUMBER OF FAILURES IS A BEST GUESS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041636
Incident
Aug 7, 2002
Mileage
1,800 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 22, 2003
Fire reported

RADIO WAS POPPING DURING DRIVE FROM SEATTLE TO MONTANA. AFTER A DINNER BREAK IN IDAHO, ENGINE DIED AFTER DRIVING ACROSS BRIDGE TO GET BACK ON FREEWAY. SMOKE WAS ISSUING FROM HOOD (REAR DRIVERS SIDE OF HOOD) BEFORE COASTING TO A STOP. VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ENGINE WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED - VEHICILE TOTALLED. FIRE CHIEF (SHOSHONE COUNTY, IDAHO) SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE FIRE STARTED EITHER IN OR UNDER THE FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD. DODGE SENT A FIRE ENGINEER TO INSPECT VEHICLED BUT WON'T SHARE THE RESULTS.

NHTSA ID
10007982
Incident
Nov 27, 2002
Mileage
42,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 20, 2002
Fire reported

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY NOTICED RADIO POP. THEN, WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM VENT. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE STARTED FROM ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
8010155
Incident
May 17, 2002
Body & structureBrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 11, 2002

PAINT, MOLDING TOO MANY TO LIST

NHTSA ID
9005657
Incident
Apr 24, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 16, 2001

NOTICED NOISE UPON STARTING IN MORNING. FOUND BATTERY CABLE THAT GOES TO STARTER HAD CAME IN CONTACT WITH POWER STEERING PULLEY DUE TO CABLE NOT BEING IN RETAINING CLIP. REPLACED BATTERY CABLE ASSEMBLY. UPON REPLACEMENT OLD CABLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN CUT BY PULLEY INTO THE COPPER WIRE ABOUT 1/6".

NHTSA ID
9003688
Incident
Aug 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Mar 19, 2001
Fire reported

AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD, AND ALL THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE BAY WAS ON FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS A COMPLETE LOSS DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE. *AK

NHTSA ID
742657
Incident
Mar 18, 2001
Electrical
Filed Mar 13, 2001
Fire reported

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND CAME UPON A STOP LIGHT. STARTED TO SMELL BURNING WIRES. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. INSURANCE TOTALED VEHICLE.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
882961
Incident
Feb 15, 2001
Electrical
Filed Feb 1, 2001
Fire reported

VEHICLE GAVE NO WARNING TO FIRE OPERATED FINE UNTIL SHUT DOWN TO INVESTIGATE SMOKE. DEALERSHIP IS NOT WANTING ME TO KNOW CAUSE OF FAILTY WIRE AT POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER.*AK

NHTSA ID
740314
Incident
Jan 26, 2001
ElectricalEngineSuspension
Filed Jan 23, 2001

VEHICLE DIES IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND BACKING UP INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. ALSO, THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
878773
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jan 20, 2001

THE POSITION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL. POINT OF EXTRA KEYS DANGLING FROM KEY RING CAN SWING AND BECOME LODGED IN HOLE IN BACK OF STEERING WHEEL DURING LEFT HAND TURN. END RESULT IS STEERING LOCKED AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE MADE TO PLUG HOLES ON BACK SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME AND PROBLEM CAN EASILY BE DUPLICATED. I HAVE TEMPORARILY PUT DUCT TAPE OVER HOLES TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
739667
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jan 15, 2001

AS OF 10/22/00 UNTIL 01/14/01 I HAVE HAD 18 PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. WONT START AT DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT WILL RESTART AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. TRANSMISSION STAYS IN 3RD GEAR OR SLIPS IN & OUT OF GEAR. BRAKES MAKE GROWLING NOISE & SHUTTER. TRUCK WILL DIE WITH NO WARNING. HAS SPARK KNOCK WITH 87 OR 89 OCTANE FUEL. MANY PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ID
739396
Incident
Jan 12, 2001
Electrical
Filed Dec 11, 2000

INITIAL PROBLEM (MILEAGE 17,803)WAS THAT THE TRUCK DID NOT WANT TO START, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TRUCK FINALLY STARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE BEFORE MENTIONED DEALER. THEY CHECKED THE CODES: NO CRANK REFERENCE SIGNAL AT POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, REPLACED CRANK SENSOR AND RETESTED O.K. / (MILEAGE 18,809) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR TWO DAYS, IDLE WAS ERRATIC INTERMITTENTLY, LIGHT WENT OUT. CAME BACK ON ONE DAY LATER WITH SAME ERRATIC IDL, TRUCK STALLED ONCE AT IDLE BUT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. TOOK IT AGAIN TO SAME DEALER. THEY CHECKED THE CODES, SCANNED THE SENSORS AND FOUND AN OPEN CIRCUIT INSIDE THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THEY ORDERED AND REPLACED THE MODULE.(MILEAGE 19,341) SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN, ERRATIC IDLE AT TIMES. RETURNED TO SAME DEALER WHO FOUND BAD GROUND CONNECTION IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. REPLACED THE MODULE AND IT RETESTED O.K. (MILEAGE APPROX 19, 370) WHILE DRIVING 40-45MPH VEHICLE JERKED STRONGLY AS IF ENGINE MOMENTARILY STALLED AND RESTARTED, IMMEDIATELY AFTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DROVE LIKE IT HAD A HEAVY LOAD IN THE BED. IDLE WAS ERRATIC AND WOULD STALL UNLESS SHIFTED INTO NUTRAL AND REVVED. THIS LASTED FOR APPROX 5 MILES. UPON STARTING UP AGAIN THE TRUCK WOULD RUN NORMALLY EXEPT THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STILL BE ON. RETURNED AGAIN TO THE SAME DEALER: THAY FOUND THE BATTERY TO FAIL LOAD TEST AND REPLACED IT. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. IT WAS TEST DRIVEN FOR 70 MILES BY THE DEALER WITH NO RECURRENCE. (MILEAGE APPROX 19,430) SAME DAY AFTER PICKING UP THE TRUCK FROM THE DEALER AND APPROX 15 MILES AND AGAIN DRIVING 40-45 MPH THE TRUCK JERKED STRONGLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SAME SLUGGISH POWER AND ERRATIC IDLE AS BEFORE. THIS HAS ALL TRANSPIRED WITHIN A TWO MONTH PERIOD, THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN CONFERRING WITH "DETROIT". I CANNOT FIND ANY REFERENCE ON THE INTERNET AS TO A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, OR LIKEWISE ANY SERVICE BULLETINS. THANKS

NHTSA ID
737681
Incident
Nov 10, 2000
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Mar 2, 2000

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 3000 MILES. ALSO, ENGINE WAS MISSING SPARK PLUGS. *AK

NHTSA ID
857846
Incident
Dec 25, 1999

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .