2001 Dodge Dakota Problems

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a wobble coming from the front passenger’s side tire. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ball joints needed to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS WORN. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,647.

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, WHEN I TAPPED BRAKES SUDDENLY,. THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD TO USE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. AFTER PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. I LOOKED FOR SIGNS OF BROKEN BRAKE LINES AND/OR FLUID AND ALL LOOKED WELL. I HAVE HEARD OTHER REPORTS IDENTICAL TO MINE AND OTHERS PERTAINING TO 2WD MODELS WHERE THE BRAKES LOCK UP AT HIGHER SPEEDS INSTEAD OF NOT WORKING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS DRIVING SLOW AND WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD WITH LITTLE ACTIVITY. IF I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY FOR A CAR, KID OR PET. I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM.

COMPUTER CONTROL OF HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR AND DASH LIGHTING, AND POSSIBLY THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE INTERMITTENT WIPER CONTROL ARE AFFECTED. WITHOUT WARNING THESE SYSTEMS EITHER FAILED OR BECAME ERRATIC. VEHICLE EXHIBITS THESE MALFUNCTIONS BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION, AND AT ALL SPEEDS. IT IS APPARENTLY NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE, AS PER INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET. THE (TEMPORARY?) FIX IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FOR 15+ MINUTES, POSSIBLE CAUSE: THE COMPUTER CONNECTORS.

TAKATA RECALL EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET FAIL OVER TIME AND ALLOWING MORE FUMES AND ENGINE NOISE DOOR PINS NONE REPLACEIBLE AND WEAR OUT OVER TIME CAUSE DOOR DAMAGE

HELLO MY I AM DISAPOINTED THIS IS THE 3RD CAM SHAFT SENSOR ILL HAVE TO REPLACE AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON ERROR ON WHOEVER DESIGNED THIS IN RESULT CAR CAN SHUTSOWN WHILE DRIVING LEAVING YOU WITH NO CONTROL OR PERHAPS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WILLLL NOT STAY RUNNING WHY ISNT THERE A RECALL TO FIX THIS POBLEM FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ERRONEOUSLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V077000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. *TR

NO CRASH, NO INJURIES. 2001 DODGE DAKOTA CREW CAB, COLUMN SHIFTER SHIFTS OUT OF PARK WITH OUT PRESSING BRAKE WHILE THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION. *TR

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the catalytic converter replaced, the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact had to have the vehicle towed to the residence on nine separate occasions. The vehicle was also towed to a dealer, where the PCM was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM). The contact believed that a defect with the SKIM had caused the sudden stall with the security light flashing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.

THE GAUGES WOULD STOP WORKING. SEEMS THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION CMT AND I HAD THE EMC CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE. IT ONLY COSTS $90 TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. SEEMS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN REGARD TO THIS FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE A GEAR WAS LOOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME, WHERE THE TIE ROD AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 2001. HE LOST CONTROL ON A GRAVEL ROAD AND WENT OFF THE EDGE OF A DITCH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND HE WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. HIS PASSENGER WAS INJURED, BUT SURVIVED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS IN HORRIBLE SHAPE, AND THERE IS NO WAY AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED......UPDATED 11/14/17 *BF *TR

UNIT ONE WAS TRAVELING EAST ON GREENBRIER ROAD IN THE INSIDE LANE. THE DRIVER OF UNIT 1 STATED IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY AND HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE. DUE TO VEHICLE HYDROPLAINING UNIT 1 CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND ENTERED THE WEST BOUND TRAFFIC LANES UNIT 2 WAS COMING WEST ON GREENBRIER IN THE INSIDE LANE UNIT3 WAS TRAVELING WEST ON GREENBRIER IN THE OUTSIDE LANE UNIT1 CROSSED IN FRONT OF UNIT2 COLLIDED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF UNIT1 UNIT1 FISHTAILED COUNTER CLOCKWISE AND CAME TO REST ON THE WEST BOUND SIDE OF GREENBRIER UNIT2 FISHTAILED CLOCKWISE AND WAS STRUCK BY UNIT 3 THE DRIVER OF UNIT3 STATED HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID UNIT 1 BY SWERVING TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH UNIT 2 AS IT SPUN TOWARDS HIS VEHICLE THE AIR BAGS IN UNIT ONE BEING MY VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY AND PASSENGER WAS BADLY INJURED. *TR

CRUISING ON INTERSTATE @ 70 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR STARTED ROARING AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DISINTEGRATE AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE UPPER WALL, WHEN STOPPED THE TIRE HAD BECOME 2 PIECES COMPLETELY SEVERED INTO TO SEPARATE CIRCLES. CONDITIONS WERE GOOD; IE; NO ROAD HAZARDS. WEATHER CLEAR, AND LIGHT TRAFFIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DIFINITY DAKOTA H/T TIRES, SIZE 235/75/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND DROVE OVER THE MEDIAN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE TREAD WAS DESTROYED AND FLAPPED AGAINST THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK AND LUMBAR AREA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the catalytic converter replaced, the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact had to have the vehicle towed to the residence on nine separate occasions. The vehicle was also towed to a dealer, where the PCM was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM). The contact believed that a defect with the SKIM had caused the sudden stall with the security light flashing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shifted out of gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park(P) but rolled unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 234,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE HEATER IN ACTIVATION AND SUDDENLY THE HEATER FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE EMITTING INTO OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE HEATER BLOWER RELAY WIRES MELTED. THE FAILURE CAUSED PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE HEATER BLOWER RELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

AN EXISTING NHTSA RECALL, 06V039000, EXISTS FOR 2006 DODGE DAKOTAS. "STATIC CAN DISABLE HEADLAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, & WINDSHIELD WIPERS". I HAVE A 2001 DAKOTA WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT HAPPEN 2-5 TIMES PER YEAR. EVERYTHING WORKS AGAIN IF I CYCLE THE IGNITION, BUT THAT 'S SMALL COMFORT IF THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT @ 75 MPH. DODGE HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT FOR FREE, SAYING THAT IT ONLY APPLIES TO 2006. IF IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A 2006, THEN IT IS A SAFETY RISK FOR 2001 TOO. THE KNOWN FIX IS TO "RE-FLASH" THE DASH, WHICH I ASSUME MEANS TO REPROGRAM THE DASH CONTROL PROCESSOR.

I BOUGHT MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB BRAND NEW AND UNTIL THIS DATE, I HAVE ONLY HAD ONE ISSUE. THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR QUIT AND WAS REPLACED IN 2008. ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2010, MY CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT. THINKING IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR, I WAS NOT IN A RUSH TO FIX IT. THEN THE HORN QUIT WORKING. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, I TOOK IT IN TO BE SERVICED. MY CONCERN IS THAT I HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS A PREVIOUS RECALL, BUT MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT PERIOD. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART IS EXPENSIVE. LOOKING ONLINE, IT APPEARS DODGE IS NOT MAKING GOOD. MY VIN # MATCHES THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. AFTER CONTACTING DODGE (11/10/10), I WAS OFFERED A 50% REFUND ON REPAIR WORK. THIS SAYS TO ME THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH OTHER MODELS/YEAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE NO MATTER HOW OLD THE VEHICLE IS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH DODGE. *TR

THE HORN QUIT THE CRUISE CONTROLS QUIT WORKING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ARE ON AIR BAGS ARE DEAD THE CLOCK SPRING IS BAD IN ALL THE 2000 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 'S ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER SAID SOUNDS LIKE YOU GOT A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

FRONT CV AXLE(HUB AND BEARING) FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE INTERMEDIATE AXLE ALSO NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO SEVERE RUST FROM CV AXLE. THE UPPER UPPER BALL JOINT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUETE VISABILITY AT NIGHT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

The driver seat moves on its own about 2 inches forward and backwards.no accident has happened.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOME AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTRAL CONTROL TIMER MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TT

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN NEW, I INSTALLED A CURT MANUFACTURING TOW HITCH. I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY VEHICLES. I TOW ONLY ON RARE OCCASIONS, PROBABLY 6-10 DAYS A YEAR. RECENTLY, I NOTICED EXTREME CORROSION ON THE SIDE SUPPORTS AND MAIN TUBE OF THE TOW HITCH. I HAVE NO OTHER CORROSION OF THIS SORT ON MY VEHICLE. THE SIDES SEEM TO BE CORRODING IN SHEETS (STEEL) AS IF IT WAS A PLYWOOD. IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO TOW ANYTHING WHILE IT IS IN THIS CONDITION. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CURT HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTEE. I CONTACTED THEM AND SENT PICTURES. I BELIEVE IT MAY BE INFERIOR STEEL OR COATING FROM FACTORY. ANYWAYS, THEY DENIED MY CLAIM. I WANTED A REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ORIGINAL RECEIPT AND INSTRUCTIONS. I AM CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MY HAVE THIS, AND IF NOT ADDRESSED COULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC TOWING ACCIDENT AS EVERYTHING TOWED CONNECTS ONLY TO THIS ACCESSORY. *TR

ACCELERATION WOULD OCCUR WHEN IN PARK POSITION. IT WOULD ALSO OCCUR AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS. THIS LEAD TO THE CADILLAC CONVERTER TO MALFUNCTION AND FAIL, NEXT THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT, THE O2 SENSOR, AND VARIOUS BELTS. MY TRUCK IS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA WITH ONLY 78,000 MILES, THE REPAIRS WILL REACH 2000.00 I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT A VEHICLE WITH THESE LOW MILES SHOULD NOT OCCUR. THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS A CA EMISSIONS ONE, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE. THIS SHOULD HAD NEVER HAPPENED, MY TRUCK IS DRIVEN 10 MILES A DAY. *TR

CLEAR COAT COMING OFF TRUCK BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE NEW. ESTIMATE ON REPAINT $4500.00

TAKATA RECALL THIS TRUCKS FRAME JUST BROKE. IT'S A CLEAN BREAK AND LOOKS TO BE RIGHT ON A WELD. THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION I THOUGHT I HIT A BIG BUMP. IT ALSO RUPTURED THE GAS TANK. WE CALLED CHRYSLER COOPERATION AND THEY SAID TO HAVE A LOCAL DEALER LOOK AT IT. THEY DID AND TOLD US IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH WE ALREADY KNEW. I WAS SHOCKED THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HELP AND CONSIDER RECALLING THE OTHER TRUCKS FROM THE TIME AND PLACE THIS ONE WAS MADE TO CHECK THEIR FRAMES. I TRIED TO SEND PICTURES BUT IT WON'T LET ME ON HERE THIS IS MY SECOND ATTEMPT. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT SOMEONE FROM THE HIGHWAY SAFETY DEPARTMENT SHOULD AT LEAST LOOK AT. PLEASE GET A HOLD OF ME SO I CAN SEND YOU A PICTURE OF THIS BROKEN FRAME SO YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DETERMINATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. AND THIS TRUCK WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE FRAME BROKE I THOUGHT I'D HIT A BIG POTHOLE *JS

My 2001 Dodge Dakota has a faulty SKIM system. The vehicle goes into No-Start/Stall while driving down the road. I have had it at a dealership and they do not have technical experience with these older vehicles that require an “antiquated software system”. This is a dangerous situation, particularly in foothills with winding roads.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED ONE OF THE TUBES ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

FOR THE 2ND TIME THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE A/C,HEATER HAS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE DEALER HAD THE TRUCK FOR OVER A WEEK THE FIRST AND IT REALLY NEVER SEEM TO WORK RIGHT. THE FRONT HEAD LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. *JB

FLOODED FLOOR BOARDS, FOUND OUT AFTER INQUIRE ABOUT NEW CARPET(APPROXIMATELY $600.00) THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) UNIT ON MY 2001 DAKOTA, THAT "ON MANY OF THESE VEHICLES THE A/C DRAIN HOSES WE EITHER INSTALLED WRONG OR JUST NOT PUT ON AT THE FACTORY". AT LEAST THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS FACT, EVEN THOUGH I HAD TO DRIVE MY "BRAND NEW TRUCK" AROUND FOR 2 1/2 WEEKS WITH NO CARPET IN IT. IT WAS REPLACED FOR FREE. *LA

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V366000 (Child Seat); 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 contact had not experienced a failure.

WHILE DRIVING MY FRIENDS 01 DAKOTA, AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH AFTER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN I HYDROPLANED AND I WAS T-BONED ON PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD MY SEATBELT ON. WHEN THE TRUCK CAME TO A STOP AFTER SPINNING AROUND AND FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. ON IMPACT MY SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN ME AND I WAS THROWN INTO THE BACK SEAT WHERE MY HEAD HIT THE REAR WINDOW AND I SUB STAINED A VERY LARGE GASH TO MY HEAD.