2000 Dodge Dakota problems
Owners have filed 1,096 complaints about the 2000 Dodge Dakota with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 33.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 27.3%.
Complaints1,096
Crashes77
Fires16
Injuries62
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Suspension 33.9% · 372
Service brakes, hydraulic 27.3% · 299
Power train 7.2% · 79
Steering 6.3% · 69
Engine and engine cooling 4.9% · 54
Air bags 2.6% · 29
Visibility 2.3% · 25
Tires 2.2% · 24
Severity
Of those complaints, 77 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire, 62 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 18 model years of the Dodge Dakota in this data, 2000 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 5 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 51,000 miles.
In owners' own words
I have a 2000 ddge Dakota & went to get a tire fixed & learned that my front tires are about to fall off!!! I had no idea that the upper ball joints were bad! Then I found out that a recall may be issued for these concidering how many have went bad!!! I am just very lucky that my 2 infant children were not injured in an accident do to a falty part that has not been recalled yet! Is there going to be a recall??? Suspension
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. Suspension · reported at 110,000 miles
4 Way flashes failed repeatedly (crushed wiring harness was discovered while looking for source of different problem). Front brake rotors warped again & again. Rotors turned 2-3 times, replaced once, then turned again. Smoke coming from center a/c vents in dash. Rear leaf springs were replaced. 2 Days after smoking dash repair radiator fan would not shut off, requiring operator to open hood and pull approiate fuse. Suspension
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…