2001 Dodge Dakota problems
Owners have filed 945 complaints about the 2001 Dodge Dakota with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 32.5% of them — the clear leader, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 14.5%.
Complaints945
Crashes58
Fires12
Injuries37
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Suspension 32.5% · 307
Service brakes, hydraulic 14.5% · 137
Power train 10.5% · 99
Electrical system 6.5% · 61
Engine and engine cooling 5.7% · 54
Steering 5.2% · 49
Air bags 4.1% · 39
Visibility 3.5% · 33
Severity
Of those complaints, 58 describe a crash, 12 describe a fire, 37 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 18 model years of the Dodge Dakota in this data, 2001 sits 4th by complaint volume. 2000 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 18 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 50,000 miles.
In owners' own words
I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 2wd and I have a very loud popping noise coming from my left front suspension system that seems to be coming from the ball joint area. It happens when I turn sharp and hit a bump also. I understand from many people who own these vehicles that this is the first sign of a common problem with ball joints grinding and coming apart. This is a safety related issue that needs to be addressed. Suspension · reported at 5,000 miles
Dodge Dakota ball joint problem. I have once had them replaced at 30,000 miles due to an awful sound. The sound is back, this is a problem Dodge should be dealing with. After research it is my understanding that this is a very common problem that Dodge does not wish to deal with, and there has be serious accidents to which I want no part of. I'm guessing at the date of the first problem on this survey. Suspension · reported at 30,000 miles
Ball joints have failed after 29,000 miles. I brought it to the dealership twice complaining of the problem. They told me that there was not a problem and did not fix it. I took the truck to another mechanic he determined that it was a ball joint issue. The vehical is now out of warrantee, and I am affaid that the dealership is going to ask me to pay for the fix. I am waiting for the dealership to contact me. Suspension · reported at 29,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…