21 of the
1,096 complaints about the 2000 Dodge Dakota are about the
electrical system — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
42,500 miles.
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
NHTSA complaint #10807467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesPittsburgh, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #10416618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesCentereach, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10248710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kuna, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10113726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,500 milesMoline, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10059882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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
NHTSA complaint #10051776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesWaxhaw, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SPARK PLUGS KNOCK IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE INTAKE GASKET. DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #10044953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,800 milesCamano Island, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10041636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesAuburn, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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 complaint #10007982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stafford, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S COMPUTER IS DEFECTIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE EMISSION TEST AND THE DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND SERVICED THE FUEL INJECTION. BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED THE EMISSION TEST AGAIN. ANOTHER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER COULD POSSIBLY BE THE CAUSE. YH
NHTSA complaint #8019650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Lewis, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY NOTICED RADIO POP. THEN, WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM VENT. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE STARTED FROM ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #8010155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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 complaint #9003688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simsbury, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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.
NHTSA complaint #742657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marble Falls, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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 complaint #882961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Humble, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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.
NHTSA complaint #740314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethlehem, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
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.
NHTSA complaint #739396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Towanda, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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 complaint #739667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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 complaint #878773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT OPERATE SMOOTHLY. ON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION MOVEMENT IS ERRATIC (JERKY); IT MOVES AS IF IT IS GETTING STUCK. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 3 TIMES WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THEY NOW SAY THIS OPERATION IS 'NORMAL' BEACUSE IT IS ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER CONTROLLED. THEY NOW APPEAR TO BE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ELSE TO THE TRUCK. THE SUSPENSION POPS/CLUNKS WHEN MAKING SHARP RIGHT TURNS. IT OCCASIONALLY WILL ALSO POP WHEN STOPPING AND IMMEDIATELY AGAIN UPON STARTUP (GOING STRAIGHT). THE INTENSITY OF THE NOISE VARIES. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT GETS WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #737014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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 complaint #737681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benavides, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 3000 MILES. ALSO, ENGINE WAS MISSING SPARK PLUGS.
NHTSA complaint #857846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.