FaultScore

Dodge Dakota engine problems

597 of the 9,236 complaints filed about the Dodge Dakota are about the engine — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

597

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

14

Crashes

26

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1986 Dakota 1 0.2%
1987 Dakota 3 0.5%
1988 Dakota 4 0.7%

Median failure at 47,950 miles

1989 Dakota 10 1.7%

Median failure at 167,000 miles

1990 Dakota 6 1.0%
1991 Dakota 7 1.2%
1992 Dakota 24 4.0%

Median failure at 164,000 miles

1993 Dakota 15 2.5%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

1994 Dakota 17 2.8%
1995 Dakota 21 3.5%

Median failure at 13,000 miles

1996 Dakota 28 4.7%

Median failure at 167,250 miles

1997 Dakota 56 9.4%

Median failure at 76,000 miles

1998 Dakota 66 11.1%

Median failure at 89,000 miles

1999 Dakota 77 12.9%

Median failure at 55,824 miles

2000 Dakota 61 10.2%

Median failure at 60,818 miles

2001 Dakota 59 9.9%

Median failure at 62,105 miles

2002 Dakota 38 6.4%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2003 Dakota 36 6.0%

Median failure at 6,222 miles

2004 Dakota 12 2.0%

Median failure at 7,910 miles

2005 Dakota 23 3.9%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2006 Dakota 15 2.5%

Median failure at 38,513 miles

2007 Dakota 7 1.2%

Median failure at 28,000 miles

2008 Dakota 4 0.7%

Median failure at 48,732 miles

2009 Dakota 2 0.3%

Median failure at 97,773 miles

2010 Dakota 2 0.3%

Median failure at 103,750 miles

2011 Dakota 3 0.5%

Median failure at 82,329 miles

What owners said

2000 Dodge Dakota Williamsburg, VA

ENGINE

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11589378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Dodge Dakota Augusta, GA

ENGINE

1 Safety recall found,Reprogram Pcm and inspect Catalytic Converter.I never got a recall notice in the mail just happen to go on line and find it.My engine light,Anti -brake light and emergency light stays on.My speedometer and odometer quit working.I took my truck to the Dodge dealership and they said the parts are discontinued and they cannot get them but they did do a inspection and said everything was ok.I still have the same problems and I am concerned about my safety and the safety of others involved while I am driving my truck.

NHTSA complaint #11486564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Dodge Dakota at 210,000 miles Wedgefield, SC

ENGINE

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. During the failure, there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal a clicking noise was present and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 210,000.

NHTSA complaint #11465684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge Dakota at 169,000 miles Camden, NJ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.

NHTSA complaint #11406104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Dodge Dakota at 165,000 miles Milwaukie, OR Fire 5 injured

ENGINE

WELL MY TRUCK WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE RD AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF OUT OF NO WHERE AND I ALMOST GOT IN A COUPLE OF WRECKS BECAUSE OF IT FLICKERING AND I HAVE CHANGED AND FIXED EVERYTHING AND IT STILL DOSE IT SO IT LIKE A WIRE ISSUE OR SOMETHING BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF IT THEN MY ENGINE WILL LIKE STOP OR SOMETHING WHEN I AM DRIVING AND JERK MY TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BACKFIRE HELLA BAD LIKE GUNS ARE GOING OFF AND IT'S BLEW MY MUFFLER UP 10 TIMES AND BLEW MY CATILLAC CONVERTER UP 5 TIMES AND BLEW MY HEADERS OFF AND BROKE THE BOLTS INSIDE MY HEADS AND I ONLY HAVE 169 K MILES ON IT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING BECAUSE THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE RD AND IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK LIKE I CAME REALLY CLOSE I WAS GOING DONE THE FREE WAY AND IT LIKE STOPPED THEN JERKED ME INTO THE BARRIER BUT THANK GOD I AVOIDED IT THEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS FLICKERING OFF AND ON AND JERKING LIKE IT DOSE I HAD 2 WHEELS IN A 5FT DITCH BECAUSE OF THAT GOING 55 MPH I WOULD HAVE DIED IF I WENT FULLY IN IT THEN FOR THE BACKFIRE AND BLOWING MY WHOLE EXHAUST UP I HAVE SEEN 5 PEOPLE WRECK BECAUSE OF MY EXHUST SYSTEM THEY WHERE FINE BUT THERE CAR WASN'T BECAUSE OF MY EXHUST AND I ONLY GET LIKE 4 MPG I LIVE LIKE 10 MILES FROM WORK AND I HAVE TO FILL IT EVERYDAY BECAUSE IT SUCKS HELLA GAS JUST ONLY 20 MILES ROUND TRIP FROM FULL IT'S BASICALLY ON EMPTY LIKE THE NEXT DAY I GO TO THE GAS STATION MY GAS LIGHT COMES ON

NHTSA complaint #11402594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge Dakota Menifee, CA

ENGINE

IT IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING THROWING OFF MORE CODES. PASSAGER AIRBAG ALSO KEEP TURNING OFF. ALSO WELL DRIVING THE CAR JERKS BACK?

NHTSA complaint #11387299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Dakota at 83,996 miles Pittsford, VT

ENGINE

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO FROM A LOCAL DEALER WITH 28,000 MILES ON IT.THE PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT IT NEW.I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS OF WHAT WAS DONE TO IT INCLUDING OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES.HAVE ALWAYS TREATED IT LIKE A BABY AND BRAGGED ABOUT IT.NOW HAS 84,016 MILES ON IT AND ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING.TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A LOWER ENGINE KNOCK AND THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.CALLED DODGE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT UP TO 100,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT.I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT TO AT LEAST 100,00 MILES.NOW I HAVE A USELESS VEHICLE AND NOTHING TO DRIVE

NHTSA complaint #11339556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge Dakota at 171,000 miles Spring Grove, PA Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL FLOORED FAILING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THEY NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT SHORTLY NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FIRE NEAR THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY HAD THEIR WIFE CONTACT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED. VEHICLE TOWED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO INFORM THEM THAT THE FIRE REPORT REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE'S MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAUSED FIRE. THE VEHICLE DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE MATTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA complaint #11331463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Dodge Dakota at 250,000 miles Sault Sainte Marie, MI

ENGINE

MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT AND IT IS VERY SLUGGISH IN FREEWAY AND WHILE WE IDLING.

NHTSA complaint #11327049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Dakota at 72,000 miles Lincoln, NE

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A COOLANT LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS PUNCTURED BY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA complaint #11311705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Dodge Dakota Ionia, MO

ENGINE

THIS 2001 DODGE DAKOTA COMES UP WITH CODE P0601 IT SAYS IT IS A MEMORY CHECK SUM ERROR. IT COMES ON INTERMITTENT IN COLD WEATHER. IF YOU CLEAR THE CODE IT MIGHT COME RIGHT BACK OR IT MIGHT STAY OFF IT IS ANNOYING SOMETIMES IT MESSES WITH THE ABS MAKING THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE HANG UP

NHTSA complaint #11309374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge Dakota at 62,000 miles Orangeburg, SC

ENGINE

TICKING NOISE FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD. EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS & STUDS PREMATURELY BROKE! LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES ARE ABLE TO ENTER PASSENGER CABIN & CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD! THIS ISSUE NEEDS A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS, BOLTS & STUDS THAT ARE OF AN IMPROVED GRADE TO CORRECT THIS FACTORY INSTALLATION SAFETY ISSUE ON BOTH LEFT & RIGHT HAND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS!!

NHTSA complaint #11246205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge Dakota at 62,500 miles Orangeburg, SC

ENGINE

TICKING NOISE COMING FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLDS! EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS & STUDS ARE BREAKING PREMATURELY ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT! NEW BETTER GRADE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS & STUDS PLUS GASKETS NEED TO BE INSTALLED ON BOTH LEFT & RIGHT HAND SIDE MANIFOLDS WITH A RECALL TO CORRECTLY REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS FACTORY INSTALLED DEFECT!!

NHTSA complaint #11246207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Dodge Dakota Hoopeston, IL

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #11196799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge Dakota at 127,000 miles ST Paul, MN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11190223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge Dakota at 102 miles Crossett, AR

ENGINE

MY OIL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU CRANK THE TRUCK AND SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN OFF ONCE YOU CRANK THE TRUCK AGAIN. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE SEEN LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE SAID IT'S EITHER THE SENSOR OR THE OIL PRESSURE DESCENDING UNIT. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS IF SO I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED. WE HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING ELSE SO THIS SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM Y'ALL NEED TO LOOK INTO HIS AND GET THIS FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #11183927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Dodge Dakota at 133,000 miles Kingsport, TN

ENGINE

ENGINE MYSTERIOUSLY DIES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT MAY HAPPEN AT IDLE ALL THE WAY TO AND INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DRY WEATHER OR WET WEATHER. COLD WEATHER OR HOT WEATHER. COLD ENGINE OR WARM ENGINE. NO PATTERN DETECTED. IT DOESN'T SPLUTTER -- IT JUST DIES AS IF THE IGNITION KEY HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, AND IT THROWS NO CODE.

NHTSA complaint #11182413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge Dakota at 174,000 miles Hammond, LA

ENGINE

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE CAUSING EXHAUST FUMES TO FILTER INTO THE CABIN. THE FILTRATION OF EXHAUST FUME OCCURS WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. ACCORDING TO DEALER IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11171091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Dodge Dakota at 153,362 miles Lansing, MI

ENGINE

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY IN A UNPREDICTABLE PATTERN. VEHICLE RESTARTS AFTER STALLING 7 OUT OF 10 TIMES. WHEN IT WONT RESTART IMMEDIATELY AFTER STALLING IT WILL TAKE UPWARDS OF 10 MINUTES TO ACHIEVE ENGINE OPERATION. I'VE REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, AS WELL THE CAM POSITION SENSOR. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #11165446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Dodge Dakota at 189,000 miles Citrus Heights, CA

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #11165444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge Dakota problems