2000 Dodge Dakota Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Dakota years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 17 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 806 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Dodge Dakota. That is the most of any Dakota model year in the database (17 years). The most reported problem area is suspension (282 complaints, 35%), typically at around 50,000 miles. Complaints mention 60 crashes, 14 fires, 44 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 806owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 60complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2000 Dodge Dakota problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension problems | 282 | 35% | 50,000 | “ball joints” (58%) | $1,200 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 248 | 31% | 22,019 | “brake rotors” (19%) | $530 |
| Power Train problems | 74 | 9% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Steering problems | 68 | 8% | 60,000 | “tie rod” (35%) | $670 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 50 | 6% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 29 | 4% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 25 | 3% | 45,300 | — | — |
| Tires | 24 | 3% | 46,250 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 21 | 3% | 42,500 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 16 | 2% | 51,945 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 2% | 26,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 14 | 2% | 114,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 | 1% | 40,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 12 | 1% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 1% | 46,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 9 | 1% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 1% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 7 | 1% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 1% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 5 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 1% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 0% | 27,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 0% | 155,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2000 Dodge Dakota recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive (4x4), if moisture leaks into the front suspension upper ball joint, evacuation of the lubricant and corrosion of the joint may cause the joint to wear over an extended period of time. This could cause a clunking noise in the front suspension, which may not always be heard by the vehicle occupants.
Risk: Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension upper ball joints. This safety improvement campaign began on december 21, 2004. Owners can contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags
Problem: Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th vin position) from may 16, 2000 through october 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11th vin position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11th vin position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11th vin position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.
Risk: When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began june 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, will also be included in this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Vehicle description: pickup trucks built with 2.5l engines. Some vehicles may have been built with inadequate clearance between the left front brake tube and the power steering hose.
Risk: A puncture of the left front brake tube can result in a loss of braking force at the front wheels, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake tube and power steering hose for wear. If wear is evident, the brake tube and/or power steering hose will be replaced. A power steering standoff bracket will be installed on all vehicles to ensure that adequate clearance between the brake tube and power steering hose is maintained.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with 4.7l engine and automatic transmissions. The automatic transmission may expel fluid from the fill tube during normal temperature operation.
Risk: The transmission fluid could come into contact with the hot exhaust system and ignition of the transmission fluid could result.
Fix: Dealers will shorten the vent hose and assure adequate clearance.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Some vehicles may have been built with inadequate clearance between the rear axle vent hose and the brake hose.
Risk: A puncture in the rear brake hose will result in a loss of braking force at the rear wheels.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear brake hose for evidence of wear. Worn brake hoses will be replaced. The rear vent hose will be shortened by 3 inches and a clip will be installed to assure clearance between the axle vent line and brake hose is maintained.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Upper ball joint separation (EA03023) — opened Nov 19, 2003, closed Feb 11, 2005, led to recall 04V596000.
- Front safety belt anchorage (EA01010) — opened Mar 8, 2001, closed Aug 17, 2001, led to recall 01V233000.
- Stop lamp switch (PE00035) — opened Sep 7, 2000, closed Mar 9, 2001.
- Front safety belt anchorage disengagemen (PE00030) — opened Jul 21, 2000, closed Mar 8, 2001.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 1998 N/A Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while at the DMV to renew the tags, the contact was unable to register the vehicle because the vehicle was under recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V193000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the…
Unknown
Air bag light and Engine light comes on and off. Headlights, break lights, and blinkers keep going on and off while light switch is on. Rust on body due to clear coat peeling. Steering is sometimes hard to do even with full steering fluid. Shifts hard. Brake fluid has leaked. Coolant has leaked…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 DODGE DAKOTA EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRES, TIRE LINE: FUTURA, TIRE SIZE: 275/75/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE VERY LOUD WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK THE TIRES TO PEPBOYS (7725 W NEWBERRY RD, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606, [redacted]) TO BE INSPECTED. THE…
My transmission is not shifting right and it is very sluggish in freeway and while we idling. *tr
Other Dodge Dakota years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Dakota | 44 | 6 |
| 2010 Dakota | 35 | 7 |
| 2009 Dakota | 18 | 5 |
| 2008 Dakota | 91 | 2 |
| 2007 Dakota | 145 | 4 |
| 2006 Dakota | 285 | 5 |
| 2005 Dakota | 470 | 6 |
| 2004 Dakota | 206 | 1 |
| 2003 Dakota | 296 | 4 |
| 2002 Dakota | 678 | 5 |
| 2001 Dakota | 678 | 7 |
| 2000 | 806 | 5 |
| 1999 Dakota | 641 | 4 |
| 1998 Dakota | 545 | 5 |
| 1997 Dakota | 446 | 5 |
| 1996 Dakota | 189 | 1 |
| 1995 Dakota | 208 | 0 |
See all Dodge Dakota problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Dakota?
Owners most often report suspension, service brakes, hydraulic, power train problems. The top one, suspension, accounts for 282 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Dodge Dakota?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2000 Dodge Dakota a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Dakota model years, the 2000 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.