2001 Dodge Dakota Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the 2001 Dodge Dakota, 35% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 46,129 miles. The words owners use most often: “ball joints” (57% of reports).
- 236suspension complaints
- 46,129median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ball joints: mentioned in 134 of 236 complaints (57%)
- Front end: mentioned in 51 of 236 complaints (22%)
- Quad cab: mentioned in 28 of 236 complaints (12%)
- Upper lower: mentioned in 16 of 236 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical suspension repair on the 2001 Dodge Dakota at $1,000, and half of them between $350 and $1,900.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2005), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 164 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 236 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
Dodge Dakota suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Dakota | 1 | 2% | 60,500 |
| 2010 Dakota | 2 | 6% | 44,200 |
| 2008 Dakota | 5 | 5% | 67,171 |
| 2007 Dakota | 13 | 9% | 47,000 |
| 2006 Dakota | 25 | 9% | 47,000 |
| 2005 Dakota | 51 | 11% | 45,000 |
| 2004 Dakota | 45 | 22% | 32,047 |
| 2003 Dakota | 100 | 34% | 34,900 |
| 2002 Dakota | 226 | 33% | 35,000 |
| 2001 Dakota | 236 | 35% | 46,129 |
| 2000 Dakota | 282 | 35% | 50,000 |
| 1999 Dakota | 342 | 53% | 55,500 |
| 1998 Dakota | 217 | 40% | 62,000 |
| 1997 Dakota | 142 | 32% | 62,000 |
| 1996 Dakota | 12 | 6% | 45,000 |
| 1995 Dakota | 17 | 8% | 21,794 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a wobble coming from the front passengerâs side tire. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ball…
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge dakota. The contact stated that he was informed that the upper ball joint was worn. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the upper ball joints need to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified…
I started noticing a "lurch or lateral shift" of the front end during tight left and right turns at low speed (35 mph or less). Driving at highway speeds on straight roads did not indicate any problems. Recently, during a brake system inspection, significant "slop / free movement" at the upper ball…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2001 Dodge Dakotas have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 236 owner complaints about suspension for the 2001 Dodge Dakota (35% of the 678 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Dodge Dakota suspension?
Yes: 1 safety recall list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do suspension problems start?
The median reported mileage is 46,129 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix suspension problems on the 2001 Dodge Dakota?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,000 (half paid between $350 and $1,900), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the 2001 Dodge Dakota?
The most frequent phrase is “ball joints”, in 134 of 236 complaints, followed by “front end” (51).
Other 2001 Dodge Dakota problems
See all 2001 Dodge Dakota problems or suspension problems across all Dakota years.