Dodge Dakota Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 716 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Dodge Dakota across 17 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (93). The words owners use most often: “transfer case” (5% of reports).
- 716power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 56mention a crash
- 22mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- $2,550typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%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.
- Transfer case: mentioned in 37 of 716 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Dodge Dakota at $2,550, and half of them between $790 and $3,700.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2010), 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 power train problems happen?
Based on 376 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 716 complaints, 56 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 22 an injury.
Dodge Dakota power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Dakota | 8 | 18% | 28,455 |
| 2010 Dakota | 7 | 20% | 65,000 |
| 2009 Dakota | 6 | 33% | 50,000 |
| 2008 Dakota | 10 | 11% | 57,000 |
| 2007 Dakota | 24 | 17% | 39,000 |
| 2006 Dakota | 36 | 13% | 50,000 |
| 2005 Dakota | 81 | 17% | 85,000 |
| 2004 Dakota | 19 | 9% | 34,000 |
| 2003 Dakota | 38 | 13% | 12,500 |
| 2002 Dakota | 89 | 13% | 50,000 |
| 2001 Dakota | 93 | 14% | 56,982 |
| 2000 Dakota | 74 | 9% | 60,000 |
| 1999 Dakota | 56 | 9% | 92,000 |
| 1998 Dakota | 74 | 14% | 79,000 |
| 1997 Dakota | 46 | 10% | 53,990 |
| 1996 Dakota | 28 | 15% | — |
| 1995 Dakota | 27 | 13% | 49,330 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Fix: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Model years: 2009, 2010
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.
Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Model years: 2001, 2002
Problem: On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system may become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "park" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "lock" position). This can also allow the ignition key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the "park" position.
Risk: Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during january 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2007
Problem: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 mph and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
Risk: If the drive wheels locked up, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on october 2, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2005
Problem: On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Risk: If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Model years: 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The electric shift transfer case may not fully engage into gear when the operator moves the transfer case selector switch.
Risk: This could cause the transfer case to end up in the neutral position unexpectedly and allow the vehicle to roll away if the parking brake is not applied.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the transfer case control module. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. 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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2000
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle Has Experienced all Dash waring lights & noises going on and off while driving Threw multiple codes saying the PCM was not connecting with the ODB2 reader , Vehicle would not crank or start 2 times did a Hard reset and it started, the end result is all Dash Lights luminated when Key is on…
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the catalytic converter replaced, the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact had to have the…
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shifted out of gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park(P) but rolled unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent…
My 2002 Dodge Dakota sometime will not go into park. other times it will jump out and go into reverse. this has caused my vehicle to roll backwards and destroyed neighbors mailbox. to get it into park takes several tries. I now must use my parking brake anytime I am parked.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Dakotas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 716 owner complaints about power train for the Dodge Dakota. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Dakota power train?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Dodge Dakota?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,550 (half paid between $790 and $3,700), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Dodge Dakota?
The most frequent phrase is “transfer case”, in 37 of 716 complaints.
Other Dodge Dakota problems
- Suspension problems (1,716)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (969)
- Air Bags problems (659)
- Steering problems (555)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (432)
- Electrical System problems (376)
- Visibility problems (179)
- Tires problems (169)
See all Dodge Dakota problems.