Dodge Dakota Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 969 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge Dakota across 15 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (248). The words owners use most often: “brake rotors” (12% of reports).
- 969service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 85mention a crash
- 25mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $650typical repair cost reported by owners
- 27%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.
- Brake rotors: mentioned in 118 of 969 complaints (12%)
- Front brakes: mentioned in 70 of 969 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Dodge Dakota at $650, and half of them between $270 and $940.
Based on 26 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2008), 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 service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 463 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 969 complaints, 85 mention a crash, 17 a fire, 25 an injury.
Dodge Dakota service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Dakota | 1 | 2% | 1,000 |
| 2008 Dakota | 4 | 4% | 30,656 |
| 2007 Dakota | 4 | 3% | 26,500 |
| 2006 Dakota | 15 | 5% | 18,600 |
| 2005 Dakota | 67 | 14% | 9,200 |
| 2004 Dakota | 21 | 10% | 12,666 |
| 2003 Dakota | 44 | 15% | 7,827 |
| 2002 Dakota | 177 | 26% | 30,000 |
| 2001 Dakota | 118 | 17% | 23,662 |
| 2000 Dakota | 248 | 31% | 22,019 |
| 1999 Dakota | 85 | 13% | 60,000 |
| 1998 Dakota | 68 | 12% | 76,500 |
| 1997 Dakota | 68 | 15% | 70,000 |
| 1996 Dakota | 23 | 12% | 235,000 |
| 1995 Dakota | 26 | 13% | 90,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2006
Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel antilock brake systems (abs), the abs electronic control unit (ecu) may cause a loss of front to rear brake balance, and the rear brakes could lock up prematurely during certain braking conditions.
Risk: This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the abs ecu. The recall is expected to begin during the week of july 17, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module; service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks (2 wheel drive only). The front brake hoses or anti-lock brake system (abs) sensor wire may be abraded at the front wheels by contact with a front wheelhouse splash shield.
Risk: Prolonged brake hose contact can cause a partial loss of the braking system. Prolonged abs sensor wire contact can cause a loss of abs function.
Fix: Dealers will trim the front wheelhouse splash shields and the brake hoses and abs sensor wires will be inspected. If evidence of abrasion is found on any hose or abs wire, they will be replaced.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Model years: 1996
Problem: The power brake booster vacuum hose could be improperly installed and not clamped to the brake booster vacuum nipple.
Risk: A disconnected vacuum hose can cause an increase in engine idle speed and loss of brake power assist during brake application without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles to insure that the brake booster vacuum hose connection is fully seated and clamped to the vacuum check valve nipple at the brake booster.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are 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…
The contact owned a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 25 MPH and attempting to slow the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. As a result, the vehicle careened off the roadway…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated, pulled to the right, with a burning odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the caliper had failed. The calipers had been…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge dakota. While driving 20 mph, the brakes were dragging and caused the vehicle to bounce. The contact stated that the calipers were sticking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired; however…
2002 dodge dakota consumer is concerned about brake line *cn the consumer stated the vehicle was manufactured with inferior materials. The gas tank straps broke and the transmission and brake lines had rusted and were leaking. The repair shop replaced the brake line and brake hose. *jb
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Dakotas have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 969 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic 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 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge Dakota?
Owners report a typical cost of $650 (half paid between $270 and $940), from 26 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge Dakota?
The most frequent phrase is “brake rotors”, in 118 of 969 complaints, followed by “front brakes” (70).
Other Dodge Dakota problems
- Suspension problems (1,716)
- Power Train problems (716)
- 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.