DODGE DAKOTA · model year

1999 DODGE DAKOTA

1011 NHTSA complaints, 67 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999DODGEDAKOTA carries 1011 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 67 crashes, 6 fires, 30 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 DAKOTA is suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint with 224 filings, followed by suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (171) and suspension (35). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1999 DAKOTA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1011
Complaints
67
Crashes
6
Fires
30
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

1011 filings

Crashes Reported

67 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT224
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT171
SUSPENSION35
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY32
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP26
SUSPENSION:FRONT26
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL21
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR21
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION21
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE16
TIRES15
STEERING15
SUSPENSION:REAR14

Recent Complaints

20210516SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVING ON TAKE OFF HEARD A PIPING ON RIGHT SIDE. FRONT TOOK TIRE OFF SEEN WHERE BOLTS ON CALIPER POP OUT FROM SPINDLE KNUCKLE ## VIN PASSED ## ##

Mileage: 2,010,000

20190924ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OFTEN WHEN I START MY TRUCK THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WILL GO ALL THE WAY UP, THE GAUGE FOR THE BATTERY STAYS DOWN, AND WHEN IT DOES START, THE SERPENTINE BELT WILL SQUEAL, SOMETIMES IT WILL START AND IDLE, OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT IDLE, UNLESS I KEEP MY FOOT ON THE GAS, AS SOON AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS IT WILL STALL, AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, EVERYTHING WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL AND IT RUNS FINE, BUT LATELY, ITS BEEN DOING IT MORE OFTEN, WHEN IT DOES THIS, THERE IS A FOUL SMELL COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I HAVE HAD IT SCANNED AND NO CODES CAME UP ON THE SCANNER. I DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, SO IF THERE IS A RECALL PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW A RECALL WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE LAST TIME WAS 9/23/2019, WHEN I STARTED IT TODAY, IT RAN FINE.

Mileage: 110,000

20190106ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 153,362

20190106FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 153,362

20190106POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 153,362

20181231FireTIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA EQUIPPED WITH FOUR BRAND NEW COOPER CORNELL 1000 ALL SEASON TIRES, SIZE: P235/75R15. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. AS THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OFF THE MAIN ROAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT PEP BOYS ON DECEMBER 28, 2018. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PEP BOYS AND RETURNED THE DAMAGED TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CLOSED AND COULD NOT BE REACHED UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAYS. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 261,122. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228.

Mileage: 261,122

20171116SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT 30 MPH NEEDING TO BRAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GONE. RIGHT FRONT CALIPER BOLT BROKE THREAD AND THE CALIPER CAME OFF THE SPINDLE, STEERING CAUSED MORE GRINDING AND THEN I THOUGHT OF THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME SPINDLE BEFORE, BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE NOW OR BEFORE. I CAN';T FIND A USED/NEW SPINDLE TO REPAIR IT AND IT JUST PASSED INSPECTION.

Mileage: 153,000

20171116STEERING

DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT 30 MPH NEEDING TO BRAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GONE. RIGHT FRONT CALIPER BOLT BROKE THREAD AND THE CALIPER CAME OFF THE SPINDLE, STEERING CAUSED MORE GRINDING AND THEN I THOUGHT OF THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME SPINDLE BEFORE, BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE NOW OR BEFORE. I CAN';T FIND A USED/NEW SPINDLE TO REPAIR IT AND IT JUST PASSED INSPECTION.

Mileage: 153,000

20171116WHEELS

DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT 30 MPH NEEDING TO BRAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GONE. RIGHT FRONT CALIPER BOLT BROKE THREAD AND THE CALIPER CAME OFF THE SPINDLE, STEERING CAUSED MORE GRINDING AND THEN I THOUGHT OF THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME SPINDLE BEFORE, BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE NOW OR BEFORE. I CAN';T FIND A USED/NEW SPINDLE TO REPAIR IT AND IT JUST PASSED INSPECTION.

Mileage: 153,000

20171018SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES CAME APART WHEN APPLIED, NO BRAKE. RATTLE ON ROTORS, PAD DAMAGE. BOLTS THAT GO THROUGH CALIPER STRIPPED THREADS FROM SPINDLE FREEING CALIPER TO BOUNCE ON ROTOR I HAVE REPLACED WITH USED PART ONCE HOPING FOR RECALL, BAD NEWS DUDE!!!

Mileage: 125,000

20171018STEERING

BRAKES CAME APART WHEN APPLIED, NO BRAKE. RATTLE ON ROTORS, PAD DAMAGE. BOLTS THAT GO THROUGH CALIPER STRIPPED THREADS FROM SPINDLE FREEING CALIPER TO BOUNCE ON ROTOR I HAVE REPLACED WITH USED PART ONCE HOPING FOR RECALL, BAD NEWS DUDE!!!

Mileage: 125,000

20171018SUSPENSION

BRAKES CAME APART WHEN APPLIED, NO BRAKE. RATTLE ON ROTORS, PAD DAMAGE. BOLTS THAT GO THROUGH CALIPER STRIPPED THREADS FROM SPINDLE FREEING CALIPER TO BOUNCE ON ROTOR I HAVE REPLACED WITH USED PART ONCE HOPING FOR RECALL, BAD NEWS DUDE!!!

Mileage: 125,000

20170917POWER TRAIN

THE NUT CAME OFF THE PINION

Mileage: 186,000

20170312SUSPENSION

NOUSE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP. MECHANIC SAID ALL THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD.HE SAID THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED ,THERE WAS NO PLACE TO GREASE THEM CAUSING THEM TO RUST AND WEAR OUT .BAD CHEAP WAY DODGE MAKES THERE VEHICLES. WHAT HAPPEN TO THE DAYS WHEN DODGE MADE GOOD SAFE CARS AND TRUCKS.

20161014SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A LOWER CONTROL ARM TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

20150519VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I ALREADY CHANGE THE 2 FRONT WHEEL HUB THIS YEAR N MY PROBLEM IS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL,THERE IS A KNOCK COMING WHEN I ENGAGE IT TO DRIVE OR REVERSE.IT SEEM THE SPINDLE GEAR IS LOOSE.

Mileage: 38,500

20150426ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. SEVERAL TIME THE TRUCK WILL NOT START OR WILL SHUT DOWN A FEW MINUTES/MILES AFTER STARTING. THE TRUCK HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS EVEN 'KICK' STARTING HAS NO EFFECT. AFTER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN, 10 TO 15 MINUTES LATER IT STARTS UP WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN CITY TRAFFIC. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

20140907ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF; MOTOR, BRAKES, STEERING. ODOMETER READS "NO BUS" AND NON OF THE GAUGES IN THE CLUSTER WORK. AFTER RESETTING THE COMPUTER BY UNPLUGGIN THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL AND VEHICLE COOLS, IT STARTS UP. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN AS I HAVE READ FOR MANY OWNERS OF SIMILAR MODELS AND YEARS. IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I DRIVE CONGESTED HIGHWAYS TO AND FROM WORK. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND ACCOUNTED FOR. *TR

Mileage: 93,540

20140902SUSPENSION

PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND STARTED DOWN STREET COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. THE 1999 DODGE DAKOTA R/T STARTED SCREECHING. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SEE WHAT WAS PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL EXCEPT ON ONE SIDE. I GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TURNED TOWARDS THE RIGHT WHILE THE LEFT WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE WAS BROKE FROM THE FRAME OR WELD. THE CONTROL ARM WAS HANGING FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE WELD. I ALSO HAVE PICS OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BREAK. *TR

Mileage: 171,000

20140820STEERING

FOUND U-JOINTS ON STEERING SHAFT FAILING. ABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL 1/8TH TURN WITH NO RESPONSE FROM VEHICLE. PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1998 V6 DAKOTA AND A 1998 V8 DAKOTA WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM. REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT ON ALL THREE VEHICLES. I UNDERSTAND FORD CROWN VICTORIAS/ MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS/ LINCOLN TOWNCARS HAVE A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR CONDITION ON THEIR STEERING SHAFTS. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

Compare 1999DODGEDAKOTA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 DODGE DAKOTA have?
The 1999 DODGE DAKOTA has 1011 NHTSA complaints, 67 crashes, 6 fires, 30 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 DODGE DAKOTA?
The most-complained component for the 1999 DODGE DAKOTA is SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT with 224 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT and SUSPENSION.
Is the 1999 DODGE DAKOTA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.