Total Complaints
945 filings
DODGE DAKOTA · model year
945 NHTSA complaints, 58 crash reports, and 14 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001DODGEDAKOTA carries 945 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 58 crashes, 12 fires, 37 injuries, and 2 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 2001 DAKOTA is suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint with 162 filings, followed by suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (77) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (54). 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. This model year has 14 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2001 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.
Total Complaints
945 filings
Crashes Reported
58 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT | 162 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 77 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 54 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 36 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 33 |
| AIR BAGS | 25 |
| SUSPENSION | 22 |
| TIRES | 21 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 20 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 19 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 17 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 17 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 16 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 16 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | 15 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
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 NOI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIAT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999,
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) THAT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEADLAMP AND DASH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFED BY THE ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN OR LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
CHILD SEAT
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLU
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT OUTBOARD LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AR
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V366000 (Child Seat); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
My 2001 Dodge Dakota has a faulty SKIM system. The vehicle goes into No-Start/Stall while driving down the road. I have had it at a dealership and they do not have technical experience with these older vehicles that require an âantiquated software systemâ. This is a dangerous situation, particularly in foothills with winding roads.
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 vehicle towed to the residence on nine separate occasions. The vehicle was also towed to a dealer, where the PCM was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM). The contact believed that a defect with the SKIM had caused the sudden stall with the security light flashing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Mileage: 119,000
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 vehicle towed to the residence on nine separate occasions. The vehicle was also towed to a dealer, where the PCM was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM). The contact believed that a defect with the SKIM had caused the sudden stall with the security light flashing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Mileage: 119,000
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 mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 234,000.
Mileage: 234,000
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 joints needed to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.
Mileage: 300,000
The driver seat moves on its own about 2 inches forward and backwards.no accident has happened.
CRUISING ON INTERSTATE @ 70 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR STARTED ROARING AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DISINTEGRATE AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE UPPER WALL, WHEN STOPPED THE TIRE HAD BECOME 2 PIECES COMPLETELY SEVERED INTO TO SEPARATE CIRCLES. CONDITIONS WERE GOOD; IE; NO ROAD HAZARDS. WEATHER CLEAR, AND LIGHT TRAFFIC
Mileage: 197,661
THE GAUGES WOULD STOP WORKING. SEEMS THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION CMT AND I HAD THE EMC CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE. IT ONLY COSTS $90 TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. SEEMS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN REGARD TO THIS FAILURE. *TR
Mileage: 250,000
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, WHEN I TAPPED BRAKES SUDDENLY,. THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD TO USE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. AFTER PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. I LOOKED FOR SIGNS OF BROKEN BRAKE LINES AND/OR FLUID AND ALL LOOKED WELL. I HAVE HEARD OTHER REPORTS IDENTICAL TO MINE AND OTHERS PERTAINING TO 2WD MODELS WHERE THE BRAKES LOCK UP AT HIGHER SPEEDS INSTEAD OF NOT WORKING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS DRIVING SLOW AND WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD WITH LITTLE ACTIVITY. IF I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY FOR A CAR, KID OR PET. I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM.
Mileage: 158,416
FRONT CV AXLE(HUB AND BEARING) FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE INTERMEDIATE AXLE ALSO NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO SEVERE RUST FROM CV AXLE. THE UPPER UPPER BALL JOINT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUETE VISABILITY AT NIGHT.
Mileage: 185,000
FRONT CV AXLE(HUB AND BEARING) FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE INTERMEDIATE AXLE ALSO NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO SEVERE RUST FROM CV AXLE. THE UPPER UPPER BALL JOINT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUETE VISABILITY AT NIGHT.
Mileage: 185,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE KEY FOB WERE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO GET A USED PART BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER MADE THAT PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Mileage: 99,000
TAKATA RECALL EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET FAIL OVER TIME AND ALLOWING MORE FUMES AND ENGINE NOISE DOOR PINS NONE REPLACEIBLE AND WEAR OUT OVER TIME CAUSE DOOR DAMAGE
TAKATA RECALL EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET FAIL OVER TIME AND ALLOWING MORE FUMES AND ENGINE NOISE DOOR PINS NONE REPLACEIBLE AND WEAR OUT OVER TIME CAUSE DOOR DAMAGE
CLEAR COAT COMING OFF TRUCK BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE NEW. ESTIMATE ON REPAINT $4500.00
Mileage: 125,000
HELLO MY I AM DISAPOINTED THIS IS THE 3RD CAM SHAFT SENSOR ILL HAVE TO REPLACE AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON ERROR ON WHOEVER DESIGNED THIS IN RESULT CAR CAN SHUTSOWN WHILE DRIVING LEAVING YOU WITH NO CONTROL OR PERHAPS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WILLLL NOT STAY RUNNING WHY ISNT THERE A RECALL TO FIX THIS POBLEM FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD
Mileage: 189,000
HELLO MY I AM DISAPOINTED THIS IS THE 3RD CAM SHAFT SENSOR ILL HAVE TO REPLACE AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON ERROR ON WHOEVER DESIGNED THIS IN RESULT CAR CAN SHUTSOWN WHILE DRIVING LEAVING YOU WITH NO CONTROL OR PERHAPS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WILLLL NOT STAY RUNNING WHY ISNT THERE A RECALL TO FIX THIS POBLEM FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD
Mileage: 189,000
HELLO MY I AM DISAPOINTED THIS IS THE 3RD CAM SHAFT SENSOR ILL HAVE TO REPLACE AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON ERROR ON WHOEVER DESIGNED THIS IN RESULT CAR CAN SHUTSOWN WHILE DRIVING LEAVING YOU WITH NO CONTROL OR PERHAPS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WILLLL NOT STAY RUNNING WHY ISNT THERE A RECALL TO FIX THIS POBLEM FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD
Mileage: 189,000
WHILE DRIVING MY FRIENDS 01 DAKOTA, AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH AFTER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN I HYDROPLANED AND I WAS T-BONED ON PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD MY SEATBELT ON. WHEN THE TRUCK CAME TO A STOP AFTER SPINNING AROUND AND FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. ON IMPACT MY SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN ME AND I WAS THROWN INTO THE BACK SEAT WHERE MY HEAD HIT THE REAR WINDOW AND I SUB STAINED A VERY LARGE GASH TO MY HEAD.
Mileage: 168,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.