1999 Dodge DAKOTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
575 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 329 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 224 of 575 complaints (39.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 100 | 17.4% |
| Steering behavior | 57 | 9.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 24 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 19 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 1.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 224 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 171 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 32 |
| Suspension | 32 |
| Suspension:Front | 24 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 22 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 20 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 19 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 224; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 171; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 32; Suspension: 32; Suspension:Front: 24; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 22; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 20; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 19
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 27 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 89 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 109 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 55 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 28 |
| 150,000 and above | 21 |
Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 89; 50,000 to 74,999: 109; 75,000 to 99,999: 55; 100,000 to 149,999: 28; 150,000 and above: 21
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (109). 246 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 60 |
| 2001 | 47 |
| 2002 | 29 |
| 2003 | 89 |
| 2004 | 160 |
| 2005 | 102 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 60; 2001: 47; 2002: 29; 2003: 89; 2004: 160; 2005: 102; 2006: 19; 2007: 13; 2008: 10; 2009: 16; 2010: 6; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 6; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 100 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 57 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 24 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000785 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
1999 DODGE DAKOTA R/T PICKUP REAR BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY DO NOT HOLD ADEQUATELY. WHEN THE TRUCK IS JACKED UP OFF THE GROUND AND PUT IN GEAR THE REAR BRAKES WILL FAIL TO HOLD THE WHEELS STOPPED ONCE THE ENGINE REACHES APPROXIMATELY 1000 RPM. THEY SHOULD HOLD THE WHEELS UP TO 2600 RPM. THIS CAUSES UNSAFE BRAKING, EXCESS WEAR AND WARPING OF THE FRONT ROTORS. I AM AWARE OF OTHER R/T OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND AT LEAST ONE HAS HAD THEIR TRUCK BOUGHT BACK BY DODGE RATHER THAN DEAL WITH FIXING THE PROBLEM. MY LOCAL DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007046 · 2001-12-12 (December 12, 2001)
E-BRAKE RUBBING AGAINST FRAME. INFORMED DEALER WHO PUT A RUBBER HOSE OVER CABLE. HOSE FELL OFF 20 MILES LATER. E-BRAKE WILL EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH AND FAIL. *JB *NLM ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****755550
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022557 · 2003-06-06 (June 6, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THEY WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE STEERING KNUCKLE. PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041698 · 2003-10-13 (October 13, 2003)
LOST OF STEERING IN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4, STEERING BOX EXPLODED. CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041698 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003066 · 2003-01-20 (January 20, 2003)
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. THE TRUCK HAS 47,078 MILES. TOO IT IN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED AN ENTIRE NEW TRANSMISSION OR THEY COULD REPAIR IT FOR $100.00 LESS THEN A FACTORY REBUILT TRANSMISSION. I DON'T FEEL AS THOUGH A TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE SLIPPING WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES ON IT. THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE FRONT CLUTCH PISTON WAS WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM. HAVE YOU HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS? I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE DUE TO THE LOW MILES. I FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004475 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES' AUTOMACTIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING GEARS. THIS RESULTED IN OTHER PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION BURNING OUT.(PARTS UNKNOWN). THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE RUBBER SEALS GOING BAD. THERE IS A TIS BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010312 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
WATER PUMP FAILURE, AFTER REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER EXHAUST LEAK DETECTED, SLOW SPEED FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, GEAR STICKS FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, ROUGH IDLING, ODOMETER READING FAILURE, ABS LIGHT STAYS ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS LIT, GAS TANK SENSOR FAILURE (READS EMPTY WHEN TANK IS FULL), WHEN DRIVING APPROX. 10 - 20 MPH ENGINE STALLS / SHUTS OFF, COMING TO STOP ENGINE SHUTS OFF, VEHICLE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES APPLIED TO COME TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN (REAR BRAKES), ENGINE PINGS / KNOCKS IN NORMAL OPERATION AT SPEEDS FROM 30 TO 70+ MPH…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065888 · 2004-04-10 (April 10, 2004)
MY 99 DAKOTA BEGAN HOWLING AND WHINNING IN THE REAR END. I HAD THE REAR END AND GEAR LUBE INSPECTED. GEAR LUBE WAS FULL, AND GEARS AND BEARINGS SHOWED NO SIGN OF WEAR. ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY ABS AND E-BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKE FLUID WAS NEARLY EMPTY. MECHANIC FOUND FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINERS WORN, AND REPAIRED AS NECASSARY. THIS DID NOT FIX ANY LIGHT OR NOISE PROBLEMS. AS SOON AS THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, MY SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT FUNCTION UNDER 40 MPH, AND ENGINE WOULD STALL AT STOPS. MECHANIC REMOVED DIFFERENTIAL, A…
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033419 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)
I TOOK MY TRUCK IN BECAUSE THE OIL PRESSURE WAS INTERMITTENTLY DROPPING TO 0 THEN BACK UP TO 40. THE DEALER PERFORMED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL TESTS BEFORE GOING TO THE PROBLEM. I DONT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TESTS DONE WHEN THE OIL PUMP HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM POSTED ALL OVER THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND NHTSA WEBSITES. THEY SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THAT FIRST.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 83,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043238 · 2003-10-20 (October 20, 2003)
1999 DODGE DAKOTA WIRING PROBLEM. MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA HAS A WIRING PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BE STUCK IN THE ON POSITION AND CAUSES THE TURN SIGNAL TO FREEZE WHILE AT A LONG LIGHT. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE IT CAN NOT BE DISENGAGED WITH THE BRAKE, YOU MUST MANUALLY TURN THE SYSTEM OFF. SUPERIOR DODGE IN NICHOLASVILLE, KY HAS ALREADY CHARGED ME FOR 2 HOURS LABOR TO TRY AND FIND THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE HAD NO LUCK FINDING THE SHORTED OUT WIRE YET. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049021 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 2WD DODGE DAKOTA ABOUT 5MPH WHEN THE DRIVE PINION GEAR SHAFT THAT GOES INTO THE REAR END SNAPPED CLEAN INTO TWO PIECES. IT CAUSED THE DRIVELINE TO FALL AND SPIN HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK INCLUDING THE GAS TANK AND CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCKUP AND STOP TURNING. (GOOD THING I WAS ONLY GOING 5MPH)*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049021 at NHTSA ↗