2001 Dodge DAKOTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
678 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 413 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 162 of 678 complaints (23.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 150 | 22.1% |
| Steering behavior | 52 | 7.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 47 | 6.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 27 | 4.0% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 0.9% |
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 | 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 |
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
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 79 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 122 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 102 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 50 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 33 |
| 150,000 and above | 27 |
Under 25,000: 79; 25,000 to 49,999: 122; 50,000 to 74,999: 102; 75,000 to 99,999: 50; 100,000 to 149,999: 33; 150,000 and above: 27
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (122). 265 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 | 1 |
| 2001 | 48 |
| 2002 | 69 |
| 2003 | 133 |
| 2004 | 194 |
| 2005 | 66 |
| 2006 | 27 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2000: 1; 2001: 48; 2002: 69; 2003: 133; 2004: 194; 2005: 66; 2006: 27; 2007: 17; 2008: 24; 2009: 11; 2010: 21; 2011: 11; 2012: 5; 2013: 9; 2014: 8; 2015: 8; 2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2023: 1; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 150 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 52 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 47 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001588 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTISIDE AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SIDE THREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. ALL FOUR TIRES AND INCLUDING THE SPARE WAS REPLACE. THE TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR WRANGLER ST/P21575R15 PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002310 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002310 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002729 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
LOAD CLUNK COMING FROM FRONT SUSPENSION
Owner-reported narrative. 4,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003172 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
AUTO TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY ON ACCELEARTION. REQUIRED TRANSDUCER AND SOLENOID GOVERNOR VALVE REPLACEMENT TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR. FIRST TIME IT WS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, ONE YEAR AND 17,901 MILES LATER, REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED AND NOT COVERED UNDER DODGE WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 44,095 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003444 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
2001 DAKOTA QUAD CAB HAS A LOUD KNOCK IN FRONT SUSPENSION. THREE DEALERS UNABLE TO FIX. THE TRUCK HAS HAD MANY FRONT END PARTS REPLACED AND THE FRAME WELDED. FOR A TOTAL OF 10 TIMES TO THE DEALERS WITHIN A 6 MONTH PEROID. STILL UNBLE TO FIX. I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE AND SAFTEY OF VEHICLE. CHYRSLER HAS OFFERED NO SOLUTION AND VERY UNCOOPERATIVE WITH PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005250 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
THERE ARE NO INJURIES THAT I KNOW OF YET BUT I BELIEVE THERE COULD BE. I'M A MECHANICAL DESIGNER FOR AN ENGINEERING FIRM AND AN AVID CAR ENTHUSIAST. THE PROBLEM IS IN DODGE MAGNUM ENGINE 5.9L FUEL RAILS I''M NOT SURE WHAT ALL YEARS/MODELS/ENGINES THIS TYPE OF RAIL IS USED IN BUT MINE IS A 2001 DAKOTA 5.9L I BELIEVE IT''S THE SAME FOR DODGE RAM AND DODGE DURANGO. THE PROBLEM IS ON THE FUEL RAIL THERE IS A TEST PORT WHERE A MECHANIC CAN TEST FUEL PRESSURE IF THERE IS A FUEL PROBLEM. WHERE THE PORT IS ATTACHED TO THE RAIL (BY BRAZING I THINK) SEEM…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005670 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
SHIFTS INTO NETURAL WHILE DRIVING WILL NOT UPSHIFT FROM LOWER GEAR VECHICLE STILL AT DEALER STILL HAS NOT DIANOSONED PROBLEM HAS HAD SINCE 2/6/03 WHILE I PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,336 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005845 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
FRONT BRAKE GRINDING WHEN HOT AND CONTINUAL REAR BRAKE DRUM WARPAGE. DEALER HAS TURNED THE DRUMS ONCE AND I HAVE HAD IT DONE INDEPENDANTLY TWICE. WARPAGE CONTINUES WITHIN 5-7000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005845 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V366000 · Child Seat
Reported: 2000-11-09 (November 9, 2000)
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, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V077000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
Reported: 2001-03-07 (March 7, 2001)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V233000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 2001-07-05 (July 5, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT OUTBOARD LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY NOT PROVIDE THE ANTICIPATED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT RESTRAINT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 19, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V389000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2003-10-10 (October 10, 2003)
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.
Consequence: THIS COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN, AND, WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS AND REPAIR THE HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V505000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
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."
Consequence: IMPROPERLY LOADING YOUR VEHICLE CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL OVERLAYS CONTAINING CORRECTED INFORMATION RELATIVE TO VEHICLE GAWR AND TIRE SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V596000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
Reported: 2004-12-21 (December 21, 2004)
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 NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Consequence: EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V555000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
Reported: 2007-12-04 (December 4, 2007)
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.
Consequence: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗