MYRModel Year Report

2000 Dodge Dakota

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2000 Dodge Dakota
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Dakota Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2000 highlighted. 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaints 1987: 20 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1989 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 208 complaints 1996: 189 complaints 1997: 446 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 641 complaints 2000: 806 complaints 2000 2001: 678 complaints 2001 2002: 678 complaints 2003: 295 complaints 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2005 2006: 284 complaints 2007: 144 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints 2011
2000: 806 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19861
198720
198855
198964
199065
1991128
1992219
1993134
1994184
1995208
1996189
1997446
1998545
1999641
2000806
2001678
2002678
2003295
2004206
2005470
2006284
2007144
200891
200918
201035
201144

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SUSPENSION 46%

46% of complaints: suspension — 372 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing upper ball joint and lower ball joint.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO VEHICLE AT THIS TIME FOR ADDITIONAL INFO, ACCIDENT WAS VS TREE, FRONT END. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020916

SERVICE BRAKES 38%

38% of complaints: service brakes — 306 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND A STRONG BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE EMITTED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120813

"TAKATA RECALL" THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO LEAK EVEN AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180715

Also filed under STEERING and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 79 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUADCAB - I WAS GOING FORWARD IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I STOPPED THE TRUCK AND PUT IT IN "PARK", ENGINE STILL RUNNING. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS IT ENGAGED ITSELF IN REVERSE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030109

TRANSMISSION OIL PUMPS OUT OF FILLER TUBE ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE,AND STARTS A FIRE! *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20000329

STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 69 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and rack and pinion.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2000 — complaint volume: 806
I 20000721 — PE (closed 20010308)

FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMEN

R 20000821 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.

Remedy: 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 BE

Campaign 00V198000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000907 — PE (closed 20010309)

STOP LAMP SWITCH

R 20000911 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Remedy: 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 INSTAL

Campaign 00V193000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000911 — power train

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXPEL FLUID FROM THE FILL TUBE DURING NORMAL TEMPERATURE OPERATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE VENT HOSE AND ASSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

Campaign 00V197000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20010308 — EA (closed 20010817)

FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE

R 20010618 — air bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOC

Campaign 01V153000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20031119 — EA (closed 20050211)

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION

R 20041221 — suspension

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

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.

Campaign 04V596000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050125 — fuel system, gasoline

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 DOD

Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-305

Campaign 06E011000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — 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 S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060420 — 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 PERFORMAN

Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Campaign 06E024000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060731 — 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 RE

Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081105 — suspension

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 T

Remedy: SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.

Campaign 08E064000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — 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 CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2000 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (372 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (306 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (79 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V198000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V193000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V197000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V153000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V596000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E011000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E024000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E064000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2011 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2001 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2000 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Dodge Dakota is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Dakota?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Dakota have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.