KnownCarProblems2001 Dodge Dakota Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 678 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge Dakota, most often about the suspension (35% of complaints, typically around 46,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Dakota model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2001 Dodge Dakota problems
Suspension
236 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear, multiple axle.
Ball joints on my 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup are already bad after 46k miles. I heard many complants about the same problem from other owners.
Consumer states when the vehicle goes over a bump in the road, theres is a banging noise. Took to dealer, and dealer is replacing the front upper ball joints.
Brakes
130 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, disc.
Brake rotors warped and were resurfaced at 15400 miles. During braking the truck bounced and the steering gyrated left and right severely. Truck now has 29000 (appx) miles and the rotors have warped again. Same vibration and steering wheel gyrations. Dangerous to stop quickly.
I purchased the vehicle used but it had new brakes. I had it for a month and drove approx. 1000 miles and the brake rotors became warped. I had them turned and they were fine. I drove the vehicle for approx. 5 more months and 6000 miles and the rotors became warped again. The vibrations occur very badly when braking…
Transmission
93 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, manual transmission.
Consumer states: that ABS light, engine light, and brake lights came on at the same time. The clutch packed in the rear differential is half inch long , and its job is to hold the clutches and lemon slipped differential, and it failed. It came out and shredded speed sensor in rear differential.
While driving at a slow speed the pinon gear shaft broke causing the drive shaft to fall out in the middle of a busy roadway. The rear differential locked shortly after the driveshaft fell into street. The truck had 56,000 miles on it and chrysler/Dodge refused to cover any part of the repair.
Electrical
58 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn, instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the interior dome and instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. In addition, the headlights and tail lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the central control timer module failed and needed to…
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the instrument cluster lights, windshield wipers, headlights, signal lights, and door locks stopped working without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the central control timing module needed to be replaced. The…
Engine
58 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Loss of engine compression, which resulted in the #3 cylinder misfiring and the check engine light staying on and not able to reset. Vehicle was at the mechanics shop for 2 weeks. After receiving vehicle back, check engine light came on again. When the problem of the #3 cylinder misfire was detected, it was caused by…
On thursday, december 29, 2005, I was returning home from findlay, oh, I was about 37 miles from home when the check gauges light came on and the oil pressure gage dropped to 0. I was able to get off the highway into a parking lot at which time the truck wouldn't start. I had the truck towed to the dealership where I…
Steering
48 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, hydraulic power assist system, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist.
I have 44,000 miles on my 2001 quad cab Dakota 4x4 and the steering has gotten really bad. It clunks and pops on turns and bumps so bad to the point I'm afraid to drive it. There is no reason this new of a vehicle and low mileage should have this kind of problem. Chrysler refuses to do anything about since my warranty…
The vehicle was rear ended which caused the power steering shaft to break. The manufacturer indicated that they were not responsible for the failure. Please provide any additional information.
Air bags
39 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4.7l quadcab and my horn, cruise and airbag all stopped working at the same time. I have seen a recall for this matter on 2000 vehicles, but not 2001. I am now operating without an airbag. Updated 02-01-08 updated 02/01/08 the consumer stated he is also without a horn and has not replaced it…
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The dealer advised that the clock spring would need to be replaced in order to correct the failure yet the part needed for repairs was on a national backorder. The dealer advised that the part was being…
Wheels and tires
35 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, rim, bead.
All 4 tires have crack around the bead of tire. Have spent over $500.00 in repairs, alignments, and tire balancing. Problem I think is from the steering response of the vehicle. This model needs upgraded tires.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The vehicle has cooper difinity Dakota h/t tires, size 235/75/r15 (na). While driving 75 MPH, the tread on the rear driver's side separated from the tires. The vehicle swerved and drove over the median into oncoming traffic. There was no crash. The tread was destroyed and flapped…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Dodge Dakota recalls
Transmission: column shift
Risk: Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: upper ball joint
Risk: Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: Improperly loading your vehicle can cause tire failure and result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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: wiring
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: An improperly tightened seat belt anchor may not provide the anticipated level of occupant restraint in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks. The front outboard lower seat belt anchor bolts may not be tightened correctly.
Transmission: column shift
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Child Seat
Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Upper ball joint separation
Summary
Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint retention capacity (NHTSA recall no. 04v-596).though dcc does not admit to a safety-defect in the subject components, odi believes that the facts in this investigation show otherwise.because of the low rates of separation incidents in the remaining subject vehicles, a safety-related defect has not been identified in those populations and further use of agency resources does no
Front safety belt anchorage
Summary
Allege that the front safety belt anchor bolts disengage from their mounting points or are found to be loose.
Questions about the 2001 Dodge Dakota
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Dakota?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (236 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles); brakes (130 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles); transmission (93 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Dakota have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 4, 2007 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Dodge Dakota?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Dakota model year since 2000, with 678 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.