1999 Dodge Dakota

Above average

Owners filed 641 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › front › control arm › upper ball joint. It has been recalled 10 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

329 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint135
100
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint97
100
Suspension27
009
Suspension › Front24
000
Air Bags › Frontal20
1909
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip19
602
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline17
110
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor15
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission13
100
Tires12
010

10 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Suspension › Front › Hub08E064000
Filed Oct 20, 20082,805 vehiclesSkf Usa, Inc.

Defect. 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 WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.

Risk. IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

Defect. 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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. 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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling06E024000
Filed Mar 15, 200644,386 vehiclesK&n Engineering, Inc.

Defect. 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, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Risk. A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

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

Air Bags01V153000
Filed May 8, 2001216,100 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. 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 ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

Risk. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

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 CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. 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.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor01V119000
Filed Apr 11, 2001161,682 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Risk. IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings00V193000
Filed Jul 17, 200040,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. A PUNCTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE IS MAINTAINED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings00V198000
Filed Jul 17, 2000437,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

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

Risk. A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.

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 BETWEEN THE AXLE VENT LINE AND BRAKE HOSE IS MAINTAINED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed May 16, 20212,010,000 milesGA

DRIVING ON TAKE OFF HEARD A PIPING ON RIGHT SIDE. FRONT TOOK TIRE OFF SEEN WHERE BOLTS ON CALIPER POP OUT FROM SPINDLE KNUCKLE ## VIN PASSED ## ##

Electrical System
Filed Sep 24, 2019110,000 milesMI

OFTEN WHEN I START MY TRUCK THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WILL GO ALL THE WAY UP, THE GAUGE FOR THE BATTERY STAYS DOWN, AND WHEN IT DOES START, THE SERPENTINE BELT WILL SQUEAL, SOMETIMES IT WILL START AND IDLE, OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT IDLE, UNLESS I KEEP MY FOOT ON THE GAS, AS SOON AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS IT WILL STALL, AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, EVERYTHING WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL AND IT RUNS FINE, BUT LATELY, ITS BEEN DOING IT MORE OFTEN, WHEN IT DOES THIS, THERE IS A FOUL SMELL COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I HAVE HAD IT SCANNED AND NO CODES CAME UP ON THE SCANNER. I DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, SO IF THERE IS A RECALL PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW A RECALL WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE LAST TIME WAS 9/23/2019, WHEN I STARTED IT TODAY, IT RAN FINE.

Engine
Filed Jan 6, 2019153,362 milesMI

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY IN A UNPREDICTABLE PATTERN. VEHICLE RESTARTS AFTER STALLING 7 OUT OF 10 TIMES. WHEN IT WONT RESTART IMMEDIATELY AFTER STALLING IT WILL TAKE UPWARDS OF 10 MINUTES TO ACHIEVE ENGINE OPERATION. I'VE REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, AS WELL THE CAM POSITION SENSOR. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY.

TiresFire
Filed Dec 31, 2018261,122 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA EQUIPPED WITH FOUR BRAND NEW COOPER CORNELL 1000 ALL SEASON TIRES, SIZE: P235/75R15. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. AS THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OFF THE MAIN ROAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT PEP BOYS ON DECEMBER 28, 2018. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PEP BOYS AND RETURNED THE DAMAGED TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CLOSED AND COULD NOT BE REACHED UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAYS. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 261,122. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 16, 2017153,000 milesNY

DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT 30 MPH NEEDING TO BRAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GONE. RIGHT FRONT CALIPER BOLT BROKE THREAD AND THE CALIPER CAME OFF THE SPINDLE, STEERING CAUSED MORE GRINDING AND THEN I THOUGHT OF THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME SPINDLE BEFORE, BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE NOW OR BEFORE. I CAN';T FIND A USED/NEW SPINDLE TO REPAIR IT AND IT JUST PASSED INSPECTION.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2017125,000 milesNY

BRAKES CAME APART WHEN APPLIED, NO BRAKE. RATTLE ON ROTORS, PAD DAMAGE. BOLTS THAT GO THROUGH CALIPER STRIPPED THREADS FROM SPINDLE FREEING CALIPER TO BOUNCE ON ROTOR I HAVE REPLACED WITH USED PART ONCE HOPING FOR RECALL, BAD NEWS DUDE!!!

Power Train
Filed Sep 17, 2017186,000 milesTN

THE NUT CAME OFF THE PINION

Suspension
Filed Mar 12, 2017MD

NOUSE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP. MECHANIC SAID ALL THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD.HE SAID THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED ,THERE WAS NO PLACE TO GREASE THEM CAUSING THEM TO RUST AND WEAR OUT .BAD CHEAP WAY DODGE MAKES THERE VEHICLES. WHAT HAPPEN TO THE DAYS WHEN DODGE MADE GOOD SAFE CARS AND TRUCKS.

Suspension
Filed Oct 14, 201663,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A LOWER CONTROL ARM TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 19, 201538,500 milesCT

I ALREADY CHANGE THE 2 FRONT WHEEL HUB THIS YEAR N MY PROBLEM IS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL,THERE IS A KNOCK COMING WHEN I ENGAGE IT TO DRIVE OR REVERSE.IT SEEM THE SPINDLE GEAR IS LOOSE.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 26, 2015160,000 milesVA

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. SEVERAL TIME THE TRUCK WILL NOT START OR WILL SHUT DOWN A FEW MINUTES/MILES AFTER STARTING. THE TRUCK HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS EVEN 'KICK' STARTING HAS NO EFFECT. AFTER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN, 10 TO 15 MINUTES LATER IT STARTS UP WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN CITY TRAFFIC. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 201493,540 milesMA

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF; MOTOR, BRAKES, STEERING. ODOMETER READS "NO BUS" AND NON OF THE GAUGES IN THE CLUSTER WORK. AFTER RESETTING THE COMPUTER BY UNPLUGGIN THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL AND VEHICLE COOLS, IT STARTS UP. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN AS I HAVE READ FOR MANY OWNERS OF SIMILAR MODELS AND YEARS. IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I DRIVE CONGESTED HIGHWAYS TO AND FROM WORK. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND ACCOUNTED FOR. *TR

Suspension
Filed Sep 2, 2014171,000 milesTX

PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND STARTED DOWN STREET COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. THE 1999 DODGE DAKOTA R/T STARTED SCREECHING. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SEE WHAT WAS PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL EXCEPT ON ONE SIDE. I GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TURNED TOWARDS THE RIGHT WHILE THE LEFT WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE WAS BROKE FROM THE FRAME OR WELD. THE CONTROL ARM WAS HANGING FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE WELD. I ALSO HAVE PICS OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BREAK. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 20, 2014150,000 milesMA

FOUND U-JOINTS ON STEERING SHAFT FAILING. ABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL 1/8TH TURN WITH NO RESPONSE FROM VEHICLE. PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1998 V6 DAKOTA AND A 1998 V8 DAKOTA WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM. REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT ON ALL THREE VEHICLES. I UNDERSTAND FORD CROWN VICTORIAS/ MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS/ LINCOLN TOWNCARS HAVE A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR CONDITION ON THEIR STEERING SHAFTS. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 8, 2014158,000 milesPA

I GOT THE '99 DAKOTA ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO AND LIKED IT DROVE PRETTY GOOD EVEN THROUGH THE WEEK WHEN IT WAS ALL SINGLE DIGITS NO PROBLEM. THEN ONCE IT STARTED TO WARM UP INTO THE MID TO HIGH TEENS AND UP TO THEN 60S AND 70 IT WOULD SHAKE AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. IT ALWAYS SEEMED TO START AT ABOUT 45 THEN ONCE THE ENGINE WARMED UP IT WOULD STOP. THAT STOPPED NOW THAT ITS IN THE 80S AND 90S. NOW I BARELY HAVE POWER STEERING AND LOOKING AT IT, IT SEEMS TO BE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WHICH LOOKING AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'M SURPRISED YOU HAVEN'T LOOKED INTO IT FOR IT TO BE RECALLED BY NOW ALONG WITH THE TIE RODS, BALL JOINTS, ETC. THESE THINGS SEEM TO BE FALLING APART AT THE FRONT. I JUST HOPE NOBODY DIES BEFORE THIS IS FIXED. *JS

Structure › Body
Filed May 16, 2014115,690 milesKY

I HAD BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN FEB OF 2013 FROM A PRIVATE SELLER AND I HAD NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE WAS LEANING A BIT MORE THAN THE REST OF THE TRUCK, SO I CRAWLED UNDER AND LO AND BEHOLD I NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT THE CAB MOUNTS WAS ALMOST GONE , AND I GOT TO LOOKING AND THE WHOLE ENTIRE FRAME FROM FRONT TO REAR WAS RUSTED REALLY REALLY BAD. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME RUST THAT BAD WITH 110000 MILES . *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 2, 2014185,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS REPLACING THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE PADS WHEN HE REMOVED THE CALIPER PIN AND NOTICED IT WAS STRIPPED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE PIN THREE DIFFERENT TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 30, 201331,250 milesIN

KEPT TRUCK INSIDE SINCE PURCHASE IN 2/25/99 UNTIL THE FALL OF 2009. PARKED TRUCK OUTSIDE UNTIL PRESENT TIME. TRUCK ONLY HAS 32,217 MILES ON IT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT ALL THE CLEARCOAT IS COMING OFF OR PEELING ALL OVER THE TRUCK. HAVE USED MOTHER'S BRAND SOAP FOR CLEAR COAT FINISHES. HAVE 93 T-BIRD AND 32 FORD WHICH BOTH HAVE CLEARCOAT AND HAVE NO PROBLEM. HAVE SEEM 3 OTHER RED DODGES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK DODGE SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, SINCE THE BASECOAT AND CLEARCOAT WAS NOT APPLIED RIGHT. SINCE THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 32000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE REPLY. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 20, 2012160,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V153000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY, BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 6, 2012122,000 milesIN

IM NOT ALWAYS IN A GOOD PLACE TO STOP WHEN IT DIES ON ME,I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A CAR A FEW TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS, IT DIES AND WONT RESTART FOR AWHILE, I THINK ITS IN THE COMPUTER. *TR

20 of 641 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201144600Do not drive
201035700Do not drive
200918500Do not drive
200891210Do not drive
2007144420Do not drive
2006285671Do not drive
20054707270Do not drive
2004206561Fatalities reported
20032961150Above average
200267812182Fatalities reported
200167814112Fatalities reported
200080612142Fatalities reported
1999 — this page6411060Above average
19985451216Fatalities reported
19974461261Fatalities reported
1996189261Fatalities reported
1995208161Fatalities reported
1994166442Fatalities reported
1993134260Routine
1992216280Above average
1991128550Routine
199063300Routine

Compare every Dakota year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.