2000 Dodge Dakota Problems and Recalls (787 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2000 Dodge Dakota is Suspension (31% of 787 owner reports). There are 12 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Suspension — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 787 complaints · 12 recalls

What problems show up on the 2000 Dodge Dakota?

247 of 787 filings named Suspension (31% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Brakes (238 reports).

There are 12 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Brakes, Transmission / driveline, Suspension, Fuel system, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1999 has 616 reports on file; this year has 787. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2000 Dodge Dakota

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 12 campaigns on file below.
  2. Suspension. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues.
  3. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  4. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Suspension. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Suspension 247 complaints · 31.4% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 59
  • Fires 14
  • Injuries 44
  • Deaths 2
Compare with 1999 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Suspension (SUSPENSION) appears in 247 of 787 owner complaints (31.4%) in this vehicle snapshot. Suspension (SUSPENSION): 247 complaints, 31.4% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 11 crash reports 1 fire reports 247 · 31.4% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 238 complaints, 30.2% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 12 crash reports 3 fire reports 238 · 30.2% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 63 complaints, 8.0% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 crash reports 1 fire reports 63 · 8.0% Steering (STEERING): 49 complaints, 6.2% of reports Steering (STEERING) 3 crash reports 49 · 6.2% Engine (ENGINE): 44 complaints, 5.6% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 2 fire reports 44 · 5.6% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 23 complaints, 2.9% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 19 crash reports 23 · 2.9% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 18 complaints, 2.3% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 2 crash reports 18 · 2.3% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 15 complaints, 1.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 7 fire reports 15 · 1.9% Wheels (WHEELS): 14 complaints, 1.8% of reports Wheels (WHEELS) 14 · 1.8% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 686 complaints, 87.2% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 51 crash reports 11 fire reports 686 · 87.2% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 247 31.4% 11 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 238 30.2% 12 crashes · 3 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 63 8.0% 4 crashes · 1 fires
Steering (STEERING) 49 6.2% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 44 5.6% 1 crashes · 2 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 23 2.9% 19 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 18 2.3% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 15 1.9% 0 crashes · 7 fires
Wheels (WHEELS) 14 1.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 686 87.2% 51 crashes · 11 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 1999; the first recall shown was reported in Jul 2000. 1999-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 1999-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2000-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2000-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2000-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 2001-Q1: 42 owner reports 42 2001-Q2: 28 owner reports 28 2001-Q3: 46 owner reports 46 2001-Q4: 28 owner reports 28 2002-Q1: 24 owner reports 24 2002-Q2: 24 owner reports 24 2002-Q3: 21 owner reports 21 2002-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2003-Q1: 28 owner reports 28 2003-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 2003-Q3: 31 owner reports 31 2003-Q4: 61 owner reports 61 2004-Q1: 85 owner reports 85 2004-Q2: 41 owner reports 41 2004-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2004-Q4: 58 owner reports 58 2005-Q1: 42 owner reports 42 2005-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2005-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2005-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2006-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2006-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2007-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2007-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2008-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2008-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2009-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jul 1999 Jan 2026 Recall campaign 00V193000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V193000 Recall campaign 00V197000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V197000 Recall campaign 00V198000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V198000 Recall campaign 01V153000 ◆ Recall campaign 01V153000 Recall campaign 04V596000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V596000 Recall campaign 06E011000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E011000 Recall campaign 06E024000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E024000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 06E065000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E065000 Recall campaign 08E064000 ◆ Recall campaign 08E064000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000 Investigation PE00030 ● Investigation PE00030 Investigation PE00035 ● Investigation PE00035 Investigation EA01010 ● Investigation EA01010 Investigation EA03023 ● Investigation EA03023
  • Campaign 00V193000 was reported 230 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00V197000 was reported 292 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00V198000 was reported 230 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 04V596000 was reported 1,742 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 06E011000 was reported 2,166 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 08E064000 was reported 3,141 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 2,000 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1999-Q3 Owner reports 1
1999-Q4 Owner reports 1
2000-Q1 Owner reports 13
2000-Q2 Owner reports 15
2000-Q3 Owner reports 16
2000-Q4 Owner reports 18
2001-Q1 Owner reports 42
2001-Q2 Owner reports 28
2001-Q3 Owner reports 46
2001-Q4 Owner reports 28
2002-Q1 Owner reports 24
2002-Q2 Owner reports 24
2002-Q3 Owner reports 21
2002-Q4 Owner reports 14
2003-Q1 Owner reports 28
2003-Q2 Owner reports 23
2003-Q3 Owner reports 31
2003-Q4 Owner reports 61
2004-Q1 Owner reports 85
2004-Q2 Owner reports 41
2004-Q3 Owner reports 24
2004-Q4 Owner reports 58
2005-Q1 Owner reports 42
2005-Q2 Owner reports 11
2005-Q3 Owner reports 8
2005-Q4 Owner reports 8
2006-Q1 Owner reports 5
2006-Q2 Owner reports 3
2006-Q3 Owner reports 2
2006-Q4 Owner reports 6
2007-Q1 Owner reports 6
2007-Q2 Owner reports 2
2007-Q3 Owner reports 2
2008-Q1 Owner reports 4
2008-Q2 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 5
2008-Q4 Owner reports 4
2009-Q2 Owner reports 1
2009-Q3 Owner reports 1
2009-Q4 Owner reports 2
2010-Q3 Owner reports 3
2010-Q4 Owner reports 2
2011-Q1 Owner reports 1
2011-Q2 Owner reports 1
2011-Q3 Owner reports 1
2012-Q3 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 1
2013-Q4 Owner reports 1
2014-Q1 Owner reports 1
2014-Q2 Owner reports 1
2014-Q3 Owner reports 2
2014-Q4 Owner reports 1
2015-Q1 Owner reports 1
2015-Q3 Owner reports 2
2015-Q4 Owner reports 1
2016-Q2 Owner reports 1
2016-Q3 Owner reports 1
2017-Q3 Owner reports 2
2018-Q3 Owner reports 2
2019-Q3 Owner reports 1
2020-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q1 Owner reports 1
2024-Q2 Owner reports 1
2026-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 00V193000
Recall campaign 1 00V197000
Recall campaign 1 00V198000
Recall campaign 1 01V153000
Recall campaign 1 04V596000
Recall campaign 1 06E011000
Recall campaign 1 06E024000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 06E065000
Recall campaign 1 08E064000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
Defect investigation 1 PE00030
Defect investigation 1 PE00035
Defect investigation 1 EA01010
Defect investigation 1 EA03023
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (12)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Brakes, Transmission / driveline, Suspension, Fuel system, and Lights.

  1. Recall campaign 00V193000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 00V197000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD RESULT.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE VENT HOSE AND ASSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 00V198000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 01V153000

    Safety recall 01V153000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 04V596000

    Suspension

    Report date
    Component:
    Suspension (SUSPENSION)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 06E011000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
    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 1-800-880-3056.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 06E024000

    Safety recall 06E024000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Recall campaign 06E026000

    Safety recall 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Recall campaign 06E065000

    Safety recall 06E065000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Recall campaign 08E064000

    Suspension

    Report date
    Component:
    Suspension (SUSPENSION)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Recall campaign 09E012000

    Safety recall 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Recall campaign 09E025000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 787 complaints · page 1 of 32
2026-03-13Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11724216
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 1998 N/A Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while at the DMV to renew the tags, the contact was unable to register the vehicle because the vehicle was under recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V193000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 163,159.
2024-05-17Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11589378
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Unknown
2023-03-15Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11512009
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Air bag light and Engine light comes on and off. Headlights, break lights, and blinkers keep going on and off while light switch is on. Rust on body due to clear coat peeling. Steering is sometimes hard to do even with full steering fluid. Shifts hard. Brake fluid has leaked. Coolant has leaked, along with heater core that dealership had me pay a lot of money for replacement in 2022. Vehicle hesitates to accelerate to higher speeds. Windshield wipers do not fully touch windshield towards top. Air compressor makes rattle on/off sounds.
2021-03-23Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11404428
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 DODGE DAKOTA EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRES, TIRE LINE: FUTURA, TIRE SIZE: 275/75/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE VERY LOUD WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK THE TIRES TO PEPBOYS (7725 W NEWBERRY RD, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606, ([redacted]) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,100.
2020-06-03Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11327049
CrashFireInjuryDeath
MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT AND IT IS VERY SLUGGISH IN FREEWAY AND WHILE WE IDLING. *TR
2019-09-13FUEL SYSTEM
NHTSA ODI 11255267
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND CAME TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS STRAPPED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
2018-09-16Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11129717
CrashFireInjuryDeath
BAD RUST ISSUE TO AREAS INCLUDING FRONT AND REAR BUMBER, THE ENTIRE BED INCLUDING MOUNTING POINTS, FENDERS, CAB CORNERS AND FRAME. LOST FENDER FLARE TWICE DUE TO RUST AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE ENTIRE BED SLID BACK AND ALMOST FELL OFF AND FENDERS AND BUMBERS ARE BASICALLY RUST AND NEED REPLACED, WHEEL WELLS ON BED ARE FALLING APART CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE IF I HAUL ANYTHING
2018-07-15Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11111463
CrashFireInjuryDeath
"TAKATA RECALL" THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO LEAK EVEN AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
2017-09-23Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11025194
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF MY TRUCK SINCE 2007 . I HAVE HAD 3 CAR WRECKERS AND MY6 AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLODED. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ? ..UPDATED 09/28/17 *BF UPDATED 7/19/18*JB *TR
2017-07-24STRUCTUREUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11010236
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED OR TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Frequently asked questions

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

Owners named Suspension most often — 247 of 787 reports (31%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2000 Dodge Dakota?

NHTSA lists 12 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Brakes, Transmission / driveline, Suspension, Fuel system, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources