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2000 Dodge Dakota problems

The most common problem on the 2000 Dodge Dakota is suspension, typically around 50,000 miles. It has 3.9 times the complaints of a typical Dakota model year.

Typical year3.9x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
806
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
106
Worst area
Suspension
Fuel economy
12-20mpg
Typical repair
$809

The worst 2000 Dodge Dakota problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2000 Dodge Dakota

Ball joint 257Premature wear 55Harsh shifting 23No deployment 18Pulling 18Grinding brakes 17Stalling 15ABS 14Brake failure 14Jerking 13Door locks 12Steering noise 12Fire or smoke 11Overheating 11Knocking 9Adaptive cruise 8Shudder 8Tire blowout 8Transmission failure 8Check engine light 7Power steering loss 6Engine failure 5Headlights 5

Recalls 5

Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball jointReported December 21, 2004 · 592,707 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 04V596000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported May 8, 2001 · 216,100 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 01V153000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported July 17, 2000 · 40,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 00V193000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported July 17, 2000 · 20,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 00V197000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported July 17, 2000 · 437,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 00V198000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2000 Dodge Dakota

Defect investigations

Upper ball joint separationOpened November 19, 2003, closed February 11, 2005

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 (the federal safety agency 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 not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists in those vehicles.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA03023

Front safety belt anchorageOpened March 8, 2001, closed August 17, 2001

Allege that the front safety belt anchor bolts disengage from their mounting points or are found to be loose.

EA01010

Stop lamp switchOpened September 7, 2000, closed March 9, 2001

Alleged that electrical failure of the brake stop lamp switch man result in stop lamps not illumination during service brake application, and the vehicle's cruise control system may fail to disengage

PE00035

Front safety belt anchorage disengagemenOpened July 21, 2000, closed March 8, 2001

Alleged that the driver's seat safety belt anchors disengage from mounting points

PE00030

Technical service bulletins for the 2000 Dodge Dakota 106

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 106 bulletins for the 2000 Dodge Dakota

2000 Dodge Dakota fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cylRWD182320
3.9L 6‑cylRWD1520-2116-17
4.7L 8‑cylRWD131815
3.9L 6‑cyl4WD13-141714-15
4.7L 8‑cyl4WD131714
5.9L 8‑cylRWD111613
5.9L 8‑cyl4WD111512

What 2000 Dodge Dakota owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Brakes · 163,159 miles · CA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed May 17, 2024 · Engine · VA

Unknown

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · MI

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.

Filed Mar 23, 2021 · Suspension · 235,177 miles · FL

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, (352)332-6003) 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.

Filed Jun 3, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 250,000 miles · MI

My transmission is not shifting right and it is very sluggish in freeway and while we idling.

Filed Sep 13, 2019 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 130,000 miles · IN

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

Filed Jul 15, 2018 · Brakes, Steering · 200,000 miles · CA

"takata recall" the power steering continues to leak even after several repairs have been made.

Filed Sep 23, 2017 · Airbags · 27,600 miles · SC · crash · 2 injuries

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

Filed Jul 24, 2017 · Body · 150,000 miles · CT

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.

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Questions about the 2000 Dodge Dakota

Is the 2000 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Owners have filed 806 complaints about the 2000 Dodge Dakota, 3.9 times a typical Dakota model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 Dodge Dakota?

Suspension, with 282 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles. Next is brakes (263).

How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Dakota have?

5 recalls, covering suspension, air bags and service brakes, hydraulic.

Was there a recall on the 2000 Dodge Dakota suspension?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V596000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Dodge Dakota have bad suspension?

The Dodge Dakota model years with the most suspension complaints are 1999 (342 complaints), 2000 (282 complaints) and 2001 (236 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2000 Dodge Dakota get?

Official estimates for the 2000 Dodge Dakota range from 12 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 23 highway.

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