2003 Dodge Dakota: engine knocking or ticking

5 of the 296 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Dakota describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 5 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2011
1
2006
1
2005
6
2004
5
2003
5
2002
12
2001
13
2000
9
1999
18
1998
10
1997
4
1996
1
1995
3
1993
1

What owners say

Filed Jul 6, 2014 · Suspension · 104,000 miles · IA

While driving there is a loud humming noise in front end and knocking from front and a squeeky noise from underneath.

Filed Mar 27, 2012 · Engine · 131,505 miles · GA

I have owned a 2003 dodge dakota v6 for the past 3 years and never had a problem until I took it to the dealership in union city ga yesterday for a routine oil change. After waiting 2 hours, they told me they were having a problem getting oil in the engine because there was sludge in the engine which was causing the oil to go in slowly. They recommended adding an oil additive. An hour later they returned my car to me. I started driving out of the lot my car was running rough. Two blocks later the oil light came on, engine started a little ticking and ran rougher. I turned around, driving about 5 MPH, barely made it back to the dealership. They said there was 6 qt of oil in the engine. They would have to start over. Half hour later, they came out and said now they had no oil pressure at all and they would had to remove the oil pan and maybe have to replace the oil plump and other parts. I may need a new engine or have it rebuilt. They would call me today and let me know. Mind you, I have never had a problem until they did the oil change this time. Now that I check the computer, I find hundreds of people have a problem with sludge and loss of oil pressure in the dodge dakota for no reason. This is very dangerous. All of a sudden there is no oil pressure while you are driving.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 11 miles · NY

I have a light knocking in my engine. The first time I took it to the dealer, they stated there was something wrong with the engine, but unable to indentify the problem. I took it back again. They had it for 3 days, and said there was nothing wrong with it. They say all dodge engines make that noise. Unknown to them, I have 2 and my other does not make the same noise. It has occasionally stalled both backing up and going forward. There is a pulling to the right even after having it aligned and balanced. It does not shift properly and won't stay in cruise control while climbing a hill. Also my oil hose was loose causing a rattling under the hood. The light showing you the gear your in did not work properly. Over all the worse vehicle I have ever owned with a hefty tag.

Filed Dec 19, 2003 · Suspension · 2,869 miles · FL

I recently saw a cbs news story concerning the upper ball joints of dodge dakotas wearing out prematurely. My dakota is a 2002. I have taken in into my local dodge dealorship repeatedly because I heard a knocking sound when making a turn, especially on an incline. Every time I have taken it in, they are never able to duplicate the problem. I have even taken the mechanic for a ride with me after they had it all morning and the noise, sure enough, can't be duplicated while he is in the truck. But sure enough, 3 or 4 days later the noise comes back. And the porcess repeats again. I take it, they can't find it, I take the mechanic and the noise is gone, 3 or 4 days letter - hello - its back! Can you help me? Fyi: for the incident date, I just put today's date. I took the truck in with the same complaint on 5/24/2002; 12/6/2002; & 9/3/2003 .

Filed Sep 19, 2002 · Transmission · CT

Location of gear shift lever is positioned, where if reaching over to ajust radio or air conditioning unit and putting hands back on steering wheel, can knock shift lever out of gear into neutral/ park while driving. This can result in an accident.