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.
Dodge Dakota hesitation problems
24 of the 6,482 owner complaints about the Dodge Dakota describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 24
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical mileage
- 20,000
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20071
- 20061
- 20041
- 20033
- 20024
- 20012
- 20004
- 19993
- 19983
- 19971
- 19961
Often reported together
Stalling 5Check engine light 3Won't shift 2Loss of power 2Jerking 2Headlights 2Harsh shifting 2Ball joint 2
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge dakota quad cab. The contact stated that the vehicle stalls without warning. The vehicle has no power steering or brakes when the failure occurred. The contact also stated that the vehicle does not sputter or hesitate prior to stalling and when the security warning light is flashing, he is not able to start the vehicle. The contact has to play with the remote to get the light to turn off, and stated that all of the gauges on the instrument panel stopped working when the failure occurred. The vehicle had not been inspected. The VIN was not available and the failure mileage was 78,000. The current mileage was 78,900.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota quadcab slt. The contact stated that the information system built into the overhead console would display improper miles to gallon readings and the electrical compass would also indicate incorrect directional readings. The front passenger side window would not function intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was repaired. The failure continued. The contact also noticed that there was water leaking into the rear tail lights, causing the lights to burn out. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. On another occasion, the vehicle was parked when the horn began to sound. The contact had to turn the headlight switch off to stop the horn. The dealer could not diagnose the failure. The failure continued. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked when he shifted gears. The transfer case was replaced at the local dealer. Upon receiving the vehicle from the dealer, the vehicle vibrated and intermittently hesitated when gears were shifted. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000 and the current mileage was approximately 55,000.
I purchased a 2007 used dodge dakota still under factory basic warranty. The test drive was fine and we did not hear any noise coming from the transmission while the windows were up. We took the vehicle home and I had turned off the radio and rolled down the window to put the truck in reverse and all of a sudden I experienced a loud bang, and grind noise. I thought nothing of it and the next day I heard the same but then also the automatic transmission would not go into gear right away and started hesitating while going form park to reverse and vise versa (reverse to park). I took the truck to the dodge dealer and they said it was common form the transmission to do that and did not bother to run a diagnostic on the truck. They just put the car through its gears and heard the noises and experienced the hesitation in the transmission and said it was normal. The truck has 16,500 miles on it and is a 2007 model. I wanted to register this complaint because I feel the problem is going to get worse and could put someone's life in danger if the transmission delay and hesitation become more pronounced and the dodge dealer continues to says that the automatic transmission delay and hesitation is normal.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge dakota. While driving approximately 35 MPH with his foot on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to slow down and hesitate. The contact stopped the vehicle to allow the front disc brakes to cool off since they were dragging. The brake lines and calipers were replaced at 50,000 miles. The current mileage is 64000 and the failure mileage was 30000. The contact will add the VIN, engine size and purchase date.
Abs & brake light and check engine light came on on our 2001 dodge dakota quad cab with 43,000 miles. Took to norwin dodge for service. They found that the differential (rear end) was completely ruined. Since vehicle was out of warrently our out of pocket expense was in excess of $1,600.00. Also said that engine light was due to a moderate evaporation leak and replaced gas cap. The transmission of this vehicle also had to be replaced after only 4000 miles!(fortunately this was covered under warrenty), but a complete transmission replaced after only 4000 miles? Also had vehicle back to be checked after transmission replacement because it would hesitate and then shift hard. We were told that that is normal and how dodge trnamissions shift? We take very good care of this vehicle and had it serviced regularly. Want to register formal complaint and make others aware of poor quality of dodge vehicles and potentially defective products used?
Thought I would "buy american" and get the dodge dakota 4 dr crew. Love its style, comforts, more power than I need (4.7l v8) 2wd has no traction in snow or ice. Very easy to drive and comfortable 6ft.2 220lbs.(2 trips nj to calif.) gas mileage stinks...13-18mpg, no loads. Brake rotors replaced 28k, left top ball joint worn (no recall yet)A/C needed charging, right front hub and bearings replaced 49k, rear leaf spring noisy, transmission hesitation occasionally. Great truck to drive and haul but reliability really in question with only 49k. Probably back to nissan or toyota.
Dodge dakota 1999 numerous problems with vehicle ball joint and steering mechanisms. *bf there were also problems with the rear end, transmission, engine malfunction lights, poor engine performance which consisted of hesitation and loss of power especially when under a load-going up and hill and seemed to get worse as the gas level in the tank lowered, hard abrupt shifting when in reverse and park to reverse, loud rubbing which was intermittent when making left turns and when stopping, the front would shake, the four wheel drive light was not visible on the dash when activated and would only show when the all wheel drive was activated, and there was a wobble, flexing and or vibration that would be present when braking along with a loose feeling or wobble when turning the front wheels. *sc
Transmission hesitates to shift gears.
There is a hesitation (dead spot) while depressing the accelorator pedal,when trying to start rolling from a stop. The rpms actually fall before they rise. This ,while letting out the clutch is unsafe ,causing the vehicle to stall when the power is needed the most. Have taken the vehicle 9 times and each time they say ; 1)it will get better with time 2)this is an inherant problem with the 6 cylinder & manual 3)cant duplicate (it happens every time I try to move) you actually have to play with the gas pedal in order to get past the hesitation area
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
- Risk
- If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
- Remedy
- On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with the federal safety agency, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Recall number 13V038000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.
- Risk
- If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753.
Recall number 12V474000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 07V555000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 MPH and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
- Risk
- If the drive wheels locked up, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on october 2, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 06V341000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position.
- Risk
- If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 05V460000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 01V077000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- 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
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with a500 automatic transmission. Inadvertent placement of the shift lever in reverse can occur when the driver believes that the transmission has been placed in park.
- Risk
- This can cause the vehicle to roll away with the engine on after the driver has left the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the steel manual valve in the transmission with an aluminum version.
Recall number 00V106000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Dakota hesitation
Which Dodge Dakota years have hesitation when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (4 complaints), 2002 (4 complaints) and 1998 (3 complaints).
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