Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. While operating the vehicle, the service 4 wheel drive indicator intermittently illuminated. During the failure, the vehicle could not be driven in 4 wheel drive. Also, after removing the ignition key, the 4 wheel drive actuator would remain active. Eventually, the transmission failed and was reset. After resetting the transmission, the vehicle operated normally. While driving 60 MPH, the transmission erroneously switched into 4 wheel drive and caused the speed to reduce to 10 MPH. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Dodge Dakota transmission failure problems
66 of the 6,482 owner complaints about the Dodge Dakota describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 66
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,900
- typical mileage
- 51,000
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Ball joint 4Won't shift 3Stalling 3Slipping 3Check engine light 3Engine failure 2Grinding brakes 2Adaptive cruise 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P1775 1P0218 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash and was repaired; however, the repairs were not completed correctly. After driving the vehicle home the following day the vehicle was unable to shift into drive. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission damage. The transmission was replaced. Also, while driving various speeds, the vehicle would veer to the left or right inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with several different issues, such as a damaged front cross member, a fractured front passenger side stabilizer link, a worn passenger side upper control bushing, and other issues. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Updated 03/02/17*lj***updated 05/09/17*lj
Transmission went out. Saw recall notice on internet. Cannot go in reverse.
Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The catalytic converter rattled. There was a rough idle and then the vehicle would stall. The cruise control was inoperative, the tires wore out prematurely. Also, I had difficulty getting the vehicle out of park. The idler arm is in the process of breaking, the ignition broke after the keys became stuck, the fuel pump failed and the bearing and bushing needs to be replaced.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the transmission failed. The vehicle made a loud booming sound when the failure occurred. One week prior to the failure, the transmission had been serviced. The rear differential was also replaced for the third time the week before the transmission failed. The vehicle was at the dealer at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 75,000.
5/06/09, I went to a dodge dealership because "check engine" light kept coming on & off. This was an ongoing incident that took place on other occasions throughout my ownership of vehicle, but whenever taken to original dealership, the light was no longer on, & the dealership would state they could not find anything & suggested I bring the vehicle back whenever it came back on. On this latest incident, light remained on & dealership stated that they would "need to remove transmission and break down to find internal failure or replace transmission." the codes that showed up were "p1775, solenoid switch valve latched in ttc position" and "p0218, trans-high temp activated." they were siding on replacing transmission stating that I had 72,570 miles on vehicle. I inquired if under warranty, & they stated that I had exceeded the mileage & my vehicle had just passed the 3 year mark the day prior. I then filed a claim w/dodge headquarters on 5/7/2009 to inquire about any recalls or assistance w/a new transmission. I had inquired about recalls because I have always kept up w/my routine maintenance, the vehicle was bought new & had just made 3 years & the miles were mostly highway miles. After several followup calls on 5/8/2009, 5/14/2009 & 5/19/2009, dodge corporate office informed me that they spoke to the dealership, & though rebuilding or replacing the transmission was ideal, they would not assist me w/doing such because my warranty had expired. Additionally, original dealership I had purchased my vehicle from had went out of business, & dodge customer service stated they could not find any record of me bringing vehicle in for same problem. The only thing they offered was reimbursing the $213.98 I paid to have the truck diagnosed, but after submitting my receipt to them. Dealership could not reverse the transaction to reimburse. Since then, I've had other places look at vehicle who tell me they've seen similar problems w/other dodge trans of that year. Trans now slipping.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The estimated cost for repair was $3,000. Report number 18727338 was filed by the manufacturer. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact feels that the manufacturer should be responsible for the repair. The failure and current mileages were 71,254.
Engine light and transmission temp light came on after driving up and down a large incline. Stopped vehicle to allow temp to cool. Both lights reappear after 30-40 minutes driving and goes off after stopping and cooling for several minutes. Took vehicle to dodge service and they recommended transmission fluid and filter change. Next day both lights reappeared after 30+min of driving. Next dodge service recommended changing solenoid which was under warranty, except for $100.00 deductible. Next day both lights appeared after 30+ min of driving. Next dodge service recommended full transmission replacement which corrected problem. Mileage was 69834 and so transmission service was under warranty and payment for replacing transmission lines; they said old ones were leaking although no signs were observed previously. Parts replaced: solenoid, transmission lines, converter, pump kits, seal pkg, o-rings, discs, plates, retnr pkg.
1999 dodge dakota sport transmission failure at 150,000mi and air cond. Gone
Premature ball joint failure resulting in extensive repair costs, premature transmission failure resulting in replacement of transmission, excessive oil sludge build up causing loss of oil pressure, possible damage to engine.
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 transmission failure
Which Dodge Dakota years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (8 complaints), 1992 (7 complaints) and 1994 (6 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Dodge Dakota?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,900 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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