10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,984 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Dodge Dakota engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

problem #16

Jan 012010

Dakota

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph the vehicle stalled. The contact waited for approximately fifteen minutes before the vehicle would restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of failure after performing a diagnostic test. The stalling of the vehicle occurred at least six times even though routine maintenance was performed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- East Middlebury, VT, USA

problem #15

Oct 112009

Dakota

  • 138,000 miles
I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota V-8 magnum 5.2L, it only has 138,000 miles on it. When I bought it it only had 76,600 miles. In that little time I have had to replace the upper and lower ball joints twice, and the rack and pinion, and the water pump, the thermostat, the power steering pump, the tie rods, and there is so much more wrong. Why am having to replace these things twice in such little mileage" after reading up on it through the internet I am not the only one with these problems, there are hundreds of people with the same complaints, why is there a recall on the 2000, & 1998 but not 1999" I am out so much money and have almost wrecked my truck twice because of these problems, once with 6 kids in the car with me and again with my 3 kids. This needs immediate attention before several people get hurt or worse, die!!!

- Henryetta, OK, USA

problem #14

Dec 102005

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,729 miles
At 79,729 miles and all the regularly scheduled oil changes at the dealership (last one at 70,000) throughout the life of the vehicle, the "check gauges" light suddenly came on. I immediately stopped and checked fluid levels (oil, transmission, and radiator) which were fine. Oil pressure would drop to 0 and jump back to 40 when engine was restarted. Thinking (incorrectly) that it might only be an oil pressure sensor failure, I tried to drive home to get it serviced the next day, but it began knocking and smoking after a few miles and had to be towed. It is being evaluated now, but it will probably involve a complete engine replacement to repair. I noticed several similar complaints and think that Dodge should own up to this defect.

- Earleton, FL, USA

problem #13

May 042004

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,850 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil pressure light goes to 0 and back to 40 then stays at 0. numerous other people having same problems with oil pump and oil sending unit, screens and etc. Obviously a defect from the manufacturer. Should be recalled and fixed for free.

- Trussville, AL, USA

problem #12

Apr 012004

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,900 miles
Faulty intake manifold gasket in my 99 Dodge Dakota with 38,900 miles on it. Chrysler daimler covered only parts. It cost me 370 dollars to get it repaired. I contested when they said they would only cover parts. Chrysler stated that it was out of warranty and that this is all they would do. I found numerous complaints on the internet of other people with the same problem with a leaking intake manifold gasket at very low miles on this Chrysler product. I believe that this is unacceptable. Chrysler won't talk to me anymore. They stated that the only way I could still fight it was to pay the full price for the repair and then contest it. I needed my truck back. The dealer told me that it was unsafe to drive it far do to the oil consumption. I was stuck. I paid it cause I needed a vehicle. Age shouldn't matter in a case like this. 38,900 is way to low of miles for a major repair like this. I am worried that it will happen again and that Chrysler will just say "tough". I have read complaints on the web where people have had it replaced 3 times within 100,000 miles.

- Waukesha , WI, USA

problem #11

Apr 182003

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,739 miles
Excessive engine knock.pper ball joint failure.nadequate headlight projection on low beam.

- Goose Creek, SC, USA

problem #10

Aug 292003

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,305 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil pressure gauge drops to zero, when coming to a stop, after running at highway speed. This problem has been addressed by the dealer(4) times : replaced oil sending unit 4-9-01/24,305 mi. ; replaced oil pump 8-24-01/28,730 mi. ; checked oil pressure gauge 2-7-03/ 45,478 mi. ; replaced oil pump and connecting rod bearings 8-29-03/ 50,903 mi. This problem continues to occur.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #9

Feb 202003

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,225 miles
While highway driving, the "check engine" light came on and my acceleration dropped 20 mph while still pressing on the pedal. Hesitation also while climbing hills.

- Holden, MA, USA

problem #8

Jun 012002

Dakota

  • miles
While traveling about 50mph on highway vehicle shutdown. Also, without prior warning steering wheel will lock up. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Charlotte, TN, USA

problem #7

Oct 312001

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling about 25mph on a residential street. She was bending down to pick up something from the floor while vehicle was still traveling and hit a brick fence. Upon impact, front airbags didn't go off. When the consumer was traveling about 25-30 mph on residential street. The truck in front of consumer lost object from back of his truck. Consumer swerved to miss and hit a parked car. Upon impact airbags didn't go off. Consumer stated that A/C was inoperative, transmission was not shifting correctly, engine leaks oil from oil pan area, thermostat leaks, the intake manifold gasket was leaking.

- Bakerfield, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 012001

Dakota 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine block had to be replaced due to defective cylinder heads. Manufacturer declines any responsibility because no extended warrenty was purchased.

- Zillah, WA, USA

problem #5

Jun 162001

Dakota 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle was taken to a Chrysler dealership to diagnose the problem. The mechanic there said he had seen this problem a few times with this same model. That it was a defect in the oil pump. Repair would cost around $4,000. Vehicle was well cared for and we have complete journal of oil changes and all other care and repairs.

- Riverdale, MI, USA

problem #4

Aug 011999

Dakota

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehcile wanders left to right on dry road. Front end vibrates intermitently. Consumer has been waiting for the district representative to call but no contact. Engine valve failed five times. Steering failed three times. Rear oil seal is leaking.

- Sevierville, TN, USA

problem #3

Jul 172000

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
Intermittently vehicle will stall out and die without warning. Dealer has not been able to duplicate the problem.

- Santa Rosa, TX, USA

problem #2

Nov 061998

Dakota

  • miles
While traveling at various speeds vehicle would shut down for no reason. Would have no warning. Had been to dealer numerous times for problem, but mechanic was unable to find the problem or duplicate it.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #1

Oct 161998

Dakota

  • miles
Headlights are unstable, causing poor visibility, consumer also having problem with engine valves knocking. Consumer has contacted the dealer.

- Blairsvill, PA, USA

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