2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,376 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.

2001 Dodge Dakota engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

problem #12

Jul 172011

Dakota

  • 215,000 miles

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

Engine was overheating when air conditioner was turned on. This was due to the fan clutch needing to be replaced. Also, oil pressure gauge is broken in instrument cluster and so is not reporting oil pressure accurately. The entire instrument gauge cluster needs to be replaced to repair this.

- Prince Albert, 00, USA

problem #11

Jul 102010

Dakota

  • 178,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the central timing module of the vehicle was defective. The contact stated that because of this defective part the ignition lights flash when he removed the key, the horn blows, and the windshield wipers go off. The dealer stated that they could get the part but they do not know when it will arrive. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

- Pine City , MN, USA

problem #10

Jul 122008

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,289 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. After driving the vehicle from the sales lot, the contact noticed that the check engine light was illuminated. She took the vehicle back to the dealer; however, they filed bankruptcy and were closed down. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign id number 07V555000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift) and took the vehicle to another dealer. The dealer stated that they would repair one issue under the recall, but another issue had to be repaired for $700 at the contact's expense. The manufacturer stated that because she was the second owner, she would have to pay out of pocket. The current and failure mileages were 85,289. Updated 09/10/08. The consumer stated even after the recall was performed, he is still having problems with the gear shift. Updated 09/11/08

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #9

Oct 072006

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the engine began shutting off and the check engine light illuminated. The dealer replaced the fuel pump. The door hinges began coming apart on the driver side door, and the middle of the door also began to rip. The dealer would not assist with the repairs until after the warranty expired. The contact welded the door in place; however, it has begun to come apart again and will not remain locked. The window on the driver side door has also come off track. The contact had to add glue to secure the window in place. In April of 2008, the contact received a recall notice related to the emission park shift interlock. The recall repair has not been performed. The contact has photos. The recall number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000 and current mileage was 71,997. Updated 05/28/08 the hydraulic pump was loosing pressure and the radiator overflow hose was replaced. Updated 05/27/08

- Princeton , WV, USA

problem #8

Nov 032007

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
Engine stalling and / or failure sometimes when driving sometimes at startup. I have had this 2001 Dodge Dakota for about three years this problem will occur at anytime. Each time I would take it to a mechanic the truck would be running good and they could find nothing wrong. They have scanned the engine and found no faults. I have read of many customers with this same problems and I just can't understand why there has not been a recall by the Chrysler Corp. On this safety issue.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #7

Apr 122007

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,035 miles
Heater core has gone out for the second time causing hot coolant to be leaked on my feet in the cab and fogging the windows severely while driving. Research shows this is a common problem with my model year Dakota. Research also shows that once you have the problem then it will happen again frequently with no final fix. I feel this is dangerous and the manufacturer should have a permanent fix. My first failure was at 58K miles and now my second is at 69K.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #6

Feb 082007

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

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

I bought a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4WD a month ago. I have had to replace the lower ball joints, catalytic converter, timing chain, water pump and now the transfer case has gone bad. The truck only has 55000 miles on it. I have only made one payment on the truck and have paid the repair shop over $1500 in repair costs. They only time that I have got to drive the truck is to the repair shop except when I bought it. This is ridiculous, a truck with low miles like this should not have this many problems. The dealer said that they would look at it this time put they couldn't make any promises. We paid for everything else to get fixed and I refuse to pay for anything else. I paid $10,000 for a truck that I can't even drive, I'm actually scared to drive it because who knows what will happen next. Apparently Dodge are pieces of crap to put it politely.

- Leitchfield, KY, USA

problem #5

Mar 032007

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,500 miles
Bought the truck used and the temperature and oil pressure gauge started to fluctuate and engine killed over. Now, repair shops are stating that they are now seeing this problem quite frequently for the 4.7L Dodge Dakota engines because of the oil pan proximity to the engine. Repair shops stated a new/rebuilt engine is needed: ~$3,500-$5,000 just for the engine and ~$1,000 for labor!

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #4

May 012005

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,982 miles
Consumer states: That ABS light, engine light, and brake lights came on at the same time. The clutch packed in the rear differential is half inch long, and its job is to hold the clutches and lemon slipped differential, and it failed. It came out and shredded speed sensor in rear differential.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #3

May 152003

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Blower motor first inoperable at 7566 miles. Currently in for service for the 12th time for this problem. I live in Minnesota - when motor goes out I cannot defog or defrost windows. Additional problems possibly related include: Headlight accessory panel going out, HVAC control lights going out, door alarm malfunctioning, and cigarette lighter inoperable. Current mileage is 44, xxx miles. Blower motor problem is at times intermittent with longest time between complete failures being ten months. Dealer has tried replacing blower motor, relay, fuses, wiring harness, duct work, etc.

- Columbia Heights, MN, USA

problem #2

Oct 152003

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,450 miles
I puchased this truck used with 12,500 miles.it has a rear window leak, I have yet to solve this problem.it also has some paint flaws.I had a problem with the gas cap which caused a engine code light.when I went to local dealer to solve code problem, I was told that I had no warrantee.Dodge advertises otherwise.

- Noble, IL, USA

problem #1

Nov 212001

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,254 miles
Front brakes clunk when applied, dealer replaced rotors. Transmission won't shift properly, dealer ordered and replaced new valve body. Lower engine needed to be replaced, because of valve tapping. A/C has bad odor when on. Front end squeaked around boots front end has bad knocking sound. 2 Goodyear tires slow leak. Problems started at 1,254 miles, and keep going at 26,000 miles.

- Severn, MD, USA

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