10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,679 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Dodge Dakota:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1999 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Feb 062009

Dakota

  • miles

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

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.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #20

Jul 162004

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
Failed transmission, failed upper and lower ball joints failed rear differential and clear coat delamanting on all panels of truck.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

problem #19

Jun 192002

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
I had bought my 1999 Dodge Dakota in 2001, less than 1 year of purchasing this truck, I lost oil pressure, returned the truck to dealer where they tried to replace my motor with a motor that had more miles, this did not happen. Then another year later, gears in my transmission were spent where I had to pay a few thousand dollars to have it repaired. Truck has been sitting for a year, cause of engine knocking again, with no oil pressure, also replaced the oil pump, still no pressure. New converter was put in, still good!! brakes and rotors are another big complaint of mine, when I have to constantly replace these parts, like every 6 months, can you tell me why? I used to love Dodge, but this truck has been a 1 big headache, even parked, cause I know it is going to be costly to repair it again.

- Jericho, VT, USA

problem #18

Aug 022005

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,829 miles

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

The consumer was driving at 35 mph on the street when the transfer case busted. It fall out of the bottom of the vehicle. Consumer had to manually push the vehicle to the side of the street. The engine was still running, but the vehicle was nonmovable. There were no events leading up to this problem. There were no other problems with the vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership and they told him they had never seen a problem like like this before. They said the whole housing busted and fell down, and they would have to replace the whole housing.

- Brandenburg, KY, USA

problem #17

Dec 222004

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
To date, I have replaced the following: 1) upper ball joints - both sides 2) lower ball joints - both sides 3) calipers - both sides (front) 4) water pump 5) wheel hubs - both sides (front) 6) catalytic converter 7) headlamp switch. Now, I have the following problems: 1) headlamp switch (again) 2) transmission will not shift between gears 3) upper control arm bushings.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #16

Dec 221999

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22 miles
When driving 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup in temperatures below -10 degrees F overdrive malfunctions. Dealer at first claimed that it was supposed do this. Later they admitted that it was a design defect, but, do not know how to fix it. Many of these vehicles have been sold in the northern states under false pretences.

- Moorhead, MN, USA

problem #15

Dec 202002

Dakota

  • 80,000 miles

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

While driving the vehicles' automactic transmission started slipping gears. This resulted in other parts in the transmission burning out.(parts unknown). The dealership indicated this was caused by the rubber seals going bad. There is a tis bulletin for this problem.

- Powell, OH, USA

problem #14

Jan 202003

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,400 miles
Transmission is slipping. The truck has 47,078 miles. Too it in and they told me that I need an entire new transmission or they could repair it for $100 less then a factory rebuilt transmission. I don't feel as though a transmission should be slipping with only 47,000 miles on it. The service man told me that it was the front clutch piston was what was the problem. Have you had any other complaints? I feel as though this is unacceptable due to the low miles. I feel as though it is a factory defect.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #13

Oct 232002

(reported on)

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The transmission was destroyed due to an improperly installed check valve. This stopped all flow to and from the transmission and transmission fluid cooler.

- So. Burlington, VT, USA

problem #12

Aug 012002

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving transmission would not shift up to fourth gear. Consumer checked fluids and found transmission fluid low, also hot and brown. After adding fluid the transmission shifted properly. The dealer stated transmission needed to be rebuilt. Mr the failure was in the one way valve which was reversed in the transmission oil cooler line, and failed to shift to fourth gear while driving. The transmission was rebuilt. Scc

- S. Burlington, VT, USA

problem #11

Aug 112002

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle was parked with engine running, consumer shifted to drive instead of reverse and hit a tree. Upon impact, neither airbag deployed. No injury, damage to vehicle was $ 5777.00.

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #10

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 #9

Nov 192001

Dakota 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Fortunetly there were no other parties involved. There was a terrible grinding noise in the transmission when operated at 5 mph or 55 mph. Brought to motorquest of wellesley, MA and they diagnossed the vehicle with a dead transmission. The vehicle is used primarily for transportation to and from work at an average of 60- 70 miles /day. We have not used it for off roading and have regular oil changes and servicing done. Isn't it unusual for a vehicle with 45000-46000 miles to need a new transmission?

- Middleboro, MA, USA

problem #8

Aug 082001

(reported on)

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has been through 5 transmissions within last 10,000 miles. Once a brand new transmission is put in it burns right out. Cause is unknown. Please provide furthr information.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #7

May 092001

(reported on)

Dakota 4WD

  • miles
All four tires have been replaced twice due to unusual wear. Transmission sensor has goen out twice, ball joints & levers are bad.

- Princeton, MN, USA

problem #6

Jan 042001

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
Was shifting from drive into reverse and was turning steering wheel, and vehicle stalled. It could happen in the reverse order. Took to dealership & service manager drove vehicle with owner and problem happened. Was informed that Dodge knew about problem.however, regional manager indicated there was no problem.

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #5

Oct 011999

Dakota

  • miles
Vehicle is on third catalytic converter since purchase, makes a loud clanking sound. Also, does not shift properly.

- Butler, NJ, USA

problem #4

Oct 272000

(reported on)

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling intermittently overdrive indicator light would flash on and stay on without consumer turning button on. Dealer has been contacted.

- Somerset, KY, USA

problem #3

May 122000

Dakota 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Idling in park on flat land, slipped into reverse and hit parked car. 2 previous incidents of reverse into nuetral while backing out of parking space. 3 incidents of drive into 2nd. Several incidents of "settling" sounds while in drive. Manufacturer says nothing is wrong and refusing to perform warranty repair.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 301999

Dakota

  • miles
Ongoing problem with speed control; whenever speed control is engaged while going up an incline or wet surface, it causes sudden acceleration. Vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on five occasios. Repairs / replacement of throttle cable & transmission made, and problem is still reoccurring. Can NHTSA help in this matter.

- Niceville, FL, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?