10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,129 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.

2000 Dodge Dakota engine problems

engine problem

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2000 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

problem #14

Dec 222007

Dakota

  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Dakota. The air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument control panel, which indicated that the air bag system was inoperative. Also the cruise control switch would not activate. He had not taken the vehicle to the dealership to-date. He called the manufacturer regarding recall 01V153000 (air bags) for the air bags and was informed that his vehicle was not included. The cruise control switch was replaced. The repair did not remedy the failure. The current mileage was approximately 151,360. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Irmo, SC, USA

problem #13

Jan 122008

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 2000 Dodge quadcab 4.7 piece of crap truck that I bought new. It has 59,000 miles on it and has been maintained since new with the regularly scheduled maintenance. In addition, I have replaced two of the computers which cost me about $1800 combined. For the past year or so it has been running like crap. It stalls, the idle speed fluctuates drastically. At times the idle speed will go from 500 to 2500 rpms fluctuating up and down when sitting at a red light. The people next to me must wonder what's going on with my vehicle lunging the way it does. The second computer that was replaced was done in an effort to correct this problem and it failed. Im am tired of spending money on a vehicle with so few miles for a problem that many many other Dodge owner have experienced. I feel like I was duped. My wife's Toyota Camry just hit 130,000 miles and we have never had a problem with it.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #12

Aug 072002

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,800 miles
Several incidents of electrical failure (date below first incident) speedometer does not work; ABS light stays on; computer shorted out; dealer found computer bolted on top of wires; fan stayed on; dates vary over last 1 1/2 years number of failures is a best guess.

- Camano Island, WA, USA

problem #11

Feb 272001

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

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

When cruise control was engaged at speeds between 60 and 75 mph vehicle would surge, and speed would increase and decrease. The throttle position sensor was found to be defective.

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #10

Feb 012001

Dakota

  • miles
When on any incline, going in forward or reverse, engine starts to coast for 5 seconds then suddenly accelerates by itself to 1100 RPM's. on flat ground engine idles at 650 RPM but the second you touch the accelerator it jumps up to 1100 RPM. If you let it go it will change into 2nd gear and the vehicle will go about 18 mph without having your foot on the gas. You have to press the grakes very hard to get it to stop.. on icy pavement the front tires stop but the rear tires are still trying to go due to the engine speed. I have made many trips to the dealer for this but all they ever tell me is that they are "checking" with someone. As of this date they have never called me back. My wife refuses to drive this vehicle because she is afraid it will take off by itself and not stop.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #9

Jul 252001

Dakota 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle accelerates to 3800 RPM in first gear going down hill. Vehicle does not slow with compression until this point. Must ride brakes to slow. Brakes get hot rotor warps. Brake failure. Manufacturer will not address; not warranted even with maxicare warranty.

- Mckinleyville, CA, USA

problem #8

Dec 012001

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

When cruise control is activated, vehicle will rev up to 4500 rpms, and sometimes vehicle will down shift, consumer contacted dealer, and they were not willing to do anything.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

problem #7

Oct 232001

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
This problem has to deal with a rough/low idle and off idle hesitation which sometimes results in engine stalling in traffic or when crossing highways. The in gear warm idle is at a very rough 500-600rpm. When the air conditioner is turned on the idle jumps up to a fairly smooth 700 RPM, and the truck runs fine. This vehicle has had all current updates and recalls performed. The dealer has cleaned the throttle body and iac motor under warranty, but the problem persists. The problem is less evident in cold weather or when the engine is cold. The vehicle has stalled twice; once at a traffic light and once when crossing the highway. The rough idle is always present (sometimes worse than others), but the stalling is very intermitent. I am affraid that this will at some point cause a serious accident.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #6

Aug 012000

Dakota 4WD

  • miles
At approximately 7000 miles I started experiencing an engine RPM surge after putting the vehicle in gear after a cold start. Engine RPM would instantly rise to 1400 - 1500 RPM without any throttle input causing the truck to lunge forward or backward depending on the gear it was in. I reported the problem to the service department and was originally told that nothing could be done since the problem could not be duplicated once the engine had been started and had went through this cycle. I finally got a service advisor to listen after living with this problem for approximately 9 months. At that time, the idle air control motor was changed which corrected the problem. After approximately 6000 - 9000 miles, the problem re-occurred. The dealer again changed the idle control motor which did not correct the problem. Fuel injector cleaner was then ran through the vehicle and the spark plugs were changed which corrected the problem for approximately one week. Any time I start this vehicle after it has set over night with temperatures under 60 degrees the engine starts and idles down to normal idle of approximately 600 -700 RPM. When I put the truck in gear, the idle RPM drops to approximately 400 and will then surge to 1200 - 1400 before idling back down to normal. I am still working with the dealer to get this resolved however am making little progress since they have so far not been able to work with the vehicle long enough to duplicate the problem themselves. The problem occurs for me every day I start the vehicle and the weather is cool. On hot days, it is fine. I am still working with the dealer and will be meeting with them on 8/21/2001. I would like to know if this is a known problem with this vehicle.

- Pekin, IL, USA

problem #5

Feb 212001

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
At 35,000 miles front brake rotors had to be replaced. Prior to this, rotors were turned at 16,000 miles and 21,000 miles. Also, if cruise control is set between 58-60mph vehicle will suddenly downshift 3 gears and will go to 4500 rpms, and then accelerate suddenly to 65 mph. Consumer has taken vehicle to dealer times, but has received no satisfaction. Cause is unknown.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #4

Oct 092000

Dakota 4WD

  • miles

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

When starting vehicle and engaging drive or reverse, engine races and vehicel jumps forward (or reverse) several yards, even with parking brake applied and footbrake applied.

- Oriental, NC, USA

problem #3

Jun 062000

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
The cruise control does not disengage until until the brake is pressed very hard. Nlm

- Bowling Gr, KY, USA

problem #2

May 062000

Dakota

  • miles
While driving with cruise control set at 65 mph, truck accelerated up to a speed of 85 mph before driver was able to disengage the system. Truck will be seen by the dealership. Truck was corrected for the same problem in February.

- Beloit, KS, USA

problem #1

Apr 022000

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling at 60mph, hit brakes and cruise control didn't disengage. Driver steered vehicle into a ditch to avoid an accident. There were no injuries. Consumer will be contacting dealer.

- Mt Pleasant, SC, USA

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