3.7

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,214 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

Nov 262008

Dakota

  • 130,100 miles

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

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Dakota. Immediately after purchasing the vehicle and driving approximately 55 mph, all of the instrument panel indicators illuminated. The vehicle then began to shake and the contact placed oil in the vehicle. He restarted the vehicle and it began shaking even worse. He turned off the vehicle and called the dealer. The dealer retrieved the vehicle and gave the contact his original vehicle back, but did not return his money. The current and failure mileages were 130,100.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #13

Nov 282005

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
The 2000 4 wd Dodge Dakota with the 4.7 engine that we own and bought new (last time...) had an oil pump failure at 60K miles. The dealer had the vehicle for a week to repair the problem citing sludge build up and lack of maintenance as the reason for the failure and the reason for the longer than quoted repair time. Originally the quote was for 6-8 hours plus the cost of the pump which also came in higher than quoted, we ended up paying more than twice the quoted hours for the replacement of the pump. The "sludge" build up problem bothers me because it is reported all over the internet with other people having this problem in the 4.7 magnum engine. The dealer told me that the pick up tube of the pump was blocked with sludge, hence the oil pump failure. Well that in it self is all understandable however, why does it make sludge...? three years prior to the failure while changing the oil I happened to have discovered a slimy sludge build up in the oil fill spout on the engine, asked the service folks at the dealer about this condition and the reply was yes, this is a known condition, come in for the retrofit to cure this "moisture" problem in the 4.7 engine. The service dept did indeed install this baffle and cap and I asked then if there were any other problems associated with this condition. No was the reply. So, my contention is that the aforementioned oil spout sludge problem went hand in hand with the sludge build up in the engine and caused the failure. I feel that the oil pump failure on this vehicle is not acceptable given to miles on this, a well maintained engine and I would like for Chrysler to pay for the repair fully and to investigate the reliability and failure trend in this engine and sludge making tendencies leading to these failure. Rad.

- Wiscasset, ME, USA

problem #12

Nov 152005

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,500 miles
There has been a failure of the oil pump in my 2000 Dodge Dakota sle with the 3.8 liter engine.... 60K miles, out of warranty...!! 60000 miles !! the dealer service dept claims that it was due to sludge build up of the pick up tube of the oil pump. I changed the oil often and use a good quality synthetic oil... no way "sludge" could be built up due to the oil. I have seen other instances of this engine having been known to make sludge on the internet... great...!! in a related matter, I had the oil filler tube replaced about two years ago as it was sludge up... the service fellow replaced a baffle and cap on the filler tube.. there was a considerable amount of sludge build up on the inside of the tube assembly. Are the two related..? I would like for Dodge to pay for the oil pump replacement if they knew before hand that this engine indeed makes sludge.

- Wiscasset, ME, USA

problem #11

Sep 222005

(reported on)

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

2000 Dodge Dakota developed a misfire in the engine while driving with the cruise control engaged. The consumer stated he recently read where there was a service bulletin out regarding a sensor in the transmission.

- Magnolia , TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 272004

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles
I've had my oil changed at the dealer the day I got it..and for the next few times, I changed mine twice and have one of the reciepts...but it still covers the duration of the two according to the owners manual. My 4.7L equipped Dakota blew up....I purchased a warranty for over $1K at purchase, but they will not honor it now because they say its lack of maintenance...how I dont know!!! now they expect me to pay for a new motor....what a load of crap!!

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

problem #9

Aug 012004

Dakota 6-cyl

  • miles
Problems regarding 2000 Dodge Dakota. The consumer thought this was an isolated incident. The consumer found that this was a widespread problem. The #5 cylinder misfired due to a cracked cylinder head. The left head and gasket was replaced along with a blown belly pan gasket. The consumer requested his money back.

- Macomb, IL, USA

problem #8

Aug 012003

Dakota

  • miles

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

Vehicle lost power and stalled out. On five different occasions. Dealer notified.

- Laporte, IN, USA

problem #7

May 262003

Dakota 6-cyl

  • 57,400 miles
Fax fm sarah M. pendleton(fl) re her son, dr. Wizard pendleton's 2000 Dodge Dakota truck, defective engine had to be replaced. It's the opinion of the technician who looked at the car that the engine suffered a mechanical defect in the #4 piston wrist pin. That wrist pin crack and caused the piston to buckle, ruin the cylinder bore and broke the other pistons. The engine was replaced once prior to this failure at 3500 miles because it burned a quart of oil every 300 miles.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #6

Jan 152004

(reported on)

Dakota

  • 58,000 miles
The vehicle experienced an engine surge, engine knocking and lost of oil pressure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the consumer received no help. Please provide any additional information.

- Paw Paw, MI, USA

problem #5

Oct 182003

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
Defective oil pump on the 4.7L Dodge Dakota engine causes engine to seize without warning and need replacement.

- Lewiston, ID, USA

problem #4

May 062003

Dakota

  • miles

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

While driving the engine shut off. The dealer stated the entire engine needed to be replaced.

- Okolona, KY, USA

problem #3

Jul 182002

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While at dealer for transmission problem, mechanic determined engine head was cracked. Please add further information.

- Brentwood, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 262002

(reported on)

Dakota 4WD

  • miles
There has been a redesign of this oil filler cap.....why?

- St. Joseph, MI, USA

problem #1

Feb 092000

Dakota

  • miles
Crank sensor failed, causing engine light to be on.

- Eastaboga, AL, USA

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