10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
91,493 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Mar 032020

Dakota 8-cyl

  • 250,000 miles

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

The gauges would stop working. Seems there was no communication cmt and I had the emc checked and it was fine. It only costs $90 to have it checked out. Seems there are a number of complaints in regard to this failure.

- New U, TX, USA

problem #34

Apr 292019

Dakota

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the headlights and the key fob were inoperable. In addition, the vehicle would not start. The contact mentioned that the battery was replaced, but the failure was still persistent. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the central timer module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to get a used part because they no longer made that part. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- Troutdale, OR, USA

problem #33

Dec 182018

Dakota

  • 189,000 miles
Hello my I am disapointed this is the 3rd cam shaft sensor ill have to replace after much research this is a common error on whoever designed this in result car can shutsown while driving leaving you with no control or perhaps when starting vehicle willll not stay running why isnt there a recall to fix this poblem for intake manifold

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

problem #32

Jun 012018

Dakota

  • 160,000 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 headlights, turn signals, and speedometer failed to operate. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Cambridge, MN, USA

problem #31

Jan 152018

Dakota

  • 148,500 miles
Computer control of headlights, interior and dash lighting, and possibly the ABS system and the intermittent wiper control are affected. Without warning these systems either failed or became erratic. Vehicle exhibits these malfunctions both stationary and in motion, and at all speeds. It is apparently not an uncommon issue, as per information available on the internet. The (temporary?) fix is to disconnect the battery for 15+ minutes, possible cause: The computer connectors.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #30

Aug 162016

Dakota

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the interior dome and instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. In addition, the headlights and tail lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the central control timer module failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic disconnected the battery and all the lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that nothing could be done to assist. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Oakfield, WI, USA

problem #29

Aug 012016

Dakota

  • 89,000 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 instrument cluster lights, windshield wipers, headlights, signal lights, and door locks stopped working without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the central control timing module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact opened case number: 30176046 and was placed on a waiting list for parts. The contact received an email stating that the part was no longer being made as of 2011. The contact located a dealer that had the part in stock, but was informed that the part was on freeze by the manufacturer. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 89,000.

- Oakfield, WI, USA

problem #28

Sep 072016

Dakota

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving 55 mph, the passenger side low beam headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the central timer module and keyless entry failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

- St George, UT, USA

problem #27

May 272016

Dakota

  • 147,000 miles
4WD selector switch blinking and unable to go into 4WD modes, door locks open and close randomly at any speed, 4WD drive light on at dash, no air blowing for ac or heat.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #26

Mar 192015

Dakota

  • 175,600 miles
I was driving down the road and while my heat was on and I lost two fan speeds, after further inspection I found my resistor was melted, and so were two wires. Now I currently lost another speed and have only level 2 for heat and air conditioning.

- Melville, NY, USA

problem #25

Jun 212013

Dakota 6-cyl

  • 91,454 miles

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

Dash lights began to flash along with head lights, then went out. Time was 10:30 pm to dark to drive rural roads.

- Auburn, WA, USA

problem #24

Jun 192013

Dakota 8-cyl

  • 98,762 miles
Air bag light came on and stayed on. I was not moving, just started vehicle. Light has remained on for 5 days with my normal driving. Horn and cruise control work.

- Cedar Key, FL, USA

problem #23

Apr 242013

Dakota 6-cyl

  • 85,196 miles
The stereo system stop working, the interior lights are flickering and even when the doors are perfectly closed and I am wearing my seat bell the alarm ( bell sound) start sounding when I reach the 10 mph speed.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #22

Dec 212011

Dakota

  • 104,300 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact was driving approximately 3 mph when all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then noticed smoke coming from the dashboard area which then ignited into a fire. The driver was not injured and was abel to exit the vehicle safely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that the sensor timer module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the vehicle failure was pending an investigation. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 104,300.

- Damascus, OR, USA

problem #21

Dec 012009

Dakota

  • 100,000 miles
TL-the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the cruise control, airbag and horn were defective. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the clock spring was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 111,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Village Of Oak Creek, AZ, USA

problem #20

Mar 242011

Dakota

  • 10,000 miles
An existing NHTSA recall, 06V039000, exists for 2006 Dodge Dakotas. "static can disable headlamps, turn signals, & windshield wipers". I have a 2001 Dakota with the same issue. It happen 2-5 times per year. Everything works again if I cycle the ignition, but that 's small comfort if the headlights go out @ 75 mph. Dodge has refused to fix it for free, saying that it only applies to 2006. If it is a safety issue for a 2006, then it is a safety risk for 2001 too. The known fix is to "re-flash" the dash, which I assume means to reprogram the dash control processor.

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #19

Oct 012010

Dakota

  • 236,000 miles
I bought my 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab brand new and until this date, I have only had one issue. The power window motor quit and was replaced in 2008. On October 1st, 2010, my cruise control went out. Thinking it was wear and tear, I was not in a rush to fix it. Then the horn quit working. When the air bag light started flashing when I turned the steering wheel, I took it in to be serviced. My concern is that I have the same issues as a previous recall, but my VIN # is not included in that period. My mechanic says it is the clockspring assembly that needs to be replaced and the part is expensive. Looking online, it appears Dodge is not making good. My VIN # matches the other complaints. After contacting Dodge (11/10/10), I was offered a 50% refund on repair work. This says to me that they acknowledge there is something wrong with other models/year. This is unacceptable no matter how old the vehicle is. It is a safety issue with Dodge.

- Paisley, FL, USA

problem #18

Oct 162010

Dakota

  • 75,000 miles
Movement of tilt steering wheel in lower half of range will cause short-circuit of turn signal operation. Left and right turn signal will be inoperative. Radio circuit also affected. Movement back into upper half of range will correct problem.

- Solon, IA, USA

problem #17

Feb 052010

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated the doors would lock independently. The windshield wipers would engage independently and the interior lights would sporadically flicker on and off. The contact found that the central timer module was burned and partially melted. In addition, the contact stated he has had to replace the blower motor resister board four times because it had burned. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 112,000 and the current mileage was 123,000. Updated 11/03/10. Updated 11/19/10

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #16

Feb 012010

Dakota

  • 72,990 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated the door locks, air bag, head lights, and windshield wiper became inoperable. The dealer diagnosed the failure at the cmt and clock spring modules. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 72,990 and the current mileage was 73,000.

- Lynden , WA, USA

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