NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
70 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN 2003, WHEN MY VEHICLE, A DODGE DAKOTA PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG CHECK. MILEAGE WAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 39,900 MILES. IT FAILED. IT FAILED 3 TIMES. AFTER PAYING ABOUT $800.00 IT PASS THE SMOG TEST. THIS YEAR, MY PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG TEST. THE MILEAGE WAS 49,900 MILES, AGAIN IT FAILED THE SMOG TEST (TWICE NOW). TO THIS DATE, I…
Read full complaint
IN 2003, WHEN MY VEHICLE, A DODGE DAKOTA PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG CHECK. MILEAGE WAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 39,900 MILES. IT FAILED. IT FAILED 3 TIMES. AFTER PAYING ABOUT $800.00 IT PASS THE SMOG TEST. THIS YEAR, MY PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG TEST. THE MILEAGE WAS 49,900 MILES, AGAIN IT FAILED THE SMOG TEST (TWICE NOW). TO THIS DATE, IT HAS NOT PASSED THE SMOG TEST AND COST HAS ALREADY GONE TO APPROXIMATED $300.00. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141646
114,000 miles · Mar 15, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WORE OUT COMPLETELY. WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IN EITHER DIRECTION THE WHEELS SQUEAKED AND CLANKED WHEN TURNING AND GOING OVER BUMPS. *AK DEALER FOU…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WORE OUT COMPLETELY. WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IN EITHER DIRECTION THE WHEELS SQUEAKED AND CLANKED WHEN TURNING AND GOING OVER BUMPS. *AK DEALER FOUND RIGHT UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHING NOISY. COOLING SYSTEM LEAK. THERMOSTAT AND GASKET REPLACED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10111534
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
DODGE DAKOTA 1999 CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE FRONT END WOBBLE, BRAKE VIBRATION AND UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEM. *BF THE SHOCK ABSORBERS AND TRANSFER CASE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKED AND THERE WAS EXTRA PLAY IN THE STEERING. A PIECE OF THE EXHAUST FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10113407
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other
DODGE DAKOTA 1999 NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BALL JOINT AND STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END, TRANSMISSION, ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHTS, POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE WHICH CONSISTED OF HESITATION AND LOSS OF POWER ESPECIALLY WHEN UNDER A LOAD-GOING UP AND HILL AND SEEMED TO GET WORSE AS THE GA…
Read full complaint
DODGE DAKOTA 1999 NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BALL JOINT AND STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END, TRANSMISSION, ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHTS, POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE WHICH CONSISTED OF HESITATION AND LOSS OF POWER ESPECIALLY WHEN UNDER A LOAD-GOING UP AND HILL AND SEEMED TO GET WORSE AS THE GAS LEVEL IN THE TANK LOWERED, HARD ABRUPT SHIFTING WHEN IN REVERSE AND PARK TO REVERSE, LOUD RUBBING WHICH WAS INTERMITTENT WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AND WHEN STOPPING, THE FRONT WOULD SHAKE, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT WAS NOT VISIBLE ON THE DASH WHEN ACTIVATED AND WOULD ONLY SHOW WHEN THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE WAS ACTIVATED, AND THERE WAS A WOBBLE, FLEXING AND OR VIBRATION THAT WOULD BE PRESENT WHEN BRAKING ALONG WITH A LOOSE FEELING OR WOBBLE WHEN TURNING THE FRONT WHEELS. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10113622
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
NUMEROUS FRONT END/ENGINE, EXHAUST, BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL MAFUNCTIONS/MECHANICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING INCREASING SEVERITY FRONT END WOBBLING/VIBRATION/FLEXING WHEN TURNING WHEELS, GOING DOWN A HILL AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED YET BUT OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF VEHICLE AND OPERATION. I HAVE CONTACT…
Read full complaint
NUMEROUS FRONT END/ENGINE, EXHAUST, BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL MAFUNCTIONS/MECHANICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING INCREASING SEVERITY FRONT END WOBBLING/VIBRATION/FLEXING WHEN TURNING WHEELS, GOING DOWN A HILL AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED YET BUT OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF VEHICLE AND OPERATION. I HAVE CONTACTED,COMPAINED, CALLED.E-MAILED AND FAXED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THIS 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH SUPPOSSEDLY ONLY 44951 MILES -MITCHELL PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED ON QUEEN STREET IN SOUTHINGTON, CT AND ALSO THE MITCHELL CONGLOMERATE OWNER STEVE MITCHELL AS WELL AS MITCHELL DODGE IN SIMSBURY, CT WHO PROVIDED THIS SUPPOSSEDLY INSPECTED, CERTIFIED SAFE VEHICLE TO MITCHELL IN SOUTHINGTON, CT FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10105906
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
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. *JB NOW, I HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1) HEADLAMP SWITCH (AGAIN) 2) TRANSM…
Read full complaint
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. *JB NOW, I HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1) HEADLAMP SWITCH (AGAIN) 2) TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS 3) UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10104324
55,000 miles · Dec 19, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE, EXCESSIVE RATTLING AND NOISE DURING OPERATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10104070
15,000 miles · Jun 2, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionUnknown Or Other
WHEN MAKING SHARP TURN A POPPING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK THE REPORTS WERE MADE WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD RELATIVELY LOW MILES. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE BALL JOINTS INDICATED THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A Q…
Read full complaint
WHEN MAKING SHARP TURN A POPPING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK THE REPORTS WERE MADE WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD RELATIVELY LOW MILES. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE BALL JOINTS INDICATED THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A QUOTE TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINT BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. THE LOWER BALL JOINT ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER ALSO HEARD A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OR HIGHER THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF WIND NOISE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WEATHER STRIP. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10057242
85,000 miles · Apr 9, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED 2 SECONDS LATER. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF OIL PUMP FAILURE. THE OIL PRESSURE WASN'T BEING EVENLY DISTRIBUTED, AND IT DESTROYED THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10066883
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED OIL LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10066700
Official recalls
4May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Apr 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH 2.5L ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE FOR WEAR. IF WEAR IS EVIDENT, THE BRAKE TUBE AND/OR POWER STEERING HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. A POWER STEERING STANDOFF BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE FOR EVIDENCE OF WEAR. WORN BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. THE REAR VENT HOSE WILL BE SHORTENED BY 3 INCHES AND A CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ASSURE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AXLE VENT LINE AND BRAKE HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Illustration