Known Recalls

Model year record

2000 Dodge Dakota

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,097 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V596000

Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
592,707
Reported to NHTSA
2004-12-21
Owners notified
2004-12-21

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Safety risk

EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V153000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
216,100
Reported to NHTSA
2001-05-08
Owners notified
2001-06-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V197000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
20,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-17
Owners notified
2000-09-11

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXPEL FLUID FROM THE FILL TUBE DURING NORMAL TEMPERATURE OPERATION.

Safety risk

THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE VENT HOSE AND ASSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V193000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
40,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-17
Owners notified
2000-09-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V198000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
437,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-17
Owners notified
2000-08-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.

Safety risk

A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint20749,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor13715,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint9751,085 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip485,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3563,500 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2858,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2160,077 mi
Suspension2148,666 mi
Suspension: front2049,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1635,000 mi
Tires1652,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1556,278 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1551,945 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1460,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1426,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1315,000 mi
Air bags1288,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1257,863 mi
Unknown or other1250,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum11—
Steering11100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components9—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads950,000 mi
Engine7126,000 mi
Power train790,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit753,000 mi
Visibility: windshield7—
Wheels6125,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring51,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system557,750 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft540,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission537,000 mi
Seats560,000 mi
Service brakes595,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor514,000 mi
Steering: column557,400 mi
Steering: rack and pinion571,528 mi
Suspension: front: control arm550,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm549,476 mi
Wheels: rim5—
Electrical system445,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood442,000 mi
Equipment427,500 mi
Power train: axle assembly4330 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper463,716 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Structure: body4150,000 mi
Suspension: rear4—
Tires: sidewall416,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core423,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls445,300 mi
Fuel system, gasoline335,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3—
Power train: axle hubs3330 mi
Seat belts340,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections371,528 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump341,500 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm372,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber319,532 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing372,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear3—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2117,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery270,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump215,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system260,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2—
Power train: clutch assembly245,000 mi
Power train: driveline290,300 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)2330 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor2139,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock234,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings218,000 mi
Steering: linkages228,832 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm257,001 mi
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly2—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly2—
Tires: bead211,850 mi
Tires: tread/belt2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2104,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1142,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control157,750 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1100,000 mi
Exterior lighting1126,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights150,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch129,925 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors140,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages150,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1330 mi
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly152,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other126,389 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, air120,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders156,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector170,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system152,000 mi
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection1—
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting127,700 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack148,000 mi
Structure1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields192,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut119,532 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels: multi piece1—

The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.