Dakota (2nd)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
4.7-V8-Gas
4.7L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Dodge Dakota Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
3.9-V6-Gas
3.9L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
5.9-V8-Gas
5.9L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.7-V6-Gas
3.7L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.5-I4-Gas
2.5L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
5.2-V8-Gas
5.2L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.3-V6-Gas
3.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Dakota, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota
On a used 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the suspension (880), the brakes (677) and the transmission and drivetrain (308). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 880 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota about the suspension.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 677 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota about the brakes.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 308 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 245 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota about the steering.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 197 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota about the engine, all engines combined.
Recalls (20)
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Show 15 older recalls
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) THAT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEADLAMP AND DASH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFED BY THE ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN OR LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) HAS AN IMPROPERLY SIZED CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLAMP LOW BEAM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT OUTBOARD LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE ELECTRIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE INTO GEAR WHEN THE OPERATOR MOVES THE TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR SWITCH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.
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.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
All Generations
Alternatives in Pickup
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota complaints?
Owners have filed 2,643 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota. The systems they name most often are the suspension, the brakes and the transmission.
Is the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 2,643 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota have?
NHTSA has 2,643 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA lists 20 recalls covering some 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Dodge Dakota?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the suspension, the brakes and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Dakota?
The 2003 Dodge Dakota received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars. Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,643 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.