What are the most common problems with the 1999 Dodge Dakota?

Suspension has the most complaints, followed by brakes, engine and steering.

Does the 1999 Dodge Dakota have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact shows 4 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

What is the gas mileage of the 1999 Dodge Dakota?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

Is the 1999 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Owner reports are mixed by part. Suspension leads the complaint list. See the by-year comparison on this page to compare with other model years.

1999 Dodge Dakota Pickup Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints are there for the 1999 Dakota?

NHTSA has 641 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 641 owner complaints on file for the 1999 Dodge Dakota Pickup^[1]. Suspension is the largest group, with 342 complaints^[2].

641owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

13–19MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints under many parts of this truck. Here are the largest groups by count.

Suspension. 342 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the truck pulling to one side even after an alignment, with uneven tire wear. Others describe being told after purchase that the rated towing capacity of the sporty trim was cut sharply.
Brakes. 94 complaints^[5]. Owners describe a pedal that sinks, brakes that lock up on wet roads, longer stopping distances and rotors that pulse early in the truck's life.
Engine. 72 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a knocking or pinging noise when the engine is warm, sudden shutdowns while driving and oil use that dealers called normal.
Steering. 72 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a wheel that hangs up when turned fully, odd power steering behavior over bumps, loose rack hardware and noises that shops could not trace.
Power Train. 56 complaints^[8].
Air Bags. 32 complaints^[9].
Tires. 24 complaints^[10].
Electrical System. 23 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 1999 Dakota Pickup is necessarily included.

Air Bags (01V153), May 2001. About 216,100 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: an air bag that may not work as intended.^[12]
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor (01V119), April 2001. About 161,682 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[13]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (00V193), July 2000. About 40,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking.^[14]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (00V198), July 2000. About 437,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: reduced braking.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	17 / 22 / 19	$3,550
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[16]	14 / 19 / 16	$4,200
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[17]	14 / 20 / 17	$3,950
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	12 / 17 / 14	$4,800
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[19]	12 / 16 / 14	$4,800
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[20]	11 / 15 / 13	$5,150
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[21]	13 / 17 / 14	$4,800
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[22]	14 / 18 / 15	$4,450
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[23]	12 / 15 / 13	$5,150
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[24]	12 / 16 / 14	$4,800

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 2 DR None^[25].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB S/BOX 2WD^[26]	210 in	72 in	66 in	131 in	3,556 lb
DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB S/BOX 4WD^[27]	210 in	72 in	68 in	131 in	4,026 lb
DAKOTA P/U REG CAB L/BOX 2WD^[28]	210 in	72 in	65 in	124 in	3,395 lb
DAKOTA P/U REG CAB S/BOX 2WD^[29]	191 in	72 in	65 in	112 in	3,333 lb
DAKOTA P/U REG CAB S/BOX 4WD^[30]	191 in	72 in	68 in	112 in	3,810 lb

How 1999 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Dakota Pickup model year. The 1999 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	208	0
1996	189	1
1997	446	5
1998	545	5
1999	641	4
2000	806	5
2001	678	7
2002	678	5
2003	296	4
2004	206	1
2005	470	6
2006	285	5
2007	145	4
2008	91	2
2009	18	5
2010	35	7
2011	44	6

NHTSA's counts for the Dakota Pickup show 641 complaints and 4 recalls for 1999^[3]. Among the 17 model years listed, 13 have fewer complaints than 1999 and 3 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2009 (18) and the most are for 2000 (806)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 1999 Dakota Pickup?

These are unverified reports sent by owners, so they show patterns and not proof^[1]. Suspension stands out by count^[2]. Brakes, engine and steering come next^[5]^[6]^[7]. If you look at a used Dakota from this year, have a mechanic check the suspension, brakes and steering first. Also check the Recalls section above, since the by-year fact lists 4 recalls^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Dodge Dakota?: Suspension has the most complaints, followed by brakes, engine and steering^[2]^[5]^[6]^[7].
Does the 1999 Dodge Dakota have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact shows 4 recalls^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How many complaints are there for the 1999 Dakota?: NHTSA has 641 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 1999 Dodge Dakota?: See the fuel economy section on this page.
Is the 1999 Dodge Dakota reliable?: Owner reports are mixed by part. Suspension leads the complaint list^[2]. See the by-year comparison on this page to compare with other model years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Dodge Dakota Pickup

1998 545 complaints, 5 recalls
1999 this page
2000 806 complaints, 5 recalls
2001 678 complaints, 7 recalls
2002 678 complaints, 5 recalls
2003 296 complaints, 4 recalls
2004 206 complaints, 1 recall
2005 470 complaints, 6 recalls
2006 285 complaints, 5 recalls

Compare all model years of the Dodge Dakota Pickup

Other Dodge models from 1999

1999 Dodge Durango 1,967 complaints, 3 recalls
1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 610 complaints, 0 recalls

All Dodge models

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 641 owner complaints on file for the 1999 Dodge Dakota Pickup (49 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 27 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
342 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,900). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Dakota Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
94 complaints name the brakes component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
72 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,824). NHTSA vehicle records
72 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,450). NHTSA vehicle records
56 complaints name the power train component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the air bags component group (29 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, median mileage at failure 109,494). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 150,000). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 01V153, filed May 8, 2001: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 01V119, filed April 11, 2001: Seat Belts › Front › Retractor. NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V193, filed July 17, 2000: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V198, filed July 17, 2000: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 15 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB S/BOX 2WD: length 210 in, width 72 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 3,556 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB S/BOX 4WD: length 210 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 4,026 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U REG CAB L/BOX 2WD: length 210 in, width 72 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 124 in, curb weight 3,395 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U REG CAB S/BOX 2WD: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,333 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U REG CAB S/BOX 4WD: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,810 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

1999 Dodge Dakota Pickup: problems, recalls and fuel economy