What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Dakota?

Owners most often name the suspension and brakes groups. Power train and steering complaints follow. NHTSA has 806 complaints in total.

Does the 2000 Dodge Dakota have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows 5 recalls. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

How much fuel does the 2000 Dodge Dakota use?

See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

Is the 2000 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Complaints are unverified owner reports, so they are not a reliability score. Brakes and suspension are the groups named most often. Check the recalls and by-year sections too.

2000 Dodge Dakota Pickup Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 806 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Dodge Dakota Pickup^[1]. Suspension and brakes are the groups that come up most often^[2]^[3].

806owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[4]

12–20MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Suspension. 282 complaints^[2]. Owners describe rattles, clunks from the front end and shaking at speed. Several say the dealer looked at the truck more than once and could not find a fix.
Brakes. 263 complaints^[3]. Owners describe the truck pulling to one side when stopping, a pedal that sinks, and rotors that warp or overheat. Some say the shaking came back after repairs.
Power Train. 74 complaints^[6]. Owners describe leaking transmission fluid, shifts that slip or hesitate, and noise from the rear axle.
Steering. 68 complaints^[7]. Owners describe play in the steering column, popping sounds from the front, and worn or broken parts that left the truck hard to control.
Engine. 57 complaints^[8].
Air Bags. 29 complaints^[9].
Visibility. 25 complaints^[10].
Tires. 24 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2000 Dakota Pickup is necessarily included.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint (04V596), December 2004. About 592,707 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: parts separating.^[12]
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.^[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]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission (00V197), July 2000. About 20,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.^[15]
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.^[16]

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^[5]	18 / 23 / 20	$3,350
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[17]	15 / 20 / 16	$4,200
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	15 / 21 / 17	$3,950
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[19]	13 / 18 / 15	$4,450
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[20]	13 / 18 / 15	$4,450
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[21]	11 / 16 / 13	$5,150
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[22]	13 / 17 / 14	$4,800
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[23]	14 / 17 / 15	$4,450
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[24]	13 / 17 / 14	$4,800
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[25]	13 / 17 / 14	$4,800
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[26]	11 / 15 / 12	$5,600

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 2 DR None^[27].

How 2000 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Dakota Pickup model year. The 2000 is highlighted^[4].

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 806 complaints and 5 recalls for 2000^[4]. Among the 17 model years listed, 16 have fewer complaints than 2000 and 0 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2009 (18) and the most are for 2000 (806)^[4]. 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 2000 Dakota Pickup?

The complaint record for this truck is dominated by the suspension and brakes groups^[2]^[3]. Owners also describe power train and steering trouble^[6]^[7]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, so they show what owners reported and not how often a part fails. The page also lists recalls for this model year, with 5 on file^[4]. If you are shopping for one, check that the brakes and front end have been looked at and that every recall repair was done.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Dakota?: Owners most often name the suspension and brakes groups^[2]^[3]. Power train and steering complaints follow^[6]^[7]. NHTSA has 806 complaints in total^[1].
Does the 2000 Dodge Dakota have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows 5 recalls^[4]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How much fuel does the 2000 Dodge Dakota use?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2000 Dodge Dakota reliable?: Complaints are unverified owner reports, so they are not a reliability score^[1]. Brakes and suspension are the groups named most often^[3]^[2]. Check the recalls and by-year sections too.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Dodge Dakota Pickup

2000 this page
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 2000

2000 Dodge Durango 1,075 complaints, 2 recalls
2000 Dodge Intrepid 1,065 complaints, 7 recalls
2000 Dodge Neon 337 complaints, 5 recalls
2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 513 complaints, 2 recalls

All Dodge models

Similar cars from 2000: pickup trucks

2000 Chevrolet S10 Pickup 471 complaints, 4 recalls
2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1,919 complaints, 8 recalls
2000 Ford Ranger 676 complaints, 4 recalls

All pickup trucks we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 806 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Dodge Dakota Pickup (60 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 44 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
282 complaints name the suspension component group (12 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
263 complaints name the brakes component group (16 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). 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: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
74 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,500). NHTSA vehicle records
68 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,050). NHTSA vehicle records
57 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,818). NHTSA vehicle records
29 complaints name the air bags component group (24 crashes, 0 fires, 24 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the visibility component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,300). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the tires component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,250). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 04V596, filed December 21, 2004: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
Recall 01V153, filed May 8, 2001: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V193, filed July 17, 2000: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V197, filed July 17, 2000: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. 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: 15 city / 20 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: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 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 / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-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, 4.7L 8-cyl, Manual 5-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, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 12 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

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.

2000 Dodge Dakota Pickup: problems, recalls and fuel economy