Although Stellantis ceased the production of Dodge Dakota in 2011, this mid-size pickup truck is still well-favored among car enthusiasts, especially for those seeking a reliable mid-size pickup truck. That’s why we can still find many used Dakotas in the market, from the first to the third generation. If you’re also looking for a used Dakota, you’d better steer clear of the worst years of Dodge Dakota below.
In This Article:
Top 5 Worst Dodge Dakota Years You Should Avoid
Before jumping into the details, let’s make it clear: We don’t recommend first-generation trucks, given that they’re all over 30 years old. So, we’ll only focus on models from the second generation, ranging from 1997 to 2011.
To ensure performance and comfort, it’s best to avoid the 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2006 Dodge Dakotas. These pickup trucks are plagued by broken suspensions, engine issues, defective brakes, steering failure, transmission problems, and some cosmetic issues (the paint job).
1999 Dodge Dakota
Despite being launched for over 25 years, some used 1999 Dakotas are still available for sale online. But this model year is by no means a trustworthy companion. As of 2025, it has received 690 owner complaints and 10 recalls on NHTSA.
A majority of complaints revolve around the suspension problem stemming from broken ball joints and old tie rods. This not only caused excessive vibration and loud noise, especially when hitting a pump or a pothole but also led to premature wear and tear of tires. Suspension and steering issues always go hand in hand. This truck also faces loose steering problems with excessive play.
Engine stalling, along with failed water pumps and leaking intake manifold pan gaskets, is another major issue. At some points, the engine overheats and ceases working, and drivers have to wait until it cools down completely to try restarting it. That said, this doesn’t work in most cases, and the only solution is to tow the truck to a dealer.
Many owners also reported the brake problem, in which the pedal gets stuck in the depressed position, and the brake light suddenly turns on. Thorough check-ups reveal that it’s due to a fractured brake line, leaking brake fluid, and reducing the braking power. Additionally, transmission problems, including hard shifting, slippage, and even complete breakdowns, take away from the Dakota’s reliability rating.
2000 Dodge Dakota
The 2000 Dodge Dakota doesn’t fare any better than its predecessor, currently with 12 recalls and 841 complaints on NHTSA. The steering and suspension failure still haunts this model year, with two main culprits being faulty wheel bearings and defective ball joints. We’ve experienced this first-hand.
We had a test drive with a 2000 Dakota, which clocked in over 98,000 miles. As we revved up to 30 MPH on the freeway, the truck started to give off a squeaking noise from the front, and the steering felt loose then. We had to pull over and bring it to a dealer. Inspection showed that the problem originated from broken upper ball joints.
Issues with the braking system seem to worsen in this model year, with over 250 complaints as of this writing. The main cause? The brake lines corrode to the point of damage, leading to a severe leak of brake fluid and, eventually, loss of braking power.
Another notable problem is the poor exterior lighting, contributing to 4 out of 12 recalls. In particular, the bumper and corner lamps lack amber side reflectors, which goes against the federal motor vehicle safety standard. These recalls affected over 124,000 vehicles, taking a toll on Dakota’s reputation and reliability rating.
Cosmetic issues, like paint fading and peeling off, are also a pet peeve among owners. Some even reported that the paint job and even the windshield started to fade after just 2 years.
2002 Dodge Dakota
The Dodge Dakota’s streak of failure continues to its 2002 model, which is evident in 12 recalls and 693 complaints to date, as reported by NHTSA. The suspension failure and breaking issues are still the main sources of concern.
Adding to the mix is the exacerbated steering problem compared to previous models. The symptoms don’t stop at loose steering but evolve into steering knuckles and the steering wheel not working or even falling off. Loss of steering control can pose a serious risk of accidents midway.
This second-generation Dodge Dakota is also plagued by transmission issues. Many user complaints reveal that it’s hard to get the truck into Park, and once it’s in Park, it might slip out at times, leaving the drivers unprepared.
We’ve been there. One of our members owned a 2002 Dodge Dakota. He experienced hard shifting when the truck accumulated around 96,000 miles. It took him several tries to shift the car into Park, but it suddenly went into Reverse and hit the neighbor’s mailbox. This issue can pop up at any time without warning lights. Many drivers encountered the steering problem around 100,000 miles, while some experienced it after reaching 200,000 miles.
Dodge explained the root cause of this in its 2007 recall as being the inoperative ignition/park shift interlock system in automatic transmissions. This defect makes the truck slip out of Park unintentionally, whether the ignition key is removed or locked.
2005 Dodge Dakota
The third generation of Dodge Dakota started with a not-so-stellar model. Until now, 468 complaints and 7 recalls have been recorded on NHTSA for the 2005 Dakota. While the steering, suspension, and brake troubles saw a significant improvement, other common issues arose.
Safety is one of the biggest concerns, mostly related to the defective airbag. Numerous owners shared that the airbag failed to deploy in the event of crashes and accidents. In an attempt to address this problem, Dodge conducted 4 recalls.
According to the brand, the frontal airbag inflators might burst upon crashes, releasing sharp metal fragments that can injure occupants. Additionally, in some pickup trucks, the built-in side curtain airbag might improperly deploy due to the faulty fasteners, resulting in injuries.
Transmission failure is also a recurring issue, manifested in hard shifting or complete loss of control. Drivers find it hard to switch to Park or Neutral, and in some cases, the truck goes into 4WD mode on its own.
Safety problems also originate from the seats, which can overheat and catch fire. Regarding this, a recall was issued in 2017, affecting over 16,00 vehicles equipped with seat heaters. These heaters might overheat out of control, leaving burnt holes and potentially bursting into flames.
2006 Dodge Dakota
The 2006 model might be the least problematic among the worst Dakota years, but it’s not immune to flaws. According to NHTSA, this truck has received 282 complaints and 6 recalls as of 2025. The airbag defect remains a black mark for this 3rd-generation Dakota, with over 120 related complaints.
A closer look into the owner’s complaints also reveals a severe steering issue. Unlike in previous models, this problem exhibits itself in various symptoms, including stiff steering, loose steering, loss of power steering, power steering fluid leaks, and misaligned steering wheels.
We owned a 7-year-old 2006 Dodge Dakota with over 60,000 miles on the odometer, and the steering failure is our biggest pet peeve. As we were approaching the 60,000-mile mark, the steering wheel felt stiff, so we had to turn it forcefully. Then, it suddenly loosened, causing overcorrection. Although we had just refilled the steering fluid, there was no fluid left when we inspected it. Many drivers agree that Dodge should issue a recall regarding this failure.
Besides, owners experience a wide range of electrical problems, from illuminated dashboard lights, malfunctioning windshield wipers and turn signals, faulty power door lock actuators, and broken power switches for power windows to defective ignition switches.
8 Common Problems With Dodge Dakota
These issues commonly occur on many Dodge Dakota models, especially the five years above:
- Suspension and steering failures: Many Dodge Dakota models, particularly from 1999–2002, suffer from faulty ball joints, worn tie rods, and loose steering. These issues result in excessive vibration, noise, and loss of steering control, posing serious safety risks.
- Brake system issues: Brake line corrosion, fluid leaks, and pedal malfunctions are widespread problems. Drivers have reported reduced braking power, brake lockups, and dangerous delays in stopping.
- Engine stalling and overheating: Engine issues include stalling, overheating, and failure to restart. Leaking gaskets and failed water pumps frequently contribute to these malfunctions.
- Transmission troubles: Slipping gears, hard shifting, and unexpected gear changes plague many Dakota models. The 2002 model, for instance, had a recall due to an inoperative park shift interlock system that could cause unintentional gear shifts.
- Coolant leaks and oil leakage: Several Dakota models exhibit coolant leaks and oil seepage from engine components. These problems increase the risk of engine overheating and long-term damage.
- Body and paint degradation: The 2000 model year is notorious for paint fading, roof oxidation, and rusting wheel wells. These cosmetic defects contribute to long-term depreciation and poor aesthetics.
- Poor lighting and visibility: Missing amber side reflectors in bumper and corner lamps led to federal safety violations and multiple recalls. These lighting flaws compromise visibility and vehicle safety.
- Exhaust manifold issues: Ticking noises during cold starts may be linked to corroded or broken manifold bolts. This issue, though minor at first, can become a persistent annoyance.
What About The Best Year Dodge Dakota?
The 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 Dodge Dakotas are the most reliable model years. They experience fewer electrical and mechanical problems and receive fewer complaints and recalls, thereby gaining greater reliability and safety ratings.
