2001 Dodge Dakota problems
The 2001 Dodge Dakota has 945 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (32%) concerns suspension. After that come brakes (16%) and electrical system (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 945 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 33% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 58 and 12
- Injuries and deaths
- 37 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 50,000 miles 598 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 93 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 124 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 148 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 95 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 50 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 18 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 22 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 18 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 11 |
| 200k+ miles | 11 |
What the data shows
Among the 598 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 50,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 44,000 miles (216 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 58 complaints mention a crash; 12 complaints mention a fire; 37 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2001 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 21 model years of the Dodge Dakota with enough data (654 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
In august 2004. A 2001 dodge dakaota pickup ran a stop sign and I hit him. The truck rolled and continued to run and caught the vehical on fire and burned the driver critically, and he ultimately died. Why didn't the vehicle inertia switch cut the vehical off. I have a file claimed against the insurance company and an investigation may be launch on the truck.
My son was driving a 2001 dodge dakota, which I purchased new in 2001. He lost control on a gravel road and went off the edge of a ditch. Air bags did not deploy and he was killed in the accident. His passenger was injured, but survived. The front end of the vehicle was in horrible shape, and there is no way an airbag should not have deployed......updated 11/14/17
The consumer's vehicle rear ended an oil tanker while driving at 45 MPH. Upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed. The driver sustained knee injuries, and the passenger sustained a hair line fracture to left foot, angle, and ribs. She also suffered from back pains. This was the second collision where the air bags didn't deploy. The consumer's husband applied the brakes, but the vehicle failed to slow down. The brakes felt like they were slipping.
The consumer stated the brake rotors were wearing and when the brakes were applied, there was heavy vibration and extended stopping distance. The dealer was notified. The power steering unit had broken and the rotors and drums were badly warped. *scc
I would like to know why dodge has not recalled the dodge dakotas for defective ball joints and disc rotors. I have scanned the internet and found a large number of people who have had the same problem as I. My 2001 dakota was purchased in december. Of 01 and has 44,000 miles . I am 54 years old and this was my first new vehicle. Unfortunately it was a dodge. I will never own another dodge product,and if asked my opinion will not recommend dodge to anyone !!!!!!!!! Please send this to the dodge corp.