Is the 2000 Dodge Dakota a bad year?
806 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Dakota years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2000 Dodge Dakota are in line with other Dakota years. Suspension, brakes and steering stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 Dakota owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 50,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 282 (35%) | 38k–66k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 262 (33%) | 15k–53k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 68 (8%) | 42k–88k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 74 (9%) | 46k–77k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 29 (4%) | 47k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 25 (3%) | 41k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Tires | 24 (3%) | 16k–61k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 22 (3%) | 44k–120k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 48 (6%) | 57k–124k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (1%) | 57k–125k miles · ahead | — |
| Latches and locks | 16 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 50,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 806 complaints: 60 mention a crash · 14 mention a fire · 35 report an injury.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Mar 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Clutch failure (Broken center) after only 45000 miles, also took out slave cylinder in the process.
Transmission in a 2000 Dodge dakota, transmission started to slip in overdrive. Dodge recommended a total rebuild.
Transmission failed on Dodge dakota on a hill. No crash but I heard this is happening to tons of Dodge trucks at around 70,000 miles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 50,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Dodge Dakota: 12
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Improper seating of the wheel can result in excessive vibration, brake rotor noise, difficulty removing the wheel after installation and operation of the vehicle, and possibly wheel-end separation during vehicle operation.
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. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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). A jammed open throttle could cause unintended acceleration of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash or increased stoping distances when braking.
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. In the presence of an ignition source, a fuel leak could result in a fire.
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. Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Some vehicles may have been built with inadequate clearance between the rear axle vent hose and the brake hose. A puncture in the rear brake hose will result in a loss of braking force at the rear wheels.
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. The transmission fluid could come into contact with the hot exhaust system and ignition of the transmission fluid could result.
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. A puncture of the left front brake tube can result in a loss of braking force at the front wheels, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 12
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Dodge Dakota. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
Radiator If vehicle comes in for transmission fluid leaking from trans-oil cooler fittings on the radiator…
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Upper ball joint separation
Front safety belt anchorage
Stop lamp switch
Front safety belt anchorage disengagemen
Neighbouring years
2001 Dakota: 678 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Dodge Dakota year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All Dakota years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Dodge Dakota a bad year?
806 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Dakota years. At 50,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Dakota?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (282), brakes (262), steering (68), transmission and drivetrain (74), air bags (29).
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Dakota have?
12 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Suspension (NHTSA 08E064000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E065000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.