Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Two years ago I purchased a 1999 Dodge Dakota 4wd pick up truck with approx. 63K miles. At 68,500 miles I replaced the brake rotors, pads and calipers. The caliper bolts pulled out of the spindle on each wheel and allowed the caliper to drop down onto the rotor causing the brakes to pull to the left side and overheat. When I removed the calipers the bolts were removable by hand and the threading in the spindle was rusted out and would not hold new caliper bolts. I contacted two Dodge dealers (parts dept) and they stated they knew of no problems with the spindles. I checked on the internet and it seems that there has been an ongoing problem with the bolts pulling out of the spindles on this model of Dakota's and durango's. …
Brake pedal broke when the SUV applied his brake hard to stop for the pickup in front of him. I was behind him about 4 to 5 car lengths going between 40 to 45 MPH, I hit the brakes they worked for a split second and the pedal went to the floor. I rear ended the SUV. The accident caused about $3500 damage to the SUV, $2500. To the pickup in front of it and $6500 to $7000. Damage to my 19999 Dodge Dakota. The point that the brake linkage connects to the brake pedal broke off the brake pedal.
Driving to the grocery store about 30 MPH needing to brake and the front brakes were gone. Right front caliper bolt broke thread and the caliper came off the spindle, steering caused more grinding and then I thought of the emergency/parking brake. I have replaced the same spindle before, but parts are not available now or before. I can';t find a used/new spindle to repair it and it just passed inspection.
Around 03/04/2008 I was driving through a credit union parking lot and hit a sheet of ice I engaged my brakes to slow down, but my anti-lock brakes did not work and I slid 25' into an SUV causing some costly damage to both vehicles. Both vehicles were disabled and had to be towed. Also,the airbags on my vehicle did not engage and fortunately I only sustained a minor head injury.
Brakes came apart when applied, no brake. Rattle on rotors, pad damage. Bolts that go through caliper stripped threads from spindle freeing caliper to bounce on rotor I have replaced with used part once hoping for recall, bad news dude!!!
Every time I used the lighter the fuse would blow, my radio would fail and I would have troubles with my wipers. I checked all fuses and didn't find a problem. All of a sudden my headlights will go out and once in a while if I click my high beams on and off the driving headlights will eventually come back on. I was in northern maine and I lost my power steering. I had to walk through the woods to a cabin I could see had its house light on and knock on the door for help. Once my truck was freed from being stuck I had to drive 3 miles back to the mountain w/no power steering. When I brought it to the local dealer they showed me that there was some long silver rod like thing, which had just broken in half!! I didn't think anything of it because it was still covered under warranty. A while later, my brake system had to be replaced at a cost of $800. …
Aug. 24, 2007 ABS @ brake warning lamps light, brake pedal went to the floor. Made appointment at a dealership. Aug. 25, 2007 1) I found master cycl. Was empty (no brake fluid.) 2) found hole in rusted brake line under drivers side door.3) found all brake lines were rusted underneath side of truck. Aug. 28, 2007 had truck towed to dealership. Aug. 30, 2007 called customer assistance center to check on recall for rusted brake lines. No recalls. Given case # 16686272. 1st estimate for repairs $350.00 to 400.00. 2nd estimate for repairs $500.00 to 600.00. 3rd estimate for repairs $700.00 to 800.00. Sept. 11, 2007 repairs completed. All brake lines underneath truck were replaced with original parts. Total 8 lines. Total bill was $865.24 minus a 10% coupon I had total now $781.92. …
Brake line failure, rear brakes seized. Replaced rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders 6,500 miles ago (approximately 1 1/2 years ago). Several weeks ago 9/23/2011 my truck suffered rear brake line failure - steel line that runs from front to back - failure adjacent left rear tire within frame housing. I discovered the line wall failure within an area of extreme corrosion of the line - approximately six inches of the brake line with remaining nine plus feet of the line in like new condition. Further review discovered the left rear brake assembly to be severely corroded, ie shoes, springs, adjusters, etc. As well as the left front rotor assembly. Review of the physical body of the truck found the left front cab body mount to be "gone" (rusted away!) as well as several areas of the left side of the body proper also exhibiting oxidation (two years ago this was not the case at all). …
I have had both problems (ABS and tire failure) on two seperate occasions. The date on the report was for the most recent. I came around a curve to the right, then turned to the left to straighten out for the road and nothing happened. I started heading for a ditch in someone's yard so I applied the brakes they locked up then released completely. My right front tire went flat causing steering to be nonresponsive. In my first accident, I was following a friend coming from a light that just turned green, and the car in front of him started to slow down to turn, when I applied the brakes, they locked up and would not release so I turned the wheel to avoid the accident and the right front tire went flat causing me to slide on the wheel into the back of another motorist. I have witnesses in both cases that say there was nothing I could do and that I was not breaking any laws. …
Water pump failure, after replacement of catalytic converter exhaust leak detected, slow speed from 2nd to 3rd gear, gear sticks from 3rd to 4th gear, rough idling, odometer reading failure, ABS light stays on, check engine light remains lit, gas tank sensor failure (reads empty when tank is full), when driving approx. 10 - 20 MPH engine stalls / shuts off, coming to stop engine shuts off, vehicle vibration when brakes applied to come to a stop or slowing down (rear brakes), engine pings / knocks in normal operation at speeds from 30 to 70+ MPH, after the engine warms up, anti-lock / ABS sensor out, fuel gauge - sending unit malfunction, intake manifold gasket leaking, gasket cracked / leaking, thermostat gasket leaking, drive belt cracking / deteriorating, fuel induction system failing. Problems with this vehicle since date of purchase. Purchased from Honda north dealer.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake tube and power steering hose for wear. If wear is evident, the brake tube and/or power steering hose will be replaced.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Some vehicles May have been built with inadequate clearance between the rear axle vent hose and the brake hose.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear brake hose for evidence of wear. Worn brake hoses will be replaced. The rear vent hose will be shortened by 3 inches and a clip will be installed to assure clearance between the axle vent…
Brake complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 95 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Dodge Dakota, 15% of the model year's 641 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Dakota brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-193 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jul 17, 2000); NHTSA recall 00V-198 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jul 17, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Dakota brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.