Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Often when I start my truck the oil pressure gauge will go all the way up, the gauge for the battery stays down, and when it does start, the serpentine belt will squeal, sometimes it will start and idle, other times it will not idle, unless I keep my foot on the gas, as soon as I take my foot off the gas it will stall, after about 15 minutes, everything will go back to normal and it runs fine, but lately, its been doing it more often, when it does this, there is a foul smell coming out of the exhaust. I have had it scanned and no codes came up on the scanner. I do not have a lot of money, so if there is a recall please let me know how a recall works. This has happened several times, but the last time was 9/23/2019, when I started it today, it ran fine.
I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota. Several time the truck will not start or will shut down a few minutes/miles after starting. The truck has a manual transmission and when this happens even 'kick' starting has no effect. After the truck shuts down, 10 to 15 minutes later it starts up without any trouble. This has happened while on the highway and in city traffic.
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. …
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.
I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota v-8 magnum 5.2l, it only has 138,000 miles on it. When I bought it it only had 76,600 miles. In that little time I have had to replace the upper and lower ball joints twice, and the rack and pinion, and the water pump, the thermostat, the power steering pump, the tie rods, and there is so much more wrong. Why am having to replace these things twice in such little mileage? After reading up on it through the internet I am not the only one with these problems, there are hundreds of people with the same complaints, why is there a recall on the 2000, & 1998 but not 1999? I am out so much money and have almost wrecked my truck twice because of these problems, once with 6 kids in the car with me and again with my 3 kids. This needs immediate attention before several people get hurt or worse, die!!!
The ABS light and brake light in my 1999 Dodge Dakota started staying on after startup intermittently. The lights stayed on more often as time went by. Shop couldn't find a problem. Eventually both lights were on all the time. Vehicle started stalling at stop signs and when going around corners. Speedometer wouldn't work at low speeds--came on about the time doors automatically locked (20-25 MPH). Shop replaced speed sensor. Vehicle ran fine for 30 days or less. Same symptoms are back.
1999 Dodge Dakota wiring problem. My 1999 Dodge Dakota has a wiring problem that causes the cruise control to be stuck in the on position and causes the turn signal to freeze while at a long light. The cruise control is a dangerous situation since it can not be disengaged with the brake, you must manually turn the system off. Superior Dodge in nicholasville, ky has already charged me for 2 hours labor to try and find the problem but have had no luck finding the shorted out wire yet.
Driving down the road, everything shuts off; motor, brakes, steering. Odometer reads "no bus" and non of the gauges in the cluster work. After resetting the computer by unpluggin the negative terminal and vehicle cools, it starts up. This is a huge concern as I have read for many owners of similar models and years. It concerns me because I drive congested highways to and from work. This is a big safety issue and needs to be addressed and accounted for.
An authorized Chrysler legal investigator is to inspect truck today 9/2/99. An engine compartment fire was the result of this incedent. The fire was extinguished by a passing motorist. The was originally reported to NHTSA on 8/30/99 via telephone.
While driving at 60 MPH and without prior warning vehicle shut down. Consumer had no brakes/ no power steering. Consumer pulled over to the side of the road, and saw black smoke coming from under the hood.
Electrical complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Dodge Dakota, 4% of the model year's 641 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Dakota electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Dodge Dakota, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Dakota electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.