Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Upon starting my 1999 Dodge Dakota, it immediately went full throttle and lurched forward, brakes would not hold the vehicle. Was placed in reverse and vehicle immediately went backwards in full throttle. Still unable to stop the vehicle with brakes, hit an oak tree which totally wrecked the truck. Note: the transmission was still in "park" when truck went forward. Things happened so fast that my wife, who was driving the truck, did not think to turn off the ignition.
Vehicle stalls intermittently in a unpredictable pattern. Vehicle restarts after stalling 7 out of 10 times. When it wont restart immediately after stalling it will take upwards of 10 minutes to achieve engine operation. I've replaced the crank position sensor, as well the cam position sensor. Vehicle continues to stall intermittently.
My 99 Dakota began howling and whinning in the rear end. I had the rear end and gear lube inspected. Gear lube was full, and gears and bearings showed no sign of wear. About 1 week later while driving on the highway, my ABS and e-brake light came on. Brake fluid was nearly empty. Mechanic found front and rear brake liners worn, and repaired as necassary. This did not fix any light or noise problems. As soon as the ABS light came on, my speedometer would not function under 40 MPH, and engine would stall at stops. Mechanic removed differential, and pinion gear. Pinion bearing was shredded badly, causing the howling. All bearings in rear end were replaced, and rear end noise was cured. The bearing shavings May have damaged the rear ABS speed sensor. I have heard of the same symptoms for the rear end noise from other Dakota owners both on line and in person. …
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 had bought my 1999 Dodge Dakota in 2001, less than 1 year of purchasing this truck, I lost oil pressure, returned the truck to dealer where they tried to replace my motor with a motor that had more miles, this did not happen. Then another year later, gears in my transmission were spent where I had to pay a few thousand dollars to have it repaired. Truck has been sitting for a year, cause of engine knocking again, with no oil pressure, also replaced the oil pump, still no pressure. New converter was put in, still good!! Brakes and rotors are another big complaint of mine, when I have to constantly replace these parts, like every 6 months, can you tell me why? I used to love Dodge, but this truck has been a 1 big headache, even parked, cause I know it is going to be costly to repair it again.
I got the '99 Dakota about 7 months ago and liked it drove pretty good even through the week when it was all single digits no problem. Then once it started to warm up into the mid to high teens and up to then 60s and 70 it would shake at least twice a week. It always seemed to start at about 45 then once the engine warmed up it would stop. That stopped now that its in the 80s and 90s. Now I barely have power steering and looking at it, it seems to be the intermediate steering column shaft which looking at all the complaints I'm surprised you haven't looked into it for it to be recalled by now along with the tie rods, ball joints, etc. These things seem to be falling apart at the front. I just hope nobody dies before this is fixed.
Consumer was traveling about 25mph on a residential street. She was bending down to pick up something from the floor while vehicle was still traveling and hit a brick fence. Upon impact, front airbags didn't go off. When the consumer was traveling about 25-30 MPH on residential street. The truck in front of consumer lost object from back of his truck. Consumer swerved to miss and hit a parked car. Upon impact airbags didn't go off. Consumer stated that A/C was inoperative, transmission was not shifting correctly, engine leaks oil from oil pan area, thermostat leaks, the intake manifold gasket was leaking.
Dt: the consumer was driving at 35 MPH on the street when the transfer case busted. It fall out of the bottom of the vehicle. Consumer had to manually push the vehicle to the side of the street. The engine was still running, but the vehicle was nonmovable. There were no events leading up to this problem. There were no other problems with the vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership and they told him they had never seen a problem like like this before. They said the whole housing busted and fell down, and they would have to replace the whole housing.
Transmission is slipping. The truck has 47,078 miles. Too it in and they told me that I need an entire new transmission or they could repair it for $100.00 less then a factory rebuilt transmission. I don't feel as though a transmission should be slipping with only 47,000 miles on it. The service man told me that it was the front clutch piston was what was the problem. Have you had any other complaints? I feel as though this is unacceptable due to the low miles. I feel as though it is a factory defect.
Dealer replaced twice both upper and lower ball joints, also, the transfer case was replaced. Dealer notified. Please provide further information. 1999 Dodge Dakota has had the following repairs peformed: replacement of transfer case, upper and lower ball joints, wheel bearings, right hub assembly, right rotor, right axle assembly, and front shocks.
Transmission complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Dodge Dakota, 9% of the model year's 641 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Dakota transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.