Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was slowing down to turn into my driveway and the other vehicle was speeding and took a curve to fast and crossed the center line and hit head on. The driver side air bag did not deploy properly and the passenger side airbag was busted when it was deployed. The steering wheel inner componets came out with the airbag which did not inflate and caused injury to my chest area. The passenger side airbag deployed but was busted and caused my daughter to get a broken arm. I believe this was a default in the airbag system in my truck. My two youngest children were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, steam appeared from the vents. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the heating coil spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 118,795. Updated 02/10/16;updated 04/30/18
While driving car, turn signals stopped working, all fuses and relays and new turn signal have been replaced, and turn signals still not working, since this happened it still has not been working. Also at idle, car revs up to 2000 RPM, and drops back to normal idle, this problem happens at any speed or at idle. Car was tuned up, and no codes found. But still revs up at times.
The truck was being driven at approx 25 mi per hour. There was a loud thump. Smoke began to pour out of the hood. I pulled over. Flames were visible underneath. The hood blew open and flames poured out. In less than 4 minutes the truck was totaled.
Heater core in Dodge dakotas. The heater core in Dodge dakotas seems to be a really big issue with thousands of people complaining about the defective part. With a bad heater core, anti-freeze is expelled through the ac vents as a steam which is inhaled by the drivers and passengers. Inhaling antifreeze can have many results: antifreeze fumes can cause eye irritation and upper-respiratory irritation. Additionally, inhaled fumes, particularly if from a mist, can cause breathing difficulties, headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, irregular eye movements, nausea and vomiting. Material safety data sheets show that repeated inhalation of antifreeze fumes May affect the central nervous system. Coma May occur if the inhaled antifreeze fumes were in mist form. Dodge really needs to make a recall on these faulty heater cores. …
After following all manufacturer suggested servicing and oil changes, my husbands '00 Dodge Dakota started making rattling noises in the engine. The vehicle has never been off road and has been very well taken care of. So we took it to the dealer for a diagnostic and repair. Apparently the engine needs to be replaced! It only has 60,000 miles on it! I am baffled that this could even happen as most of today's engines last roughly 150,000 to 200,000 miles! None of the repairs fall under the warranty and the lemon law time period has lapsed. We are furious about this! I will write every possible source and enter complaints. We would be thrilled if others would like to join us in a class action law suit. I cannot believe that Dodge does not stand behind their product. But then from what I have read, I am finding their product is not worthy of being stood behind. What a rip off!
There has been a failure of the oil pump in my 2000 Dodge Dakota sle with the 3.8 liter engine.... 60K miles, out of warranty...!! 60000 miles !! The dealer service dept claims that it was due to sludge build up of the pick up tube of the oil pump. I changed the oil often and use a good quality synthetic oil... No way "sludge" could be built up due to the oil. I have seen other instances of this engine having been known to make sludge on the internet... Great...!! In a related matter, I had the oil filler tube replaced about two years ago as it was sludge up... The service fellow replaced a baffle and cap on the filler tube.. There was a considerable amount of sludge build up on the inside of the tube assembly. Are the two related..? I would like for Dodge to pay for the oil pump replacement if they knew before hand that this engine indeed makes sludge.
Have a Dodge Dakota-it had a leaky head gasket; when brought in for repairs Chrysler warranty will not cover because they say there is sludge in engine due to lack of oil changes; I have changed oil and I don't see how a lack of oil changes would cause a leaky head gasket anyway. Paid extra for extended warranty; Chrysler people very rude. I bought this truck used and have had it for 2 years, 30000 miles. Had engine oil tested and anti freeze was in the oil, explained this to warranty people and they still refuse. I called them twice and they told me not to call again. I want my money back for the extended warranty and I want Chrysler to know that they have rotten products and I will never own another one.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab. The contact stated that the vehicle stalls without warning. The vehicle has no power steering or brakes when the failure occurred. The contact also stated that the vehicle does not sputter or hesitate prior to stalling and when the security warning light is flashing, he is not able to start the vehicle. The contact has to play with the remote to get the light to turn off, and stated that all of the gauges on the instrument panel stopped working when the failure occurred. The vehicle had not been inspected. The VIN was not available and the failure mileage was 78,000. The current mileage was 78,900.
Timing cover housing that also houses water pump and thermostat, has poor casting quality where coolant enters housing from lower radiator hose resulting in erosion of material and ultimately leaks out radiator fluid. After speaking with Chrysler corporate, they are not willing to furnish pars for repair or labor to complete repairs. Even with having information that an average of 24 parts per week across U.S. Are being ordered and replaced they are not willing to act upon this problem. I feel that I should not be responsible for repairs that need to be made due to poor product quality for engine components that are essentially non-consumable.
Engine complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Dodge Dakota, 7% of the model year's 806 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Dakota engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Dodge Dakota, though it has 5 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 2000 Dodge Dakota engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 6 injuries to engine & cooling 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.