Most common 2001 Dodge Dakota problems
Share of the 678 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Dakota complaints by model year
Best Dakota years: 2009, 2010, 2011. Years to avoid: 2000, 2001, 2002, 1999, 1998. Compare all years →
2001 Dodge Dakota recalls (7)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system May become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "park" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "lock" position).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension upper ball joints. This safety improvement campaign began on December 21, 2004. Owners can contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Equipment › Other › Labels
On certain minivans and 4x2 pickup trucks, the vehicle certification label May have gross axle weight ratings (gawr) that exceed the maximum tire load capacity as defined in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Remedy: Owners will be provided with vehicle certification label overlays containing corrected information relative to vehicle gawr and tire size. Owner notification began March 1, 2004.
Electrical system › Wiring
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions, the headlamp and dash wiring harness May be chafed by the actuation of the clutch pedal. This could result in abnormal operation of the wipers, turn signals, horn or lighting systems.
Remedy: Dealers will reroute the wire harness and repair the harness if necessary. Owner notification began November 3, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks. The front outboard lower seat belt anchor bolts May not be tightened correctly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver and passenger side lower seat belt anchor bolts and tighten to specification. Owner notification began July 19, 2001.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Vehicle description: light duty trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The electric shift transfer case May not fully engage into gear when the operator moves the transfer case selector switch.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the transfer case control module. Owner notification began April 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…
Show 1 more recall
Child seat
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2001 Dodge Dakota:
Upper ball joint separation
Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint retention capacity (NHTSA recall no.
Front safety belt anchorage
Allege that the front safety belt anchor bolts disengage from their mounting points or are found to be loose.
What 2001 Dodge Dakota owners say
Suspension all 236 →
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a wobble coming from the front passenger's side tire. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ball joints needed to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.
While driving at a low speed, the inner tie rod end came out of the socket and the front driver side tire turned to the left. This resulted in vehicle crashing into a concrete phylum. The inner tie rod , front lower ball joint, fender, bumper, blinker and rim needed to be replaced. Also when making a sharp right turn driver's side inside rim was rubbing against something underneath the vehicle. Dealership was not willing to replace any component until they were able to duplicate the failure.
Brakes all 130 →
I was driving at approximately 25mph, when I tapped brakes suddenly,. The brake pedal dropped to the floor and I had to use parking brake to stop. After pumping brake pedal, the brakes began to work again. I looked for signs of broken brake lines and/or fluid and all looked well. I have heard other reports identical to mine and others pertaining to 2wd models where the brakes lock up at higher speeds instead of not working. Fortunately, I was driving slow and was on a residential road with little activity. If I had to stop suddenly for a car, kid or pet. I would have hit them.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 60 MPH, there was a pulling sensation and an odor was present when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact immediately pulled to the side of the road and observed that the wheels were excessively hot. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions. The technician stated that the failure was related to the calipers locking up, which damaged the rotors. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 59,776 and current mileage was 59,876.
Transmission & drivetrain all 93 →
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the catalytic converter replaced, the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact had to have the vehicle towed to the residence on nine separate occasions. The vehicle was also towed to a dealer, where the PCM was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM). The contact believed that a defect with the SKIM had caused the sudden stall with the security light flashing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shifted out of gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park(P) but rolled unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 234,000.
2001 Dodge Dakota engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 14 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 15 / 13 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Dodge Dakota a good car?
Based on 678 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Dakota rates avoid: 3.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Dakota at the same age. It is one of the Dakota years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Dodge Dakota?
The suspension — 236 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › control arm › upper ball joint. Next are the brakes (130) and transmission & drivetrain (93).
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Dakota have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2001 Dodge Dakota, the most recent from December 4, 2007 (column shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Dakota?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2010 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 2001, 2002, 1999 and 1998. See the full Dodge Dakota years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Dakota problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 49% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.