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 2001 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The consumer's vehicle rear ended an oil tanker while driving at 45 MPH. Upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed. The driver sustained knee injuries, and the passenger sustained a hair line fracture to left foot, angle, and ribs. She also suffered from back pains. This was the second collision where the air bags didn't deploy. The consumer's husband applied the brakes, but the vehicle failed to slow down. The brakes felt like they were slipping.
Computer control of headlights, interior and dash lighting, and possibly the ABS system and the intermittent wiper control are affected. Without warning these systems either failed or became erratic. Vehicle exhibits these malfunctions both stationary and in motion, and at all speeds. It is apparently not an uncommon issue, as per information available on the internet. The (temporary?) fix is to disconnect the battery for 15+ minutes, possible cause: the computer connectors.
When braking any speed, the rear driver side tire locked up. This caused the consumer to rear end a vehicle. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determine. Please provide more information. The first incident the consumer pulled into the driveway and hit own vehicle.
Line to rear brakes failed resulting in complete lose of rear brakes. Mechanic believes failure due to road salt corrosion. Mechanic reported he had seen same problem with another 2001 Dodge truck. Vehicle presently at sigourney, iowa Dodge dealer being repaired.
I have taken my vehicle several repair places (brake specialists) including 2 dealerships (multiple times). They tell me my rotors are warped, or that they can find nothing wrong!!! Starting at around 20,000 miles I started getting hard vibrations in the front end, replaced rotors and pads, fixed problem. Then, 5,000 miles later it started again, had rotors turned and replaced pads, fixed problem. 5,000 miles later it happens again, I decide to deal with it for a little while. 2,000 miles of driving with warped rotors, and right front caliper locks up, nearly causing a fire!!. Replaced both calipers, rotors and pads, problem fixed again. Problem recurs roughly every 5,000 miles. I drive very carefully to ensure that I am not causing any undue stress on the brake components. …
I purchased the vehicle used with 39K miles I had it for a month and noticed vibrations when braking from 50 - 40 MPH. I figured the brake rotors were warped. After about a year of this I took the rotors off and into a parts store to have them checked, they were warped and too thin to turn (lathe). I bought new rotors and pads, cleaned and greased the caliper slide pins and reassembled the brakes. After this the braking vibration went away. Recently I was driving in heavy traffic and once I got to my exit I noticed smoke from the left front of the vehicle, also the brake pedal felt hard. I pulled over to find that the front brakes were smoking. I jacked up the front of the vehicle (wheels off the ground) and found that neither wheel/tire could be turned by hand. After the vehicle sat for approximately 5 hours to cool down the wheels could then be turned. …
Driving within the city limits of fort collins colorado and stopping for a traffic light the front brakes on my 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup truck locked up and would not release until the vehicle was allowed to sit for several minutes. I had the vehicle towed to a repair facility, where I was informed that the front left wheel bearing, both rotors and pads needed to be replaced due to excessive heat and wear. After the repairs were completed I proceeded to drive the vehicle for approximately 15 miles when the brakes again locked up after coming to a stop at a stop sign and began to smoke from excessive heat build up on the left front rotor. The vehicle was towed back to the repair facility where left front caliper was replaced and the vehicle was test driven, at which time the right front brake locked up in the same manner as the left front had. …
My 2001 Dodge Dakota 4x4 4w antilock brakes don't provide adequate braking. Vehicle does not brake adequately during "panic" stopping. The antilock feature releases the brakes long before it should. ABS engages but allows too much "free-wheeling" which allows vehicle too much travel. I have several close calls. The last time this has caused a rear end crash in my truck and both air bags deployed and cost 11,000.00. Replacing the air bags cost 8,500.00. I have taken the truck to 3 local dealers and they said the ABS is working as designed. The last dealer I took it to I talked to the tech. He said it is a bad design. He also said the master cylinder vacuum chamber is to small. This is very dangerous and all 2001 and newer trucks should be recalled. I have had antilock brakes on several of my previous vehicles but this truck has the worst brakes ever. …
Brake complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 130 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Dodge Dakota, 19% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (54 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Dakota brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Dodge Dakota, though it has 7 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 2001 Dodge Dakota brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 8 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.