Here Are The Dodge Dakota Years To Avoid

In the Chrysler Ram division of Dodge, the Dakota was a mid-size pickup truck. Since its introduction in 1987, it has been in production until its discontinuation in 2011. Dodge Dakota is an excellent midsize pickup that you might consider if you’re looking for one. You might wonder if the Dodge Dakota is worth avoiding based on its year of production.

Here Are The Dodge Dakota Years To Avoid

Please let us know if you need assistance! Continue reading to learn which Dodge Dakota years are recommended for use on the road and which ones should be avoided. When it comes to the best models, you want those that will save you money and keep you safe at the same time. It is always better to know more before you buy a car, so that you can make a more informed decision.


Dodge Dakota Years to Avoid

When it comes to buying a used Dodge Dakota, there are a few years to avoid if you want to maximize your investment.

First Generation Dodge Dakota: Years to Avoid

This is a list of first-generation Dodge Dakota pickup trucks we don’t recommend:

First Generation Dodge Dakota: Years to Avoid
  • 1987 Dodge Dakota: Customer complaints include engine and starting issues, as well as rough running. In total, twenty complaints were registered, and two recalls were issued by NHTSA. After releasing the accelerator, the throttle remained partially open, causing the first recall. It was the emergency parking brakes that were the subject of the second recall. As one of the worst pickup trucks, it was a poor handler, poorly built, and had poor performance.
  • 1989 Dodge Dakota: The Dakota 1989 has been the subject of 89 complaints. Three recalls have been issued by NHTSA. As a result of the steering gear separating from the frame, the vehicle lost control on two occasions. Moreover, an oil leak in the engine compartment caused a recall due to a potential fire hazard.
  • 1992 Dodge Dakota: There were two recalls and 292 complaints reported to the NHTSA. The fuel system was plagued with problems. There were also some reports of paint and engine problems among owners.
  • 1994 Dodge Dakota: Four recalls were reported regarding the amber side reflex reflectors, the steering wheel, the suspension, and the fuel tank. In addition to complaints about the engine, paint, body, and transmission, owners also reported problems with the paint.
  • 1995 Dodge Dakota: Approximately 300 complaints were recorded, mostly about seat belts, airbags, brakes, transmissions, and engine malfunctions. There was one recall issued due to amber side reflex reflectors.
  • 1996 Dodge Dakota: More than 250 complaints were registered and two recalls were issued. A recall was issued due to problems with amber reflex reflectors and the vacuum system. A number of complaints were made regarding brakes, seat belts, airbags, and transmissions.

Second Generation Dodge Dakota: Years to Avoid

Here are the Dodge Dakotas of the second generation, one of the worst generations of this pickup truck:

Second Generation Dodge Dakota: Years to Avoid
  • 1997 Dodge Dakota: There have been more than 600 complaints about the truck, and there have been 12 recalls, mostly about the engine and suspension. Among the most notable recalls are electrical issues caused by clock spring ribbon material, a punctured brake hose that results in brake failure, and malfunctions with airbags.
  • 1998 Dodge Dakota: Drivers complain about the suspension, the engine, the brakes, the steering, and the transmission. A clockspring that caused electrical problems and a punctured rear brake hose were two of the issues reported by owners, leading the NHTSA to issue 12 recalls.
  • 1999 Dodge Dakota: There have been over 1000 complaints. The main issues were electrical problems, suspension issues, engine problems, steering issues, and brake issues. There have been ten recalls related to problems like defective clocksprings, retractor malfunctions, and punctured rear brake lines.
  • 2000 Dodge Dakota: There are more than 1000 complaints and twelve NHTSA recalls for the 2000 Dakota. Among the major issues are brakes, suspension, engine, and transmission. In addition to the upper ball joint recall, there is a recall regarding the clockspring material defect and the rear brake hose puncture.
  • 2001 Dodge Dakota: There were 14 recalls and more than 800 complaints related to this model from the NHTSA. There were many complaints related to suspensions, brakes, and engines. Among the major recalls were park shift interlock, which causes the vehicle to roll away, excess wear in the upper ball joint, and issues with the anchor bolts for the seat belts and child safety seats.
  • 2002 Dodge Dakota: An estimated 800 problems were reported by owners, leading to 12 recalls by the NHTSA. In addition to the park shift interlock, ball joint wear, and windshield wiper module motor, there were major recalls. Complaints were mainly related to brakes, suspension, steering, transmission, and electrical problems.

Third Generation Dodge Dakota: Years to Avoid

Third Generation Dodge Dakota: Years to Avoid
  • 2005 Dodge Dakota: Over 700 complaints were received from owners, and the NHTSA recalled them seven times. Engine problems, brake problems, interior accessories, seat belt problems, airbag malfunctions, drivetrain problems, and suspension problems were common. Recalls were triggered by ruptured driver-side airbags, ruptured passenger airbag inflators, and improperly installed automatic transmission cup plugs, which resulted in the vehicle moving and crashing without warning.
  • 2006 Dodge Dakota: Over 400 complaints were filed with the NHTSA, and six recalls were issued. There are multiple problems associated with this model, such as steering, seat belts and airbags, electrical, brakes, drive train, suspension, and engine. The airbag issues were found both in the front seat of the passenger and the front seat of the driver.

Which Are the Dodge Dakota Years to Avoid?

It is best to avoid Dodge Dakota models from 1987, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 if you are interested in purchasing one. For the first and second generations (1987-1996), pickups can be avoided for the longest periods.

It is not uncommon for first-generation models to be collector’s items. It is important to note, however, that they do come at a price. Particularly with automatic transmissions, they have transmission failure issues. A shake and rattle can be felt when driving due to this condition. You should keep in mind that if you are considering buying a used Dodge Dakota, you will have to pay extra maintenance for the first generation.

Models from the second generation tend to be less reliable than those from the first generation. Despite their decent condition, Dakotas have wacky performances. As well as performing poorly in NHTSA crash tests, this generation also performed poorly in other tests.


Are Dodge Dakotas Reliable?

It depends on which Dakota you choose whether it is reliable. In contrast to the third-generation Dodge Dakota, the first and second-generation Dodge Dakotas are less reliable. Some Dakota problems include engine problems and brake problems, such as brake cylinder lockup and brake lockup, which cause the brakes to smoke. In addition, the paint and body are in poor condition.


Does Dodge still make Dakota?

As of 2011, Chrysler no longer produced the Dodge Dakota. Despite the lack of clarity regarding Dakota’s discontinuation, a possible theory is the drop in sales between 2000 and 2010. Meanwhile, Ram 1500s and 2500s were selling more than their predecessors. A grand comeback is also rumored for Dakota! It will be interesting to see what happens.


What Makes These Years Worth Avoiding?

These years are worth avoiding because of a few factors. Customer complaints found the following issues most frequently among the cars listed above, and they may pose a danger or require expensive repairs.

What Makes These Years Worth Avoiding?

In accordance with carcomplaints.com, there are a number of reasons to avoid these years:

  • Engine problems
  • Brake issues
  • Body/paint troubles 

The Dodge Dakota received the most complaints among its competitors.

As we examine each of these problems in greater detail, we’ll determine the most pressing problems within each category, as well as give you an overview of what the Dodge Dakota experienced with each of them. The Dodge Dakota years to avoid are for a number of good reasons.

Engine Problems

In Dodge Dakota models, engine trouble was one of the most prominent problems. Many complaints have been filed over the years regarding the 2000 model and the 2006 model.

The following are specific engine problems that have been encountered:

  • Due to oil sludge, oil pressure is lost
  • A fluctuating idle state 
  • An occurrence of a recurring misfire

It is only a small sample of the many problems that the Dodge Dakota encountered when it came to its engine.

It is imperative that you avoid these models if you do not wish to spend hundreds on engine repairs. Dodge Dakota models with faulty engines can add lots of hassle to your life that can easily be avoided by buying another model.

Brake Issues

Some Dodge Dakota models experience brake issues as a secondary problem. Of all the Dodge Dakotas, the 2002 model is by far the worst. Brakes are the biggest problem with this model. It has been reported that almost 69 people have experienced brake problems.

Here are a few examples of brake problems:

  • Locking of the brake cylinders
  • Hot brakes smoking
  • Locked brakes

Drivers didn’t find any of these appealing back then, and they don’t find any appeal today. You may want to avoid the 2002 and 2005 models if you don’t wish to deal with the brakes.

Dodge Dakota pickup trucks are known for their great braking systems, so you expect them to be reliable. Make sure you choose a model year that has excellent stopping power. Your money will be saved and you will be safe on the road if you make this choice.

Body/Paint Troubles

Vehicles with the 2000 model were often complained about for their body and paint. The roof paint fading off fast, the clear coat oxidizing on the roof, even the wheel wells rusting have all been reported by customers.

The 2000 Dodge Dakota is not the best choice if you want your car to last for a long time. Almost thirty complaints have been filed about the Dodge Dakota’s paint and body this year, illustrating that this is a Dodge Dakota year to avoid.


Dodge Dakota Reliability by Year

The Dodge Dakota is generally reliable, just like the Dodge Ram. Nonetheless, there are some Dakota years that can be problematic, and we recommend that you avoid them. From different trusted sources, we have compiled ratings for the Dodge Dakota’s second and third generations. Listed here are no first-generation Dodge Dakotas, as they should be avoided.

Based on trusted sources, Dodge Dakota is rated as reliable as follows:

Dodge Dakota YearsConsumer Reviews (Out of 5)Kelley Blue Book (Out of 5.00)Edmunds (Out of 5.00)
20004.54.34.3
20014.34.34.4
20024.24.34.3
20034.24.54.5
20044.04.34.6
20054.04.14.2
20063.94.14.0
20074.24.34.0
20084.54.34.3
20094.64.44.3
20104.54.34.3
20114.44.54.6

There are several automotive ranking sources that give low reliability ratings to avoided Dakota years.


Dodge Dakota Problem Counts by Year

As well as understanding the Dodge Dakota’s reliability ratings, it is also important to understand the number of problems it encounters each year.

An information table showing Dodge Dakota problem counts per year is provided below:

Dodge Dakota YearsComplaints Number (NHTSA)Complaints Number (CarComplaints.com)
199995690
2000103841
200170683
2002165*693*
200354295
20046718
2005123*468*
200659*290*
200733142
20081191
2009418
2010233
2011843

Note: * indicates there are some major problems with this model year.

As you can see from the chart above, there is a clear line between the best and worst Dodge Dakota years. To avoid purchasing a highly problematic used Dodge Dakota, you should avoid the * indicated years.


Dodge Dakota Recalls by Year

It is not uncommon for vehicle manufacturers or NHTSA to recall vehicles based on a variety of issues. A high number of recalls are associated with the Dodge Dakota, but most of the recalls are associated with the avoided years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides the following table with Dodge Dakota recall numbers and reasons:

Dodge Dakota YearsRecalls Number (NHTSA)Affected Components
199910Airbags (1), Engine Cooling system (1), Exterior Lighting (4), Service Brakes (2), Seat Belts (1), Suspension (1)
200012Airbags (1), Exterior Lighting (4), Power Train (1), Engine Cooling System (1), Fuel System (1), Brakes (2), Suspension (2)
200114Child Seat (1), Cooling System (1), Electrical System (1), Equipment (1), Fuel System (1), Power Train (2), Seat Belts (1), Suspension (2)
200212Electrical System (1), Cooling System (1), Exterior Lighting (4), Equipment (1), Power Train (1), Fuel System (1), Suspension (2), Visibility (1)
200311Electrical System (1), Exterior Light (5), Cooling System (1), Suspension (2), Fuel System (1), Visibility (1)
20045Visibility (1), Exterior Lighting (3), Suspension (1)
20057Exterior Lighting (1), Seats (1), Air Bags (4), Power Train (1)
20066Electrical System (1), Visibility (1), Airbags (2), Service Brakes (1), Exterior Lighting (1)
20074Power Train (1), Electrical System (1), Air Bags (2)
20082Airbags (2)
20092Fuel System (1), Power Train (1)
20107Airbags (4), Power Train (2), Equipment (1)
20113Airbags (1), Steering (1), Seat Belts (1)

Which Years are Safe to Buy Used?

We’ve already discussed the Dodge Dakota years that you should avoid. How about driving the safest ones? Knowing which Dodge Dakota models are okay and which aren’t is just as important if you’re considering purchasing one used. If you need help with that, we can assist you.

Which Years are Safe to Buy Used?

According to carcomplaints.com, the Dodge Dakota had some of its best years in the following years:

  • 2004
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2011

As far as the Dodge Dakota is concerned, these are some of its best years to date.

The most recent versions are the ones you can count on most, even though this vehicle cannot be bought anymore. It was with these iterations that Dodge finally found their stride after earlier generations’ trial and error. Look for a manual transmission in your Dodge Dakota, since it is the best version of this truck.


Conclusion

There was a Dodge Dakota pickup truck produced almost ten years ago, but production has ceased. Knowing which used versions of this vehicle are worth your money versus those that will cost you tons of money in repairs is vital if you want to buy one. There are extensive problems associated with Dakota models of 2000 and 2002, but not with those of 2010 and 2011.

This information may be helpful to you when it comes time to purchase your next vehicle. You need to take many factors into account when buying a Dodge Dakota that keeps you safe and is also budget-friendly. Your pickup truck buying decision will be easier if you are aware of the options available to you.

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