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2000 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2000 Dodge Dakota has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rusted brake line failure and fluid loss.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Dodge Dakota.

Reported to NHTSA

Rusted brake line failure and fluid loss

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 NHTSA complaints · 2005-10 → 2026-03

“2000 DODGE DAKOTA SLT. VERY LOW MILEAGE 36,300 EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: DRIVING FAILURE: BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH TO POINT OF FAILURE. FIRST OCCURRENCE IN THIS TRUCK. ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10360182
“BRAKE LINES RUSTED-LOST ALL THE FLUID. THE BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND FABRICATED BY THE REPAIR SHOP. *JS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10608945
“The contact owns a 1998 N/A Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while at the DMV to renew the tags, the contact was unable to register the vehicle because the vehicle was under recall”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11724216

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine oil sludge buildup causing oil pump or engine failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

11 NHTSA complaints · 2005-01 → 2014-08

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10143342
“THE 2000 4 WD DODGE DAKOTA WITH THE 4.7 ENGINE THAT WE OWN AND BOUGHT NEW (LAST TIME...) HAD AN OIL PUMP FAILURE AT 60K MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10144149
“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK. SHE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP (SHE OF COURSE LOST ALL POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING AND BRAKES)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10152239

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power door lock actuator and window regulator failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

13 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2007-03

“THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE FAILED TO WORK. THEY LOCK BUT DO NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 2 TIMES AND HAVE FAILED A THIRD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10184058
“MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED. I ALSO OWN A 2001 CARAVAN WHOSE DRIVERS SIDE REGULATOR BROKE 2 YEARS AGO AND MY 2001 DURANGO HAD BOTH LEFT SIDE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AS WELL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10177028
“AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK ON 2000 DODGE DAKOTA FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION, WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN WITH KEY, KEY FOB OR DOOR HANDLES, INSIDE OR OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10107702

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front upper ball joint failure and recall parts delay

SUSPENSION

62 NHTSA complaints · 2004-11 → 2009-04

“CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL (04V-596000)THAT CAUSED POSSIBLE COLLISION AND DEATH OF PASSENGER. *TS *NM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10154129
“ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2004, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ASSEMBLY OF MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK FELL OFF. MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF A FRIEND'S HOME WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10106584
“WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING ALSO FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10111042

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering shaft, rack-and-pinion, and column failure

STEERING

16 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2015-09

“DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MADE A COMPLETE STOP STARTED TO MAKE RIGHT TURN BUT THE TIRES DID NOT TURN LUCKIELY I STOPPED JUST IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT THE STEERING SHAFT THAT CONNECTS TO THE STEERING COLUM COMPLETLY BROKE OFF THERFORE LEAVING ME WITH NO CONTROL OF MY TRUCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10120725
“THE VEHICLE'S STEERING RACK FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE WHILE STEERING. *NM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10111008
“WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10117819

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Premature front brake rotor and caliper wear

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

16 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2014-06

“ROTORS TURNED AND THEN WARPED/WORE SET OF PADS DOWN TO BARE METAL IN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. ROTORS WERE WARPED AT 32,000 (AT TIME OF PURCHASE), 50,000, 63,000, AND 80,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10283956
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND A STRONG BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE EMITTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10470356
“FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIBER, PISTON IS MADE OF A COMPOSITE AND NOT METAL,COMPOSITE CRACKS AND LEAKS. THE PISTON TURNS TO MUSH AND THE BRAKE PAD BECOMES LOOSE. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10102768

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

368 crashes 1990–2024

How the 368 occupant deaths break down

303

driver deaths

65

passenger deaths

368

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1999 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

60

complaints mentioning a crash

14

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Dodge Dakota reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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