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2001 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2001 Dodge Dakota has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Central timer module lighting, wiper and door lock faults.” 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 2001 Dodge Dakota.

Reported to NHTSA

Central timer module lighting, wiper and door lock faults

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

25 NHTSA complaints · 2005-05 → 2019-05

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOME AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11014000
“CONTROL TIMER MODULE DOOR LOCK ON AND OFF ALL BY ITSELF, WIPERS TURN ON AND OFF ECT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10967451
“PROBLEM STARTED WITH HORN INTERMITTENTLY BEEPING WHILE DRIVING, THEN OVER A FEW WEEKS PROGRESSED TO HORN BEEPING ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY, DRIVING LIGHTS FLASHING, AND DOOR LOCKS ACTUATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10157482

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front brake caliper drag and rotor warping

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

16 NHTSA complaints · 2005-05 → 2011-09

“2001 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD FRONT BRAKES DRAG/LOCK UP. HAS HAPPENED TWICE, BOTH TIMES THE CALIPERS/ROTORS GOT EXTREMELY HOT AND SMOKED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10422632
“FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP OR DRAG ON 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. EXTENSIVE RESEARCH IN THE INTERNET REVEALS NUMEROUS IDENTICAL PROBLEMS 2000-2005 DODGE DAKOTA AND DURANGO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10348458
“AT 32,000 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. CORRECTED BY 'TURNING' ROTORS (RESURFACING)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10153505

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front upper and lower ball joint wear and separation

SUSPENSION

20 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2021-12

“BALL JOINT PROBLEM ON 4X2 DODGE DAKOTA. POPPING GRATING SOUND AND LACK OF CONTROL IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10209684
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARM SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10400620
“THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE AND THE WHEELS COULD ACTUALLY FALL OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10119380

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering intermediate shaft and tie rod failure

STEERING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2006-06 → 2011-08

“STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS ALOT OF PLAY GETS WORSE ON HIGHER SPEEDS FOUND TO BE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE SHAFT SHOULD BE A RECALL VERY DANGEROUS CAN CAUSE LOSE OF CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10319555
“INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THE STEERING COLUMN NEAREST THE STEERING BOX HAS UNIVERSAL JOINT THAT FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10260388
“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE TIE RODS SEPARATED. THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10159850

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transfer case and 4WD engagement faults

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2014-01

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRUCK TRANSFER CONTROL MODULE INDEPENDENTLY SWITCHED FROM TWO-WHEEL DRIVE TO FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE, CAUSING THE TIRES TO SEIZE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10554015
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10489495
“THE ELECTRIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE INTO GEAR WHEN THE CONTACT MOVED THE TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR SWITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10220913

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Clockspring failure with air bag light, horn, cruise

AIR BAGS

19 NHTSA complaints · 2005-09 → 2013-06

“AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY OR STAYS ON. HORN WORKS ONLY SOMETIMES. DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW CLOCKSPRING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10242035
“CLOCKSPRING IN STEERING COLUMN. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON, THE CRUISE CONTROL, HORN AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10512127
“THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WERE THE FIRST ITEMS TO QUIT WORKING AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10147354

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear brake line corrosion and failure

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-01 → 2018-06

“LINE TO REAR BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSE OF REAR BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10734908
“REAR BRAKE LINE BELOW DRIVERS SIDE BLEW OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10474519
“APPLIED SERVICE BRAKE TO AVOID ANIMAL ON HIGHWAY AND REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10442132

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Shift lever gear selection and park failure

POWER TRAIN

9 NHTSA complaints · 2008-01 → 2023-08

“NO CRASH, NO INJURIES. 2001 DODGE DAKOTA CREW CAB, COLUMN SHIFTER SHIFTS OUT OF PARK WITH OUT PRESSING BRAKE WHILE THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10369604
“POWER TRAIN, MANY TIMES WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS SHIFTED INTO A GEAR, IT IS NOT ACTUALLY IN THE GEAR SELECTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10214203
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11540409

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)

297 crashes 1990–2024

How the 297 occupant deaths break down

239

driver deaths

58

passenger deaths

297

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2000 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.

44

complaints mentioning a crash

11

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 2001 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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