NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 678 owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge Dakota. Most complaints involve suspension (235) and service brakes, hydraulic (118). The EPA rates it 13–20 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Dakota model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 199 |
| 1997 | 452 |
| 1998 | 557 |
| 1999 | 688 |
| 2000 | 830 |
| 2001 | 678 |
| 2002 | 689 |
| 2003 | 296 |
| 2004 | 206 |
| 2005 | 470 |
| 2006 | 285 |
| 2007 | 145 |
| 2008 | 91 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 35 |
| 2011 | 44 |
“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.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE MODULE WAS DEFECTIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | $4,950 | 684 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | $4,950 | 684 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
14 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 678 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (235), service brakes, hydraulic (118), power train (93). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Dodge Dakota at 13–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (11 versions rated).