Problems · by component

2001 Dodge Dakota power train problems

93 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge Dakota cite power train, 14% of all 678 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
93
14% of all complaints
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2025Power train, Electrical systemODI 11680215
“The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. 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. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 234,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2023Power trainODI 11540409
“FRONT CV AXLE(HUB AND BEARING) FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE INTERMEDIATE AXLE ALSO NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO SEVERE RUST FROM CV AXLE. THE UPPER UPPER BALL JOINT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUETE VISABILITY AT NIGHT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2019Power train, Exterior lightingODI 11210011
“KEY AND SHIFT LEVER LOCKOUT MALFUNCTIONING: IN A RUNNING VEHICLE IN "DRIVE", THE KEY CAN BE TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION, TURNING THE MOTOR OFF, LEAVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN "DRIVE" AND THE KEY REMOVED WITHOUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER BEING PLACED IN "PARK". IF LEFT IN "DRIVE" OR "REVERSE", THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL AFTER THE KEY IS OUT, THE BRAKE IS RELEASED AND MOTOR OFF. THE SHIFT LEVER MOVES FREELY BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN ALL POSITIONS WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER FOLLOWING THE SEQUENCE MENTIONED ABOVE. IN ORDER FOR THE SHIFT LEVER LOCKOUT TO WORK PROPERLY AGAIN, THE KEY MUST BE REMOVED ONLY WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS IN "PARK".”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2016Power trainODI 10882203
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT LOOSENED AND THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REMOVED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V474000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2015Power trainODI 10779402
“I WAS DRIVING IN A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD AND I HEAR A VERY DISTINCT TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, AFTER I LOOKED AT THE AREA I NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS AND HEAT SHIELD WERE BROKE . THIS CAN CAUSE EXHAUST FUMES TO COME INTO THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2015Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 10743528

Showing 6 of 93 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Power train: column shift

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

Power trainReported Dec 4, 2007NHTSA 07V555000

Power train: column shift

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE ELECTRIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE INTO GEAR WHEN THE OPERATOR MOVES THE TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR SWITCH.

Power trainReported Mar 7, 2001NHTSA 01V077000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.