The Lemon Index
20012nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: brakes
445 owner complaints, first 3 years 12–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Toyota Tacoma 432000 Toyota Tundra 1882000 GMC Sierra 100
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2000 Dodge Dakota
- Ball joint / control arm245 complaintsmostly at 37,000–65,000 miles (60,000–105,000 km)
- Engine stalling20 complaintsmostly at 38,000–60,000 miles (61,000–97,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion17 complaintsmostly at 30,000–66,000 miles (48,000–107,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 805 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Dodge Dakota (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 50,000 miles (32,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 104 complaints, of all 445 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 09E012000 (lights) and 08E064000 (suspension) done? It has 12 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Dodge sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Subject pertains to intermittent harsh engagement into reverse gear on certain re model…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 445 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 50K miles (32K to 80K km) on the car (104 of all 445 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Upper left ball joints were detached and the upper right ball joints were loose. Consumer had both sides replaced.
2000 Dodge Dakota owner · NHTSA complaint 10051767
More owner reports
Loss of control when braking at moderate speeds, see your consumer complaint database.
NHTSA complaint 762659
Vehicle shudders on braking (violently on hard braking), dealer says both rotors needed to be replaced although the original brake pads are still in good condition.
NHTSA complaint 755669
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 13.3M views · 1997–2004 Dodge Dakota
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors1.6M views
Idle Air Control Valve (IAC) 2002 Dodge Dakota 3.9 Stallingmreinsmith · 271K views · 14 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical879K views
Dodge Dakota/Durango Radio/Stereo/Deck Install 2001-2004Tony The Truck Guy · 333K views · 6 videos - Steering & suspension809K views
2000 Dodge Dakota Upper Control Arm replacement tipsIt's Not That Easy by Scott S · 118K views · 13 videos - Cooling system654K views
2000 Dodge Dakota Sport Water Pump Replacement V6 3.9LAverage Guys Garage · 181K views · 7 videos
Show 3 more
- Brakes & ABS349K views
How To Replace Rear Brake Shoes 1997-2004 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 100K views · 7 videos - Death wobble & steering212K views
Dodge Dakota - Power Steering Pump Replacement (2nd Gen)Rolando Robles · 67K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank208K views
Dodge Dakota Fuel Pump Replacement (2001-2004)Tony The Truck Guy · 139K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Dodge Dakota Truck 2nd Generation 1997-20041A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 903K views
2001 Dodge Dakota, Battery ProblemsPinpoint Automotive Repair · 33K views
2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 - 5.9 Cummins Turbo Diesel(Walk Around and Start Up)Char · 335K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2000 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject pertains to intermittent harsh engagement into reverse gear on certain re model…
- Harsh 2-3, 4-5, and 5-4 upshifts causing a powertrain clunk or shudder
- Radiator If vehicle comes in for transmission fluid leaking from trans-oil cooler fittings on…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 12
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
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.
- Suspension · recall issued 2008
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO.
Show all 12 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Engine · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE…
- Airbags · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS.
- Brakes · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2000 4.7L engines only
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
- Brakes · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH 2.5L ENGINES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedUpper ball joint separation2003–2005
- ClosedFront safety belt anchorage2001
- ClosedFront safety belt anchorage disengagemen2000–2001
- ClosedStop lamp switch2000–2001
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$5,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
Every Dodge Dakota year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (1997–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 13 Dodge Dakota years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-dakota/?y=2000" title="Dodge Dakota reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-dakota/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Dodge Dakota reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Dodge Dakota reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 227; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Dakota year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2000 Dodge Dakota problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (56%), suspension (24%) and transmission & drivetrain (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Dakota have?
12 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Dodge Dakota get?
12 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Dakota problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 50,000 miles (32,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 104 complaints, of all 445 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2000 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2000 Dodge Dakota have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Dodge Dakota cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Dodge Dakota have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Dakota year is better than the 2000?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2006 drew the fewest (about average).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works