2001 Dodge Dakota Sport from North America - Comments

- Poor gas mileage

- Sub-standard brake rotors

- Poor idle.

I purchased a 2001 Dodge Dakota Sport. I went with almost all of the bells and whistles so the final price was considerably higher than a base model. I expected a quality vehicle for the price. Yes, it looks good and it has power to spare, but the short comings far exceed the positive.

The first problem was very low gas mileage. In Canada the highway mpg were suppose to be 26. Granted it would be unrealistic to expect this, but I felt it should have been better than 21 mpg. With the price of gas these days and with new technology it should be better. My brother gets only slightly worse mileage with his '92 Dakota!

The second problem is the brake rotors. The front rotors became warped and needed replacing after 30K kilometers. At 60K I can feel them starting to go again. Chrysler claims it's my driving style. I claim they don't know what they are talking about. I do 90% highway driving so I'm not riding the brake. Further, the brake pads, after two years, are only 25% worn. Rotors should never wear out before the pads. Searching the Internet revealed numerous complaints in this area and in all cases Chrysler would do nothing.

Lastly is the idle problem. When the engine is cold it is impossible to get a good idle. The engine will surge and sputter then suddenly jump to full power. This is none too convenient when backing out of a parking spot and suddenly lurching towards the vehicle behind.

These are the "highlights". There are about 20 less major problems with the entire vehicle. Everything from headrests that do nothing to seats that don't move back enough for the proper distance between the driver and the air bag.

I will NEVER buy another Chrysler product after this one. For over 20 years I have stuck to Chrysler/Dodge and now decent service is impossible. I regret the day I even looked at the brochure in the show room.

I agree totally with this artical. I have a 2000 Dakota Sport which has the same problems. My rotors had to be replaced only after 12000 miles. I now have 37000 and need them replaced again. The dealer just shakes his head like I did something wrong.

I bought a 95 Dodge Dakota and the front brakes warped after about 20K miles. Dodge's response was that it was my driving style. Obviously if they would pay a little attention they wouldn't allow themselves to lie like that. That said I had the truck for 6 years and that was the only problem I had. I bought another new one in 2001 and guess what? The rotors are warped at 20K again. I can live with replacing rotors if that's the only problem, but I will not buy another truck from Dodge because of the ridiculously misleading gas mileage sticker. Under the best of circumstances I average 15 miles per gallon.

I have purchased a used 2000 Dakota Sport CC 4x4. It is black with 4.7 magnum engine. When I drove the used truck off the lot after purchase, I was in short order bringing it back to check on a noise. Turns out that both universal joints on main drive shaft were in need of replacing. This only after I brought it back a second time because of same noise.

I suggested that with two worn/damaged universal joints, it stands to reason that damage to the rear differential and the transfer case was possible. They did not believe that this was the case. I was assured that the vehicle was sound after they replaced the universal joints. So despite my view they signed off on the work and away I went.

Within a few weeks I was in again with a howling in the rear differential. Side bearings were bad and they replaced them. Within three weeks, the axle seals were leaking and had contaminated the rear brakes. I took the truck to a different dealership from that point. The new dealer fixes the brakes and cleans things up. No warranty work was done so I had to foot the bill.

Now a year later and as mentioned, I have changed dealerships due to lack of trust. The new dealership looks at the truck today after I bring it in because of howling in rear end again. Could be $1400 for new bearings in the rear end differential. I asked if this should happen on such a frequent basis. I made full disclosure to new dealership regarding previous work being done on the rear end. I am informed that it is hard to say why this happened again. It could be contaminated oil (synthetic) left over from initial bearing work. I am reading on the web, where the side bearings are becoming problematic on these limited slip differentials. I called Chrysler and filed a complaint. I contacted the service manager at original dealership and discussed the scenario with him. He took down my complaint number issued by Chrysler and promised to contact the new dealership's service manager to discover what they find. He promised to contact me this afternoon. I am hopeful of a satisfactory settlement to this dispute. Time will tell.

I owned a 2001 1500slt and was told my performance problems were due to the automatic transmission. Desiring control of gear selection and acceleration, I recently purchased an 2003 Dakota quad with a 5 speed. I am experiencing sluggish acceleration. I can combat this by maintaining rpm higher than 2700, yet I tend to suffer high fuel consumption. I must also reach 2700 rpm on take off as well. That would require slipping the clutch excessively. My dealer explains to me that the fuel is controled or somehow restricted by the speed or rpm's and there are no updated service packs for my truck. I've taken control of my gear selection problem. Can you offer any advise on my other problem?

I have 30000 mile on my 2001 Dakota SLT 5 Speed and have not had many of the problems the most others have. I guess every car company makes factory defects on occasion. I have a problem with two things.

My truck always idles poorly no matter the temperature or weather. I have not found a solution other than just bumping the idle up a bit. It has seemed to help.

The other problem is not with Dodge/Chrysler, its that I can't find a Chilton or Haynes manual on my truck to save my life. If anyone know of another good manual let me know.

Jason W. Alexander

SGT, USA

Company FSNCO.

The dakota Quad cab brake pulsation can be fixed by installing a after market performance rotor such as a crossed drilled or slotted. I found the cross drilled and a set of ceramic brake pads fixed the problem p.s. tork your wheels.

I absolutely love my truck I have a 01 slt quad cab and have had absolutley no problems with it, everyone complains about the gas mileage when other trucks have smaller engines and can barely beat te dodge v8, it has more than enough power and has a fantastic ride I think people forget that this a truck not a luxury car if you wanted the best ride out there you should have went to Cadillac or Lincoln.

2004 July 26.

I have a 2001 Dakota Quad 4x4 V6 3.9 Five speed manual. On cold or damp mornings here in the Toronto, ON, CA area, the engine revs high with the trans not engaging. My non-Dodge mechanic stated a "clutch fan" problem and stated I should check with Dodge for warranty. 3 months ago I had the clutch fan replaced. Two weeks ago I took the truck back to the Dodge dealer for 48K maintenance and commented the clutch fan still a problem. Nothing found; clutch fan okay. Scheduled a transmission check for today. Nothing found. I will leave the truck overnight later this week. Argh! (At the 48K, the dealer told me brakes needed work including rotor replacement. Rotors at 48K??? Pads understood. My old Mazda B2600 would get 80-100K between turns on the rotors. I'm going to get a second opinion on the brakes.) After reading some reviews I wonder now. I like the styling and power on the truck, but I'm becoming concerned.

Tim

Mississauga, Ontario.

I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota and just replaced pads and rotors for the 2nd time at 46,000 miles. The first time was at 20,000. The first time I figured it must be me or "bad luck". This time I looked into it and I'm not alone.

I also experience the issue with the hesitation. I had all the wires and plugs replaced as I thought I must have had a bad one. It helped at first, but soon returned with regularity. At least that's only annoying, the rotors are expensive!

I own a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab and have had numerous problems with this vehicle. I replaced the brake pads at 15,000 miles then once I hit 36,000 miles, I had to replace the air conditioning belt and the whole rack and pinion steering. The vehicle makes a thumping noise when I put it in reverse and the dealership has been unable to duplicate the problem. I purchased the extended warranty. So I haven't had to come out of my pocket for any of this except the brakes. I would not buy another Dodge vehicle.

I own a 2001 Dodge Dakota Sport and I have not had one single problem with it in a year. It idles great in cold weather, the brake rotors are fine and I am very pleased with the excellent service that Dodge and Chrysler offers to me. This pickup has been very reliable to me and has never let me down. My truck was bought used and has about 80,000 miles on it and I haven't had one problem with it. I also have really good gas mileage and I have a cat back dual exhaust system.

I own a dodge dakota sport 2001. At 74,000 miles my bearings broke which caused the wheel to turn in-wards while we were driving it. Dodge says this is not of their concern and is bad luck for me. It cost me $1400 to get it fixed because this brake damaged many other things. Their lack of concern has turned me off. I am not a satisfied customer. It also has trouble idling, poor gas mileage and the steering wheel is noisy. I thought dodge had a good reputation, but I am not satisfied with mine. I will never buy another dodge.

I own a dodge dakota sport 2001. At 74,000 miles my bearings broke which caused the wheel to turn in-wards while we were driving it. Dodge says this is not of their concern and is bad luck for me. It cost me $1400 to get it fixed because this brake damaged many other things. Their lack of concern has turned me off. I am not a satisfied customer. It also has trouble idling, poor gas mileage and the steering wheel is noisy. I thought dodge had a good reputation, but I am not satisfied with mine. I will never buy another dodge.

I recently bought a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad 3.9 auto. The only problem I'm having is a whistling noise, I first though it was a vacuum leak, but I can't find any holes. The noise comes and goes only lasts a few seconds. Maybe it's a belt not sure if anybody had this problem please give me the answer thanks. Paul H. Milton On..

I own an 02 quad cab, 4.7 Liter with 39k. Just had recall on ball joints done. Have had front end issues three months after buying new. Sway bar setup is terrible. The bar actually has to be lubricated at bushings to stop squeaking noises, therefore allowing the bar to slide back & forth. So much for sway prevention. Dealer replaced bushings, but problem reoccurs frequently and must be kept lubed. Had rotors tuned at 32K, pads only half worn, and just replaced at 38K. Three weeks now after recall repair, I am getting a loud squeak in front end and do not think it is the sway bar. What fun! Never again!!!

Sincerely,

S.K.

Beacon Falls, CT USA.