Dodge · Known Issues

1990-2011 Dodge Dakota Problems: 13 Known Issues

1990-2011 model years · 750+ owner reports · Updated August 2026

According to Au7o's analysis of 750+ owner reports, the 1990-2011 Dodge Dakota has 13 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are Ball Joint Failure - Safety Issue ($300-$700 repair), 4.7L V8 Timing Chain Tensioner Failure ($1,000-$2,500 repair), Transmission Fluid Expulsion and Fire Risk - Recall ($0-$0 repair) and Premature Front Ball Joint Wear (Non-Greaseable Factory Joints) ($350-$1,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Plenum Gasket Failure (5.2L/5.9L Magnum V8) with 230 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $15 to $3,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Dodge Dakota problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 750+ owner reports, the 1990-2011 Dodge Dakota has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Ball Joint Failure - Safety Issue, 4.7L V8 Timing Chain Tensioner Failure, Transmission Fluid Expulsion and Fire Risk - Recall. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Dodge Dakota reliable?

The 1990-2011 Dodge Dakota has 13 known issues documented across 750+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Ball Joint Failure - Safety Issue and 4.7L V8 Timing Chain Tensioner Failure and Transmission Fluid Expulsion and Fire Risk - Recall and Premature Front Ball Joint Wear (Non-Greaseable Factory Joints). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Dodge Dakota problems?

Repair costs for known Dodge Dakota issues range from $0 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Ball Joint Failure - Safety Issue, typically costs $300-$700 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Dodge Dakota is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Dodge Dakota. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1990-2011 Dodge Dakota with 13 documented issues documented across 750+ owner reports.

What is the 1997-2004 Dodge Dakota Ball Joint Failure - Safety Issue?

Upper and lower ball joints wear prematurely, with failures reported as early as 49,000 miles. Can cause wheel separation in worst cases. NHTSA recall for some model years. Same design shared with 1st-gen Durango. Repairs typically run $300-$700. Severity: high.

What is the 2000-2007 Dodge Dakota 4.7L V8 Timing Chain Tensioner Failure?

The timing chain tensioner and guides wear prematurely, especially when incorrect oil weight is used (5W-30 instead of the required 5W-20). Causes rattling on startup, performance deterioration, and can lead to engine destruction if chain jumps. Repairs typically run $1,000-$2,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2000-2004 Dodge Dakota Transmission Fluid Expulsion and Fire Risk - Recall?

Design flaw allows ATF to be expelled from fill tube during normal driving onto hot exhaust system, creating a fire risk. NHTSA recall issued for affected vehicles. Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 1990-1999 Dodge Dakota Premature Front Ball Joint Wear (Non-Greaseable Factory Joints)?

The front upper and lower ball joints wear out prematurely, frequently well under 100,000 miles. The factory joints are sealed/non-greaseable; the boots tear, letting grease out and water/dirt in, so the joints corrode and wear rapidly. Second-generation (1997-1999) owners report… Repairs typically run $350-$1,000. Severity: high.

What is the 1997-2003 Dodge Dakota Plenum Gasket Failure (5.2L/5.9L Magnum V8)?

The plenum gasket between intake manifold and engine block fails, allowing oil into combustion chambers. Same issue as 1st-gen Durango. Causes oil consumption, pinging, and rough idle. Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 1996-1999 Dodge Dakota 46RE/42RE Governor Pressure Solenoid and Sensor Failure?

The electronically-modulated 42RE (behind the V6) and 46RE (behind the V8) automatic transmissions, used 1996-1999, rely on a governor pressure solenoid and a governor pressure sensor mounted on the valve body to control shift timing. Heat and mileage fatigue the sensor and cause… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1999 Dodge Dakota Cooling System Wear: Water Pump Weep-Hole Leak, Dried Bypass Hose, and Distributor Moisture?

The Magnum 3.9L/5.2L water pump is a common age-related failure. When the internal shaft seal wears, coolant weeps from the small hole on the underside of the pump, leaving coolant at the front of the engine. A frequently-overlooked companion failure is the short heater/bypass ho… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: medium.

What is the 1992-1999 Dodge Dakota Intake Plenum Pan Gasket Failure (Magnum V6/V8) Causing Oil Consumption and Misfire?

The 3.9L and 5.2L Magnum engines use a two-piece intake manifold: a cast-aluminum upper and a stamped-steel plenum pan bolted to the underside with a gasket sealing them. Because the steel plate and aluminum manifold expand at different rates, over years of heat cycling the steel… Repairs typically run $250-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1999 Dodge Dakota Body Rust: Cab Corners, Rocker Panels, and Rear Wheel Arches?

Like most pickups of the era, 1990-1999 Dakotas rust in predictable places, especially in road-salt regions. The lower cab corners, rocker panels, and rear wheel-well arches trap road grime, salt, and moisture and rot from the inside out. Rockers and cab corners are typically the… Repairs typically run $300-$3,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 1997-2011 Dodge Dakota Transmission Overdrive Solenoid Failure (42RE/45RFE)?

The 42RE (4-speed) and 45RFE/545RFE (5-speed) automatic transmissions in the Dakota suffer from overdrive solenoid failures. The overdrive solenoid sticks or fails electrically, preventing the transmission from engaging overdrive or causing it to drop out of overdrive unexpectedl… Repairs typically run $200-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 2000-2011 Dodge Dakota Transfer Case Output Seal Leak (NP231/NP242)?

The NP231 and NP242 transfer cases in 4WD Dakotas develop leaks at the rear output shaft seal and front output shaft seal. The seals dry out and crack from heat exposure and age, allowing ATF to leak onto the exhaust crossover pipe, creating a burning fluid smell. Low fluid level… Repairs typically run $150-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1999 Dodge Dakota HVAC Airflow/Heat Loss: Vacuum-Actuated Doors, Blend Door, and Clogged Heater Core?

Dakota HVAC problems are common with age. On the first-generation trucks the mode doors (defrost/vent/floor) are vacuum-operated; a cracked or disconnected vacuum line (routed near the brake booster on the driver's side) causes the system to default to defrost and lose control of… Repairs typically run $150-$1,100. Severity: low.

What is the 2000-2011 Dodge Dakota Rear Window Defroster Element Grid Cracking and Failure?

The rear window defroster grid lines crack and break, leaving sections of the window uncleared. The adhesive-bonded heating elements separate from the glass due to thermal cycling and UV degradation. On crew cab models, the flex in the rear window area accelerates the grid line f… Repairs typically run $15-$850. Severity: low.

All 13 Known Issues

Ball Joint Failure - Safety Issue#

Premature Front Ball Joint Wear (Non-Greaseable Factory Joints)#

4.7L V8 Timing Chain Tensioner Failure#

Plenum Gasket Failure (5.2L/5.9L Magnum V8)#

Intake Plenum Pan Gasket Failure (Magnum V6/V8) Causing Oil Consumption and Misfire#

Transmission Fluid Expulsion and Fire Risk - Recall#

46RE/42RE Governor Pressure Solenoid and Sensor Failure#

Transmission Overdrive Solenoid Failure (42RE/45RFE)#

Cooling System Wear: Water Pump Weep-Hole Leak, Dried Bypass Hose, and Distributor Moisture#

Body Rust: Cab Corners, Rocker Panels, and Rear Wheel Arches#

Transfer Case Output Seal Leak (NP231/NP242)#

HVAC Airflow/Heat Loss: Vacuum-Actuated Doors, Blend Door, and Clogged Heater Core#

Rear Window Defroster Element Grid Cracking and Failure#

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