Eight problems related to engine have been reported for the 2001 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My vehicle was recalled but the day I was going to bring it in the transmission stopped working and the motor is no more good. The truck would not shift gears good and it was going on for a while. My father changed the head gaskets but it did not help.
2001 Dodge Dakota quadcab began running rough approximately 3 weeks ago, from this date, 09/15/06. Brought it into the dealership because the "check engine" light was on. After charging me $500. 00 + for a tune-up, cleaning the injectors, and replacing an oxygen sensor, the dealership still could not make the truck run smoothly. They ended up telling me that if I left it with them for a week or so that they could possibly determine the problem and it was probably going to entail them removing the heads and would be a minimum of $1,000. 00. I was also advised that my front end needed to be aligned. I just put the tires on last summer, had all these problems checked by another mechanic. Front end did not need aligning but they did determine the problem with running rough. Seems that due to a carbon build-up inside the cylinder, some carbon actually got into the #3 cylinder and caused the valve to bend slightly. I am the original owner of this vehicle and it only has 63,000 miles on it. I have never ran it hot, without oil and always make sure I maintain my maintenance on it. Last year, my front brake calipers had to be replaced, at $900. 00 which in turn ruined the front brake pads. The dealership then told me that the boots in the calipers were dry rotted. I like the truck but it seems as if since I paid it off 3 yrs. Ago, I have had some sort of mechanical problems with it every year since then. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone, unless they were a mechanic. My mechanic says that a lot of it is due to poor workmanship. What a shame, it is no wonder why the u. S. Auto industry is in such bad shape.
On Thursday, December 29, 2005, I was returning home from findlay, OH, I was about 37 miles from home when the check gauges light came on and the oil pressure gage dropped to 0. I was able to get off the highway into a parking lot at which time the truck wouldn't start. I had the truck towed to the dealership where I bought it. The service department checked it out and said I needed a new engine due to sludge build up caused by improper maintenance. I change my oil on a regular basis. I have a Dodge neon with over 120,000 miles and my previous car was a 1987 chevy nova with over 199,000 miles.
When cold my 2001 Dakota stutters from 2300 to 2500 rpm. When I talk to other Dakota owners they all have the same problem. This could be dangerous for someone not informed of the problem.
When the gas pedal was released, the engine idled high. Please provide further details. When moving slowly or accelerating from a stop the vehicle continued to idle high a while before it would idle down. The vehicle's throttle sensor and air sensor were replaced.
While driving at 45 mph an alarm sounded warning the consumer to check the instrument panel. Oil pressure gauge registered very low oil pressure. Consumer checked the oil level with the dip stick and found it to be up to par. Dealer examined the vehicle, and found a sludge build up in the engine. A new engine was needed.
2001 Dodge Dakota equipped with a 4. 7 liter eight cylinder engine with 46024 miles began to have a light knock. I had the vehicle towed to metrolina Dodge where I was informed that the vehicle had spun a rod, due to excessive oil sludge build up. The vehicle was purchased with a extended warranty, but I was informed that the damage would not be covered under the warranty because the oil had not been changed by Dodge certified mechanics. My husband and father have changed the oil every 3500 miles, but according to the people at metrolina if Dodge did not perform all the maintenance on the vehicle then the warranty is voided. My husband went to metrolina Dodge to have the service writer show him the sludge build up that they were telling me about. While he was there the service writer kevin st. Clair told my husband that they have had several 4. 7 and 2. 7-liter engines with the same problem. Kevin said that it would cost $6500. 00 to replace the crankshaft, one rod, and the bearings.
The vehicle back fired while driving 35 mph.