Seven problems related to manual transmission have been reported for the 2001 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
1. The 4-wheel drive on my vehicle will only occasionally engage when the selector is set to 4-wheel drive. If engaged it always disengages suddenly and/or re-engages at random times. In other words, it goes in and out of 4-wheel drive randomly and on its own when the selector is set to 4-wheel drive. 2. The problem began during the winter of 2008-2009 and has continued to the present. This has caused unsafe driving conditions and sliding on ice and snow covered streets when the 4-wheel drive suddenly goes off and then on again causing the vehicle to lurch. I have not yet had an accident as a result but have had a couple of very scary incidents and near misses. 3. On July 7, 2009 I took my vehicle to my local mechanic for diagnosis and repair. After 2 days of diagnosis he replaced the control module but still could not resolve the problem even though his diagnostic computer found the components working correctly independently of each other. He researched the issue on line and found it should be related to a safety recall for daimler Chrysler. He printed out the recall information for me, which I have in my possession. 9/19/09 I took it to bellevue Dodge, 120 116th Ave ne, bellevue, wa 98005 with the recall paperwork. They told me that my vehicle is not related to the previous recall item. Since this is such a dangerous problem I felt a report is in order.
When stop and in neutral. It's very hard to put it in first gear and the car gets stuck in the middle of the road. It just wont shift into first gear you can be there for about 5 minutes trying to put it in first gear, and this causes a traffic jam behind me. I'm not sure if its the gear box or the clutch, but its very frustrating. This is a 2001 truck and I don't think it should be having a problem yet. Maybe there's another 2001 Dodge Dakota with the same problem like this.
Shifts into netural while driving will not upshift from lower gear vechicle still at dealer still has not dianosoned problem has had since 2/6/03 while I pay for a rental car.
This is second notice. Now there was a minor accident. What next?no safety defect.
While driving slowly in first gear vehicle surges back and forth violently. When this happens, consumer has to stop vehicle and start it up again. Consumer states the problem is becoming more frequent.
Consumer stated the vehicle stopped moving while driving, the problem was due to the third gear separating in the transmission, the was problem repaired, however consumer sold the vehicle.
Truck stalls when put into reverse, same problem occurs at times in drive as well.