1999 Dodge Dakota Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 4%of 641 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Dodge Dakota, 4% of the 641 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving down the road, everything shuts off; motor, brakes, steering. Odometer reads no bus and non of the gauges in the cluster work. After resetting the computer by unpluggin the negative terminal and vehicle cools, it starts up. This is a huge concern as I have read for many owners of similar models and years. It concerns me because I drive congested highways to and from work. This is a big safety issue and needs to be addressed and accounted for.”
NHTSA complaint #10631404, filed 2014-09, 93,540 miles“Often when I start my truck the oil pressure gauge will go all the way up, the gauge for the battery stays down, and when it does start, the serpentine belt will squeal, sometimes it will start and idle, other times it will not idle, unless I keep my foot on the gas, as soon as I take my foot off the gas it will stall, after about 15 minutes, everything will go back to normal and it runs fine, but lately, its been doing it more often, when it does this, there is a foul smell coming out of the exhaust. I have had it scanned and no codes came up on the scanner. …”
NHTSA complaint #11257872, filed 2019-09, 110,000 miles“1999 Dodge Dakota wiring problem. My 1999 Dodge Dakota has a wiring problem that causes the cruise control to be stuck in the on position and causes the turn signal to freeze while at a long light. The cruise control is a dangerous situation since it can not be disengaged with the brake, you must manually turn the system off. Superior Dodge in nicholasville, ky has already charged me for 2 hours labor to try and find the problem but have had no luck finding the shorted out wire yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10043238, filed 2003-10, 56,000 miles“I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota v-8 magnum 5.2l, it only has 138,000 miles on it. When I bought it it only had 76,600 miles. In that little time I have had to replace the upper and lower ball joints twice, and the rack and pinion, and the water pump, the thermostat, the power steering pump, the tie rods, and there is so much more wrong. Why am having to replace these things twice in such little mileage? After reading up on it through the internet I am not the only one with these problems, there are hundreds of people with the same complaints, why is there a recall on the 2000, & 1998 but not 1999? …”
NHTSA complaint #10287467, filed 2009-10, 138,000 miles“Every time I used the lighter the fuse would blow, my radio would fail and I would have troubles with my wipers. I checked all fuses and didn't find a problem. All of a sudden my headlights will go out and once in a while if I click my high beams on and off the driving headlights will eventually come back on. I was in northern maine and I lost my power steering. I had to walk through the woods to a cabin I could see had its house light on and knock on the door for help. Once my truck was freed from being stuck I had to drive 3 miles back to the mountain w/no power steering. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071222, filed 2004-01, 62,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10229256Jul 22, 2020KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other…
- 10221686Jul 22, 2020KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other…
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and…
- 10176211Mar 23, 2020This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the internal spring. If the internal spring is not seated, the electrical…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 9% |
| 2010 | 6 | 17% |
| 2009 | 3 | 17% |
| 2008 | 11 | 12% |
| 2007 | 14 | 10% |
| 2006 | 30 | 11% |
| 2005 | 32 | 7% |
| 2004 | 21 | 10% |
| 2003 | 34 | 11% |
| 2002 | 52 | 8% |
| 2001 | 58 | 9% |
| 2000 | 21 | 3% |
| 1999 | 23 | 4% |
| 1998 | 19 | 3% |
| 1997 | 17 | 4% |
| 1996 | 19 | 10% |
| 1995 | 12 | 6% |
| 1994 | 23 | 14% |
| 1993 | 8 | 6% |
| 1992 | 23 | 11% |
| 1991 | 7 | 5% |
| 1990 | 2 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1999 Dodge Dakota
342 complaintsBrakes
95 complaintsSteering
72 complaintsEngine cooling
70 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
56 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsTires
24 complaintsEquipment
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology