2001 Dodge Dakota Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 3%of 678 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,598miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2001 Dodge Dakota, 3% of the 678 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,598 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The stereo system stop working, the interior lights are flickering and even when the doors are perfectly closed and I am wearing my seat bell the alarm ( bell sound) start sounding when I reach the 10 MPH speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10511500, filed 2013-05, 85,196 miles“The fuse for my dimmer switch kept blowing. And I kept replacing. Because with out it in I can not see gauges. And my outside marker light fuse kept doing same. I replaced fuses again today they immediately blew. I rotated the dimmer switch to the lowest position. Again I replaced fuses. Then I turned on lights and slowly rotated dimmer switch up and I saw smoke coming from corner of instrument panel near where switch sets in dash.”
NHTSA complaint #10214478, filed 2008-01, 110,800 miles“I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota. One headlight bulb failed. The vehicle manual instructs one to remove two bolts to access the bulb. This bulb is subject to the weather and has rusted. I need to replace the bolts. Dodge indicates that the bolt is not sold separately and is part of the headlight unit. This unit is $250.00. I believe this is an absurd amount to pay for a bolt which is required to operate the vehicle with functional headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #10206866, filed 2007-10, 63,000 miles“Front cv axle(hub and bearing) failure while driving. The intermediate axle also needs replacing due to severe rust from cv axle. The upper upper ball joint has been replaced twice. The front headlights do not provide adequete visability at night.”
NHTSA complaint #11210011, filed 2019-05, 185,000 miles“Computer control of headlights, interior and dash lighting, and possibly the ABS system and the intermittent wiper control are affected. Without warning these systems either failed or became erratic. Vehicle exhibits these malfunctions both stationary and in motion, and at all speeds. It is apparently not an uncommon issue, as per information available on the internet. The (temporary?) fix is to disconnect the battery for 15+ minutes, possible cause: the computer connectors.”
NHTSA complaint #11066177, filed 2018-02, 148,500 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 9% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 3% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 22 | 7% |
| 2002 | 21 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 1% |
| 1999 | 7 | 1% |
| 1998 | 11 | 2% |
| 1997 | 6 | 1% |
| 1996 | 6 | 3% |
| 1995 | 5 | 2% |
| 1994 | 5 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2001 Dodge Dakota
236 complaintsBrakes
130 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
93 complaintsElectrical system
58 complaintsEngine cooling
53 complaintsSteering
48 complaintsAir bags
39 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsTires
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsEquipment
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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