Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

1988-2011 · 24 model years

Dodge Dakota Problems by year

Owners have filed 6,476 complaints about the Dodge Dakota across 24 model years, and it has 56 recalls. The 2000 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (830), while 1990, 2009, 2011 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the suspension, followed by the brakes.

Most complaints for its age2000830 complaints · 12 recallsSee the 2000
Complaints
6,476
Recalls
56
Crashes
517
Fires
141
Injuries
349
Deaths
19

Dakota complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201144680AirbagsA
20100700-A
200918510Transmission & drivetrainA
200891251AirbagsA
20071454112AirbagsB
20062856237AirbagsD
200547073027AirbagsF
20042065116SteeringC
200329611165SuspensionD
2002689125818SuspensionF
2001678144411SuspensionF
2000830126014SuspensionF
199968810518SuspensionF
199855712441SuspensionF
199745212426SuspensionF
19961992216BrakesC
19952121387Seats & seat beltsC
19940400-A
19931372156BrakesB
19922212209Transmission & drivetrainC
19911285115Transmission & drivetrainB
199066350SteeringA
198964332SteeringA
19880300-A

Most common Dakota problems

Dodge Dakota recalls 56

Air bags

14V770000250,896 vehicles affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in...

Latest Dakota complaints

2007 Dodge DakotaElectrical system

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, almost causing a crash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with alternator and ECM failure. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle had previously experienced electrical issues and the battery was replaced; however, the failure was caused by the alternator, not the battery. The contact stated that the battery warning light illuminated and the RPM was fluctuating. The failure was confirmed by the independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11768171
2003 Dodge DakotaWheels & tires

The lower ball joint just snapped the whole right front end assembly hub

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 11761108
2006 Dodge DakotaAirbagsCrash1 injury

Had front collision and airbag didnt deploy,dont know speed,but fast enough to collapse whole front to shift and tear the frame... airbag recall replacement done in February

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11760991
2006 Dodge DakotaBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted and the rear spring holder had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,500.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11749982
2007 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemAirbags

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that a dealer technician came to the contact's residence and performed an air bag recall repair. Following the repair, the vehicle became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and that a burning odor was coming from the area near the air bag. The battery warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11735542
2005 Dodge DakotaBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle had been shipped to them. While the vehicle was parked, the contact inspected the vehicle and observed that the frame was severely corroded. The contact also noted that the frames of all the vehicle doors were corroded as well. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was not formally diagnosed; however, the mechanic informed the contact that the frame was severely corroded, the vehicle was structurally compromised, and they...

Read the full complaint

were unsure whether the vehicle could be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,892.

Filed Incident Structure · Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 11725826

Questions about the Dodge Dakota

Which Dodge Dakota years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2000 (830), 2002 (689), 1999 (688). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2000 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Dodge Dakota years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 1988, 1994, 2010 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Dakota years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Dodge Dakota problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the suspension (1,752), brakes (1,209), transmission & drivetrain (919) most often.

How many recalls does the Dodge Dakota have?

NHTSA lists 56 recalls across all Dodge Dakota model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience