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Dodge Dakota Lighting problems by year

145 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Dakota's lights. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.

Lighting complaints by model year

YearLighting complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20113000
20088000
20075000
20069001
20055001
20046003
200323005
200221004
200120104
20005004
19997104
199811104
19978004
19966001
19956001
19940001
19931001
19921001
19910001

Lighting recalls

Latest Dakota lighting complaints

2011 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemLightsAcceleration & cruise control

Many Dodge vehicle models experience failure of illumination for instrument clusters. This creates an unsafe condition for the driver since information presented at the instrument cluster, cannot be determined during night time driving conditions. Dodge makes no provision to customers for replacement or repair parts and does not provide any documentation through Dodge dealers on how to address this issue. It was determined that Dodge does not offer replacement instrument clusters to address this issue.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11621880
2011 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemLights

The backlighting on the instrument cluster is defective. Only a portion of the gauges are illuminated. Should this occur for the speedometer then driver will not have a way to determine vehicle speed during the nighttime hours.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11487852
2003 Dodge DakotaLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. While driving, the clutch was applied and the exterior lighting became inoperable. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called ferrario chrysler dodge jeep (2463 corning rd, elmira, ny 14903, (607) 733-9108) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact stated that the failure was similar to nhtsa campaign number: 02v322000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 42,000. *Bf *tp

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11269383
2001 Dodge DakotaTransmission & drivetrainLights

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11210011
2002 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemLights

Central time module causing my lights to cut off while driving could cause accident

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11165215
2005 Dodge DakotaLightsAirbagsFuel system

Takata air bag. I purchased a 2005 dodge dakota in august 2018. I took it to the dealership in october when I found out about the recall. Dealership replaced drivers side but not passenger side.I was told and shown photos of an empty space.There was no airbag or wiring.I still have no psa. Also when I test drove this vehicle it had no headlights.When I purchased it I was told they were fixed.I do not have high beams still. There are also problems with the emissions on this truck.I replaced the evap pump but still is not correct. Can someone please tell me what I can do about these safety issues? Thank you.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Air bags · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11150765
2003 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemLights

Lost exterior lights (parking lights, license plate light, tail lights, and instrument panel lights) while driving. Headlights, turn lights, and brake lights functioning. Ctm was diagnosed and replaced to correct the issue, however safety concerns caused the vehicle to be unused in low light conditions until problem diagnosed. Repetitive postings about this models ctm failures all over the internet and adjoining safety consideration with only a limited recall, which did not include my vehicle. No after market parts were found and replaced with a item for a local junk yard which may simply fail again.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11142715
2001 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the headlights, turn signals, and speedometer failed to operate. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11102291
1998 Dodge DakotaLights

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the headlamps failed to illuminate. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the wiring in the headlamp assembly was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,674.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11074988
2001 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemLightsBrakes

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Service brakesNHTSA 11066177
2001 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the interior dome and instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. In addition, the headlights and tail lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the central control timer module failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic disconnected the battery and all the lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that nothing could be done to assist. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. *Tt

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Interior lightingNHTSA 11014000
2004 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

The driver headlight quit working. I went to the store to replace it thinking it had burnt out. When I replaced the light it did not work still and the old headlight still had both filaments proving it was still good. I took the truck to the dealership after both headlights quit working on me when I was out at night driving less than a 10th of a mile from home. I managed to not get in an accident. The dealership told me that the ctm and head light switch were bad however the ctm was a "obsolete" part and they were...

Read the full complaint

unable to get me one. After they released my truck back to me to drive as I please, I was able to purchase an older ctm from a 2003 4x4 automatic dakota 4.7L. Now my lights work and I have a "guarantee" from the ebay seller that it will work for 6 months. I have a seriously dangerous vehicle and I can not trust my headlights will not go out at any time so I can not drive it at night in good confidence or moral conscience. The dealership lilithia dodge of roseburg oregon has record of my truck being in their possession for multiple days before releasing it back into my possession without doing anything but a diagnostics test.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10994034
2003 Dodge DakotaElectrical systemLights

Head lights intermittently start blinking and eventually go out all together along with dash and dome lights. Online forums say it's the ctm. The next day it's fine then out of the blue it starts acting up again. Very dangerous when traveling at night. Any recalls for this? Seems to be quite common for this year dakota

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10991874
2004 Dodge DakotaLightsEquipment & accessories

Driving on a rainy night and headlights and wipers quit working all at once. Central timer module failed and shut the lights and wipers off as well as interior lights and door locks. Almost didn't get vehicle stopped without wrecking. Left vehicle and came back during daylight and drove to repair shop. Where located the issue was a failed central timer module. Contacted dodge and said its out of warranty? Its not about warranty or not it could have the potential for a fatality. Still have the old ctm if anyone is interested in looking into the matter. Why would headlights be ran through a module like this just asking for trouble.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · EquipmentNHTSA 10968286

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

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