What's Wrong with the Dodge Dakota?

The Worst Dakota Problems

Dodge Vehicles With Recalled Takata Airbags

Takata, a parts supplier, provided automakers with a defective airbag inflator responsible for 23 deaths and hundreds of injuries. It's one of the largest and most dangerous recalls in automotive history, affecting over 37 million vehicles …

Stuck in Park

Can't shift the car into reverse or drive! Now what? This is most commonly reported from Dodge Avenger owners, but there have also been similar complaints about other Dodge makes as well as other Chrysler and Jeep vehicles having a similar …

Dodge Ram Cracked Dashboards

Are you frustrated by a cracked dashboard in your Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 or 3500? Find out why this widespread problem is happening and what Dodge is doing about it.

Ram Death Wobble

Dodge Ram trucks are susceptible to a horrible front end vibration known as the death wobble, but what is it and how to FIX it?…

Oil Sludge in the 2.7L Engine

Oil sludge buildup and sludge-related engine failure is a design DEFECT in Chrysler's 2.7L engine…

What Dakota Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

2002 Dakota brake cylinder lock-up 28 (100%)
2002 Dakota brakes lock up 23 (82%)
2002 Dakota brakes get hot and smoke 14 (50%)
2000 Dakota paint completely faded on hood and roof 12 (43%)
2000 Dakota brakes sticking 11 (39%)

Worst Topics

Engine 163 (100%)
Brakes 148 (91%)
Transmission 90 (55%)
HVAC 65 (40%)
Body 64 (39%)

Worst Years

2002 165 (100%)
2005 116 (70%)
2000 102 (62%)
1999 72 (44%)
2001 71 (43%)

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Comparing 3 Generations

Generations are groups of model years where few, if any, changes were made to the vehicle which means their model years tend to break in similar ways. The Dakota has 3 generations with the latest starting in the 2005 model year.

3rd Generation Dakota (2005–2011)

PainRank^™: 10.29
Complaints: 223
Reliability: 28th out of 59

2nd Generation Dakota (1997–2004)

PainRank^™: 18.19
Complaints: 606
Reliability: 36th out of 59

1st Generation Dakota (1987–1996)

PainRank^™: 2.41
Complaints: 72
Reliability: 17th out of 59

By the Numbers

891 complaints
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
382 service bulletins
Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.
58 recall campaigns
Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

The Latest Dakota News

FCA Recalls 1.6 Million Takata Inflators in 'Fourth and Final Stage'

Posted on: January 11, 2019
Source: carcomplaints.com

Is that a light at the end of the Takata tunnel? Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) says they’ve entered the _ fourth and final stage_ of Takata recalls with a campaign to replace the passenger-side inflators in 1.6 million vehicles.
The bulk of the vehic … continue reading

It’s Happening Again. More Dodge Vehicles Recalled with Dangerous Takata Airbags.

Posted on: January 25, 2018
Source: carcomplaints.com

Did you know it’s been almost five years since the first Takata recall? And just like the ongoing nightmare it’s become, we find ourselves staring down the barrel of yet another recall expansion.
Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) is recalling 317,000 veh … continue reading

Journey Leaks Power Steering Fluid When It’s Cold Outside

Posted on: May 31, 2016
Source: carcomplaints.com

Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) announced they will recall 4.3 million vehicles with dangerous Takata airbags, and that includes plenty of Dodge models. … continue reading

Regional Recall Issued for Takata Airbag Inflators

Posted on: December 19, 2014
Source: carcomplaints.com

Just a few days after switching its name, FCA US is issuing a massive recall for 3.3 million older vehicles with Takata airbag inflators.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been not-so-subtly suggesting automaker … continue reading

Regional Recall Issued for Takata Airbag Inflators

Posted on: December 12, 2014
Source: carcomplaints.com

Dodge is part of a new recall of Takata airbag inflators in over 350,000 vehicles. The recall is currently limited to areas of high humidity, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and the territories of … continue reading