What's Wrong with the 3rd Generation Dakota?

Front 3/4 view of a Dodge Dakota

The 3rd generation Dakota runs from 2005 to 2011. Owners have made 223 complaints about those model years. Most of the complaints are about engine problems.

Considering those complaints, along with other data – such as average repair costs, age of the vehicle, and recall frequency – we've assigned this generation a PainRank™ score of 10.29.

It ranks 28th out of 54 eligible generations in overall reliability.

The Worst 2005-2011 Dakota Problems

Dodge Vehicles With Recalled Takata Airbags

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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 …

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Ram Death Wobble

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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?…

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Oil Sludge in the 2.7L Engine

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

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What 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

Worst Topics

Worst Years

By the Numbers

  1. 7 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 223 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 28th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 54 eligible generations.