Dodge Dakota Problems by Year

We compared every Dodge Dakota model year from 1995–2011 using 5,781 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 34 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2000, 2001, 2002, 1999 and 1998, which drew far more complaints than other Dakota years at the same age. The best years are 2009, 2010 and 2011.

17model years
5,781complaints
34recalls
2000, 2001worst years
2009, 2010best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’1120818944654564180667867829620647028514591183544
Owner complaints per model year, Dodge Dakota. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201144−80%6AirbagGood
201035−84%7AirbagGood
200918−91%5TransmissionGood
200891−60%2AirbagGood
2007145−46%4AirbagGood
2006285−36%5AirbagAverage
20054701.3×6AirbagAverage
2004206−18%1SteeringAverage
20032961.4×4SuspensionAverage
20026783.3×5SuspensionAvoid
20016783.3×7SuspensionAvoid
20008064.2×5SuspensionAvoid
19996413.2×4SuspensionAvoid
19985452.8×5SuspensionAvoid
19974462.3×5SuspensionAvoid
1996189−15%1BrakeAverage
1995208typical—BrakeAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Dakota year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Dodge Dakota problems

Latest Dodge Dakota recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-018 · Jan 15, 2019 · 1,413,222 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-021 · Jan 9, 2018 · 328,177 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler

NHTSA recall 17V-820 · Dec 20, 2017 · 16,900 vehicles

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks equipped with heated seats. These driver and passenger seats may develop hot spots that can result in the seat cushion or seat back having burn holes.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the seat heating system control features, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-352 · May 24, 2016 · 4,648,270 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 15V-313 · May 26, 2015 · 4,077,169 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners.

All 34 Dodge Dakota recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Dodge Dakota should you avoid?

2000, 2001, 2002, 1999, 1998 and 1997 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Dakota years at the same age, led by suspension problems in the 2000.

What is the best year for the Dodge Dakota?

2009 has the fewest complaints compared with other Dakota years at the same age, followed by 2010 and 2011. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Dodge Dakota problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the suspension (1,716), brakes (1,119) and transmission & drivetrain (716). Suspension complaints peak in the 1999 model year.

How many recalls has the Dodge Dakota had?

34 recalls across 1995–2011. The model year with the most is 2001. See all Dodge Dakota recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.