Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota quad cab. While driving 35 MPH, smoke emitted inside of the vehicle. The contact drove to the side of the road, while inspecting the vehicle he noticed smoke coming from the front driver side wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was related to defective calipers. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. While depressing the brake pedal, the brakes malfunctioned and made the vehicle difficult to stop. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the brake fluid leaked from the vehicle due to rusting and corrosion of the metal brake lines. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 125,000.
On September 8 2006 my service engine light came on as I was driving home. While climbing a hill the engine started to miss fire and the truck was running very rough. When I crested the hill the vehicle stalled and I lost power brakes and steering. There was no traffice so I was able to pull over and stop the vehicle safely. I looked under the hood and seen that the vacuum line was rotted in half. I tried to restart the vehicle and it would not run. I spliced the line and was able to get the vehicle home. I was then looking under the hood and noticed that the vacuum booster for the brakes has rust on it. I called the Chrysler customer care line and they told me that they had never heard of that happing on a 2003. They asked me the milage and I told them it had 45000 miles on it. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab. Whenever the brake pedal was applied, the brakes would pulsate, overheat, and lock up. The stopping distance would also increase. The dealer stated that wet conditions and high speed braking caused the rotors to warp. In addition, the vehicle idles high and roughly when approaching a stop sign or traffic light. When accelerating from a stop or merging into traffic, the vehicle would idle roughly. There was no throttle response for approximately 10 to 20 seconds, but then the vehicle would surge forward. The vehicle has been taken to a dealer approximately five times for these issues, but the failures still persist. All the sensors were replaced, but the failure is becoming worse. The dealer replaced the front rotors three times and the contact replaced them four times. The current mileage was 132,655 and failure mileage was 5,000. …
The day I brought my 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab home, I noticed a howling noise coming from the rear brakes when in reverse. Took it back to dealer to find out what was the cause and for it to be repaired. Service manager said that the breaks needed to be broken in and then the noise would stop. Took truck back for oil change after 3000 miles and informed service manager that the truck was still making howling noise. Told me there was a service bulletin on this problem and that as soon as the parts came in he would call . I'm still waiting. Also I am having transmission problems. When I am climbing a grade the transmission seems to get stuck in second gear. I have to let off the gas for it to shift. Sometimes the shift is very harsh and at other times it misses a gear altogether. Truck has a hard time maintaining set speed when cruise control is set. …
Vehicle will either go into neutral when put in reverse or while reversing pop out of reverse into neutral. This mostly occurred when the vehicle was in 4-wheel drive. The dealership serviced the vehicle several times for this issue, but since they were unable to duplicate or resolve the problem. The consumer had two transmission problems. The transmission module shorted out on four separate occasions. This problem caused the consumer to be nearly rear ended three times. The transmission shift indicator showed that the vehicle was in reverse but acted as if it were in neutral. The vehicle pulled to the left, the brakes would squeak and the vehicle had poor gas mileage. The battery was replaced because the vehicle did not start at times.
After 6,000 miles on my 2003 Dakota, I had to have the rotors (all 4) turned because they were warped. Now dealer did it for free. Again 13,000 miles they are warped need turned again. Dealer not paying I have to pay them. It is close to another 6000 miles and they are starting to behave in the way they did with pedal pulsating and vibrating and the truck rear end feeling like it is bouncing up and down and I know the same problem is there, and this time it is going to be replace all 4. I am not the only one with rotor problems, it appears the brakes aren't made for a truck this size but for a smaller version of it. This needs to be fixed my Dodge.
Dodge Dakota quad cab pickup 2003, brake failed to work properly. The consumer hit a parked vehicle on 2 separate occasions. The consumer stated when he attempted to apply the brake, the pedal simply collapsed to the floorboard. The dealer checked out the brakes and stated there were no problems, however on the third occasion the brakes failed again without incident. The consumer has continued to experience brake problems. The consumer took the vehicle to midas who told the consumer there was internal failure within the brake system and it was a warranty issue that should be handled by the dealer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. The contact was driving 30 MPH and attempted to stop at an intersection when the brakes failed. The contact pumped the brakes continuously until the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and repair. The contact was advised that the brake lines were corroded and all of the brake lines that were connected to the master cylinder had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
2003 Dodge Dakota, 2wd, 5 spd manual, v6. At speeds from 15 MPH and up the brake system seems to fail as the truck jumps and skids very rapidly. The first time this happened I was on the freeway, traffic came to a halt quickly, I applied the brakes and almost lost control and hit the car in front of me as this jumping and skidding occured. All parts on the truck are factory and have not been modified. I am concerned and wondering if this has anything to do with the front suspension clunking.
Brake complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 17% of the model year's 296 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Dakota brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 Dodge Dakota, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Dakota brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 62% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.