Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 2003 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the windshield wipers failed and the exterior lighting sporadically malfunctioned. Also, the side cap to the main radiator spewed antifreeze approximately five feet in the air. The contact shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were made aware of the failure. In addition, while driving at a low speed, a loud popping sound emitted from the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the ball joint fractured. The contact was made aware that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V596000 (suspension). The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where he performed the repair. The failure mileage was 220,000.
Over a period of time I gradually noticed exhaust gas coming into the cab. I had no idea why I was getting a headache and becoming exhausted. I took the truck into a dealer and he found exhaust manifold bolts broken allowing exhaust gas to escape through the gaskets.
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. …
I have owned a 2003 Dodge Dakota v6 for the past 3 years and never had a problem until I took it to the dealership in union city ga yesterday for a routine oil change. After waiting 2 hours, they told me they were having a problem getting oil in the engine because there was sludge in the engine which was causing the oil to go in slowly. They recommended adding an oil additive. An hour later they returned my car to me. I started driving out of the lot my car was running rough. Two blocks later the oil light came on, engine started a little ticking and ran rougher. I turned around, driving about 5 MPH, barely made it back to the dealership. They said there was 6 qt of oil in the engine. They would have to start over. Half hour later, they came out and said now they had no oil pressure at all and they would had to remove the oil pan and maybe have to replace the oil plump and other parts. …
When the truck is started and allowed to warm up for approximately 3 to 4 minutes and then put into reverse the truck dies. I have had the truck back to the dealership 4 times now. They have told me that they are unable to get the problem to replicate. I know that this is not true because I have had the truck for three months and it has died every time I have put it into reverse. The last time they called me to tell me that they could not get the truck to die so I made a trip to the dealership and replicated the problem for them. The dealership then called Chrysler and Chrysler told them to put a "co-pilot" on the truck and hopefully that would catch the problem. I picked the truck up yesterday after they installed the co pilot and today when I went out to start it, died six times when I put it in reverse. …
Original owner of a 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4.7l v-8. It experienced sudden loss of oil pressure and catastrophic engine failure. Vehicle had only 60,745 miles on odometer, it should have been covered by Chrysler's 7yr/70,000 mile powertrain warranty but Chrysler refused to cover as with all the other similar complaints. How many of these engines have to fail before the government protects the consumer? This oil pump failure is a well known problem with Chrysler, but they refuse to cover any warranty claims for this problem. The engine is a defective design, these engines are failing at a very high rate. Speak with any engine remanufacturer and they will tell you about the design flaws of this engine and how many rebuilds they are selling to fix blown engines of consumers that have Chrysler vehicles with this 4.7l engine.
4x4 Dodge Dakota quad cab stalls periodically. Has stalled 12 times between the period 10/30/03 and 12/19/03. Dealership claims it cannot recreate. Usually occurs within a few minutes of starting. Typically has been at slow speeds (20 MPH or lower), but has occurred as high as 40 MPH. Typically restarts after sitting for a few minutes. Would not restart, however, after stall on 12/14/03. Currently on 5th service visit. Dealership tells me no error codes show up on the computer. I suggested installation of a co-pilot. After lengthy wait for a co-pilot (national backorder per Chrysler), event was recorded on co-pilot and has been sent to Chrysler. As of yet, no word on results of co-pilot data. I have begun arbitration process under mn lemon law to have vehicle replaced/repurchased.
I have a light knocking in my engine. The first time I took it to the dealer, they stated there was something wrong with the engine, but unable to indentify the problem. I took it back again. They had it for 3 days, and said there was nothing wrong with it. They say all Dodge engines make that noise. Unknown to them, I have 2 and my other does not make the same noise. It has occasionally stalled both backing up and going forward. There is a pulling to the right even after having it aligned and balanced. It does not shift properly and won't stay in cruise control while climbing a hill. Also my oil hose was loose causing a rattling under the hood. The light showing you the gear your in did not work properly. Over all the worse vehicle I have ever owned with a hefty tag.
On June 5, 2006 the engine light came on in our 2003 Dodge Dakota (approx. 25,500 miles). We took it to the Dodge dealership and they replaced a hose for the fuel line at a cost of approx. $250. On June 7, 2006 the engine light again came on and Dodge said an o2 sensor needed to be replaced (at a cost to us of approx. $300). With in the next 3 weeks our Dodge was in the shop 2 more times (for a total of 4 items in a month) due to the engine light coming on. The last time they told us the o2 sensor that was replaced was faulty and was the problem. This concerns me as the car was 5 weeks over the 3 year warranty so nothing was covered and the service we received at Dodge was the worst I have ever received.
Oil gauge dropped to 0 while driving. Stopped to check the oil and it was fine. Drove about 3 miles and the truck died. Every thing locked up and unable to start again. Towed it to the mechanics and he said that we had sludge. We changed the oil as recommended. The warranty said that they will not cover buying a new engine because it was our fault. I have the receipts to prove that we did the oil changes. They had poor customer service. What's the sense of getting the extended warranty if it won't help. Our truck has 50,000 miles.
Engine complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 12% of the model year's 296 complaints. The component named most often is engine (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Dakota engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
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.