Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
1. While sitting in park on a automatic transmission. In a still position rolled front or back more than a couple inches. Had to step on brake while in park and had to block wheels when engine was off to keep from rolling. Emergency brake does not hold or work properly either. 2. The heater has only high position working now. The dash gets to hot to even keep heat on very long. Fuel cap with key. When getting fuel truck has to be turned off before pumping otherwise engine light comes on the dash and needs to be reset or driven miles before engine lightor goes back off.3. The upper ball joints had to replace twice now. Breaks had to replace twice also due to suspension being out of whack and problem above. Now there is noise in front driver side wheel area. 4. Put all new break lines on it because they kept blowing out. …
Truck will not shift properly when going up grade. Engine will rev at 4500-5000 RPM but will not shift until I slightly release the gas pedal. Truck will also perform multiple hard up shifts when in cruise control going up grade... Had the truck in for service 3 times. First time in May, 1 month after purchase, the dealer reprogrammed the computer with a "flash update" and adjusted throttle linkage. That was no help. Several months later I took it in for the same problem, and dealer found nothing wrong. The third time, January 2004, I took a technician for a test drive, and he agreed that the truck was not shifting properly. They replaced the "valve body" in the transmission and the problem has now gotten worse. They informed me that the truck is now having problem shifting out of park. …
I was caught in an ice storm in my 2003, Dodge Dakota, 4x4 quad cab. The truck went into a slight spin and bumped a small curb then slid up over the curb. I was only traveling at approx. 5 MPH when I bumped the curb. The axle sheared off and broke the hub, rotor, wheel, tire, and bent the axle housing. The truck was rendered undrivable and was towed to a Dodge dealership for repairs. I called daimlerchrysler and asked for the parts to be tested for defectiveness. I had seen several web sites devoted to axles put into Dodge trucks that were known to daimlerchrysler to be defective due to poor heat treating. I was treated very rudely and the problem was not addressed. Since the accident, I have had several mechanics and machinists look at this axle and all say that it should have never broken under the circumstances it was subjected to. …
After driving approx. 4 hours from fresno to reno on July 6, 2003 we were coming over interstate 80 at 70-75 MPH, when our truck slipped out of gear, making the truck sound as if it had downshifted. We pulled off the highway thinking the transmission overheated and checked fluid levels. They were fine. We got back on the highway and not 5 miles later it did the same thing again. We thought we might be stranded.the dealer could find nothing wrong with the trucks computer and could not find anything on its memory. We got the truck back with no repairs. Today, August 2, 2003, the transmission seemed to slip again at 70mph trying to pass a slower vehicle. Looking through the TSB's the transmission problems I discovered(overheating) stated every transmission on a 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab except the one in my vehicle a 45rfe. …
Truck shifts out of gear when stop and is left running. 1)events leading to the failure: stop to get some information on a neighborhood store, stop the truck shift the truck into park, open the door got out of the truck, close the door, as I was waking towards the front of the tuck and I was approximately 5? Feet away from the door of the truck started to move in reverse. I quickly chase the truck back, open the door jump into the truck (while the truck was moving) apply the brakes and stop the tuck. The shift indicator it showed that he truck was in park. 2) failures and consequences: if the truck start to move while you getting out of the truck the open door can push you down and kill you. If some one is behind the vehicle the person kill or the object/property damage. …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the key fob failed to lock and unlock the vehicle. Additionally, the driver's side master window control was also inoperable and the doors could not be locked or unlocked. The contact then started the engine and the 4-wheel drive warning light illuminated. The headlights and tail lights had also failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken the dealer for diagnosis where the dealer stated that the central timer module would need to be repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 02V322000 (exterior lighting) however, the contact was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The contact believed that the failure described in the recall was the same failure that had been experienced with his vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,000.
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.
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.
On October 20, 2005 I was driving my 2003 Dodge Dakota quad-cab 4wd pickup back from visiting a friend when I sustained a catastrophic failure of the transfer case. This resulted in a complete loss of motive power. Vehicle was towed to the nearest Dodge dealer and repaired. Dealer claimed case was struck by something (implying abuse) which is unsupported by any physical evidence. The dealer's position prevented repairs being made under warranty. Investigation by an independent shop identified the source of the damage to be the coupling between the front driveshaft and the transfer case. Daimlerchrysler refuses to acknowledge the factual cause and adheres to the dealer's (erroneous) position.
Transmission complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 13% of the model year's 296 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Dakota transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.