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 2004 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 2004 Dakota quad 4x4 with 78K miles on it. I bought the truck new and have taken care of it. Most of the miles are highway and it has not been driven off road. Since its no longer under warranty I got online to research a diy solution. I found that many of the problems I have had and are having are not just being experienced by myself but other Dakota owners. 1) steering issues the steering wheel becomes extremely hard to turn at times both going into and coming out of a turn. This started happening in feb 2009 with 71K on it. It is much more prevalent in cold weather. I was unable to drive the truck until the weather warmed up. (I have not had this fixed yet.) 2) brake issues 27K I had to have the front rotors and the rear drums turned and new pads and shoes installed and had the brake fluid changed. …
Here's what I submitted to the Dodge website: last night I returned from my Dodge dealership after having new brake pads and new rotors installed. The vehicle is driving fine and the brakes are operating perfectly. The assistant service manager, wes, was helpful and professional. However, I don't think spending $900 on new rotors should be required after two years of operation and less than 50,000 miles. I am meticulous about maintenance and tire rotation. I do not ride the truck hard and all of my driving is country, not city, mileage. Even your Dodge personnel could not give me any reason why this would happen so soon. I am not a certified mechanic, but I believe there is something seriously wrong with either the design of the brakes or the materials or components used in the brake design. …
Loud thunking noise comes from the transmission when attempting to stop. Rep from Chrysler stated this was coming from the gas tank . There is a vibration between 30-45 MPH coming from the drive train. Rep stated this was "normal".there is also a loud whirring noise coming from the fuel pump. Rep also states this is normal.bearing nosie is coming from the power steering pump. My 2004 Dodge Dakota sxt has been to the dealer 5 times and the dealer still cannot fix. The rep from Chrysler stated this is the "best" truck Dodge has ever built. I'd hate to see the worst! So far the dealer has replaced the ac condenser, complete rack & pinion steering system, complete drive shaft, rear differential housing, rear swaybar links, the brakes shudder when attempting to stop , left front brake squeal, front end needed aligning after rack & pinion steering replacement . …
I own a 2002 Dodge Dakota [redacted]. I now have 40,000 miles on it. My front brakes (disc) needed to be replaced three times due to pulsating. This pulsating is attributed to rotors warping. The rotor warping is caused by too much heat friction in the front braking system. As a result, the rotors warp causing a substantial loss in braking power. The ball joints and control arms were also replaced under warranty because they were 'loose' and they made a clunking sound often. Since the parts were replaced, the same sound still occurs leading me to believe that the OEM parts are faulty. I do not use this vehicle for medium or heavy loads at any time; I do, however, use this vehicle under normal driving conditions in the capacity of a passenger vehicle. Updated 07/24/2012
At various times the brakes seem to lock up when coming to a stop quickly. This never happens when braking normally, only when needing to brake quickly and hard. Also happens at times during normal braking, but then needing to accelerate, then braking again quickly. This is dangerous in wet weather as the brakes lock momentarily and the tires hydroplane, it appears to be the rear brakes doing this, they release quickly but the momentary lock-up is dangerous. I took it to a mechanic who didn't find a cause for this, but said maybe the ABS was periodical failing, as it only happens sporadically; but usually when needing to brake hard as in an emergency. I've never received any recall orders on my vehicle and have lived at same address since purchase of vehicle.
While driving, heard clunking noise that seemed to come from under the vehicle. The outside of the vehicle appeared normal, including the wheels. I checked under hood and under front end and found nothing broken, missing or leaking and continued driving. The left front wheel later fell off with all studs sheared off. Also, one lug nut on the right front wheel was missing and several others were found to be loose, with several studs cracked. Both wheels had been properly installed and tighten some months earlier. To correct, the left front wheel was replaced. All studs on both front wheels and all lug nuts were replaced. Also, the front brake rotors and pads were replaced because the vehicle fell onto the left front rotor.
2004 Dodge Dakota with 14,000 miles truck <1year old front brake rotors warped not covered by Chrysler from searching the internet it appears this is an on going problem as numerious other individuals have reported the same problem in Dodge Dakota trucks. Rotors sould not warp in 14,00 mile s under normal driving conditions. This appears to be a material defect in the rotors. I have replaced brakes numerious times on other vehicles I have owned and never had this occur with so few miles.
Bought Dakota new jan,04 at 10000,15000,and 18000rotors were replaced for shake in tk when braking still has problem front hubs and bearings replaced has popping noise in front end when turning sometimes when applying brakes truck pulls to left front driveshaft and driver window regulater has been replaced also 2 sensors in trans replaced.temperature guage went all the way to hot 1 time when truck was started. Wish Dodge would just buy it back.my first and last Dodge ever.
Got Dodge Dakota 4x2 brand new. Brakes squealed after 6,000 miles, fixed under warranty. At 12,000 miles there was a loud clunking noise while turning, taken to dealership, said it was fixed. It was not fixed. At 14,000 miles, both tie rods snapped while making a turn from a complete stop. Fixed under warenty. Now at 15,000 miles, the clunking noise is back while brakes are applied and making turn. These cars are not safe to drive.
When brake rotors heat up the steering wheel shakes. At first shaking is minor not always noticeable. But as brakes heat and cool steering wheel shake becomes worse and happens every time brakes are applied. Severe steering wheel shake becomes difficult to control when braking. Chrysler states not a warranty item as brakes only covered for 12,000 miles and my complaint is an isolated incident.
Brake complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Dodge Dakota, 11% of the model year's 206 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Dakota brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Dodge Dakota, though it has 1 recall 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 2004 Dodge Dakota brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 72% 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.