Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
*Incomplete Recall Status* ***Defect in transfer case*** Complaint of Manufacturer Defect in 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 3.7l v6. While driving at a speed of 30mph on a smooth paved highway and selector switch turned to 2 wheel drive mode; out of nowhere, the transfer case tried to engage 4 High which resulted in SVC 4X4 warning lamp illumination and a loud grinding/stuttering sound from under carriage as well as halting me to 10 mph without any help from me. after pulling over on the roadside and putting truck in park and turning the engine off, i waited a couple of minutes and SVC 4X4 indicator and 4High dash light had gone. I restarted the truck only to find that the SVC 4X4 Warning lamp immediately returned and now the 4lo illuminated dash light is constantly showing and truck is still showing in 2 wheel drive with selector switch but 4x4 will not engage at all now. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the wiring inside the driver's seat cushion burned holes in the fabric. The vehicle was taken to rairdons Chrysler Dodge of kirkland (12828 ne 124 th st kirkland, wa 98034), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a special investigator, but did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 81,000. Updated 10/26/17 updated 10/30/2017
Vehicle while on highway would flash 4lo on dash or illuminate svc 4wd. Vehicle at highway speeds would attempt to engage 4lo as well. While engaging, vehicle would lose acceleration and rpms would immediately increase. This would cause loss of control of the vehicle. With vehicle off and key removed, transfer case motor would try to change transfer case position. None of these symptoms occurred while 4wd was engaged using selector switch. Vehicle was taken to dealer for service. Codes recorded in computer were for transfer case position sensor being out of range. (both high and low values were recorded simultaneously) dealer originally found leads on fcm connector between wiring harness and pcb had corroded due to faulty sealant and were possibly shorting out. Manufacturer was made aware of fault. Manufacturer replaced fcm at no cost. …
I'm left with a dilemma. I own a 2005 Dodge Dakota 4x4. This vehicle has a problem where the transmission electronically switches from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive without the driver's consent. This is a well documented problem across the internet with other owners of this vehicle. We've known the transmission has had issues for a while, but (warranty company) has a theory of can't replicate it, won't fix it .and that is what occurred. On 3/23 while driving at 70mph, the vehicle attempted to electronically shift into 4lo from 2wd, a system that should only function under 20mph. It failed to engage, causing grinding noises from the transaxle case and a slow stop on side of interstate. Upon later inspection by a in network repair facility, the vehicle failed to produce a PCM code and mechanically could not be replicated in the 2 hrs at the shop. …
I turned on my heated seat, as I have done several times this winter. After approximately 15 minutes, I smelled something burning. I reached around the back of me as I was driving because a spot on my back was very heated. I actually stuck my finger through a hole in the seat that had burned through both the seat and my coat. (also my finger, at this point.) I immediately turned the heat off and went directly to the dealership. Their solution was to contact Chrysler's customer claims resolution center, who in turn inspected the vehicle and my coat on March 3, 2014. The next contact I had was a letter dated March 10 that stated, "the inspector found no indication of a manufacturing defect that caused or contributed to the incident..." I subsequently called their general office counsel and was told they would not be doing anything further and I should make a claim to my insurance agent. …
March , 2011, as I was in the front passenger seat, smoke filled the truck . We immediately stopped and I got out. The seat back was smoking and burning and a hole was burned in my coat. I reported this immediaely to Chrysler. It was investigated and Chrysler replaced the element and put a new seat cover on the seat back. I did not ask for reimbersment for the coat. On 12/27/11, the same seat , now the bottom, caught on fire. I immediately called Chrysler again, bought the truck for an inspection along with my new burnt coat. I received a letter this time saying that they found no defect. I asked for an explanation as to why it was not defective this time and was told that the decision was final and no explanation was necessary. I do not want heated seats and told them I didn't even want this seat fixed, just my coat replaced. …
The 4wd transfer case motor sometimes operates while the vehicle is off, after doors are unlocked with the key fob. The 4wd randomly & spontaneously attempts to engage at highway speeds without any 4wd-related indicator lights. There is a moment of resistance - like an extreme headwind, then a violent thud in the drivetrain when it disengages. At times there is a rolling pulsation in the drivetrain, as if the 4wd is attempting to engage over longer distances. Engaging 4wd unexpectedly at highway speed could cause catastrophic failure of the drivetrain, loss of vehicle control, and potentially serious accidents. This complaint is posted literally thousands of times on internet forums and should be investigated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that there was a continuous noise that progressed. Also, the motor failed and caused the vehicle to stall several times. The dealer and manufacturer stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under a manufacturer recall. The manufacturer provided no repair solution. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags) and the dealer had not been able to schedule the repair for months due to the manufacturer not being able to confirm when the parts May become available. The vehicle continued to randomly stall. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was serviced under an air bags manufacturers recall but when the vehicle was driven to the contact's residence, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back the dealer where the clock springs in the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
From about November 2010 until I delivered the truck to thornton road Chrysler Dodge to install recall p40, the airbag off and seat belt warnings, with or without a passenger, chimed and the warning lights lit up. Thornton road Chrysler installed recall p40 and recalibrated front seat sensors. After I left the dealer, before I was 100 yards from the parking lot, the warning chime and lights came on and they have not gone out since. I am too angry to call the dealer.
Electrical complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Dodge Dakota, 7% of the model year's 470 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Dakota electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 Dodge Dakota, though it has 6 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 2005 Dodge Dakota electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.