Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the rear of the vehicle aggressively swayed to the left without warning. The driver lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a ditch and the vehicle rolled over several times. The contact stated that the rear axle detached from the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to the face, chest, stomach, leg, and feet areas. Medical attention was not needed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.
Issue I am fighting now. At speeds between 55 - 75 intermittently the truck will begin to vibrate. If you take your foot off the gas it gets worse. If you then apply the brakes the steering wheel begins to shake almost violently, and the brake pedal pulses. If I slow down to about 30 MPH it stops and May happen again quickly or May not happen again for a while. I have replaced the rotors and calipers and tie rod ends and gotten an alignment. Still the issue exists. I have new Michelin tires. I have also already had to replace lower ball joints and front wheel bearings. I have replaced the rotors and calipers 3 times already on this truck. It has less than 13000 miles on it. No one seems to be able to figure out what the problem is. I will never, ever buy another Chrysler / Dodge product. This was my first and will be my last.
While entering highway (40mph) my vehicle went into an uncontrollable spin that resulted in minor impact damage with brush and ditch. When I removed the flat tire (left front), I found that the sway bar link had snapped. This 2005 Dodge Dakota only has 58,00 miles and has never been used for anything other than house hold chores and local driving. I found many complaints through on-line forums about these sway bar links, but Dodge has no recall posted. This incident could have resulted in a much worse accident had there been other vehicles or pedestrians on or beside the road when my vehicle went out of control. I cannot prove, but believe that the sway bar failure caused my spin-out and that Dodge should be held accountable for resultant damages.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. While driving 20 MPH, the contact heard a bang and lost control of the vehicle. He struck two parked vehicles. The driveshaft was pulled out at the scene and there was transmission fluid on the ground. A police report was filed. The rear passenger side leaf spring snapped off. The contact called the manufacturer's warranty service and was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer because it was still under warranty. Because the vehicle was in a crash, the contact's insurance company instructed him not to go to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were approximately 12,000. Updated 09/10/08 updated 09/11/08
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while making a left turn at approximately 5 MPH, the front passenger side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front end needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After the repair, the front end aluminum clamps that held the stabilizer bar fractured. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the clamps fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000. The VIN was not available.
I took my 2005 Dakota to repair shop because of clunking noise on front drivers side. Noise was heard when driving or rocking the truck when it was parked. Repair shop said lower ball joint completely failed and was riding on lower control arm instead of supported by ball joint. Upper ball joint was also bad. Passenger side upper ball joint worn out and lower ball joint boot was cracked. All tie rod ends also needed to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. While driving at low speeds down a mountain, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle while braking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver side tie rod and hub assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,105.
Around 50,000 miles upper and lower ball joints making popping sounds. Took to local repair shop . Replaced all 4 , then popping stopped. Way to early for ball joint replacement. Occured while moving 5 MPH and turning either direction.
To whom it May concern: I was referred to you by www.carcomplaints.com.they felt that what I had to say May be safety related. I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota 4x4. I bought this truck new. Starting in May of 2010 I started to hear a clunking noise in the front, or maybe rear end, only when I turn left or right.I have been to 3 garages and the last one being a dealership. I have replaced both lower ball joints, both front stab links, both tie rods,both rear stab links, and as recent as this sept.,both leaf springs. The truck still has the same noise and I'm out 2000.00. The dealer doesn't even know what's wrong. Now, all this happened before the truck turned 50,000. Miles. I know it's out of warranty. I also,know now, the manufacturer's have studies on how long a vehicle is to last in order for the consumer to give it a passing grade as to by it again. …
Suspension complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Dodge Dakota, 11% of the model year's 470 complaints. The component named most often is front (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Dakota suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.