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 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 transmission caught on fire while the vehicle was parked. The wiring harness and alarm system were burned. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. In addition, while the vehicle was in reverse, the gear shifter would shift into park or neutral. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The 2005 Dakota began showing a service light on the dashboard instrument panel, indicating to service the 4-wheel drive system. Service light was intermittent but frequent, and continues today!. Four wheel drive gears would engage and disengage on there own, and the 4-wheel drive selector switch proved useless to disengage the 4-wheel drive upon choosing the various settings. Upon turning off the vehicle and exiting with the vehicle in park, the transfer case can be heard attempting to engage the 4-wheel drive gears, even with the key in the off position and after a number of seconds have passed. …
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. …
Shifting on its own. My truck has 75,186 miles on it and has always been well maintained. For the past 10,000 miles or so, it has been shifting in and out of 4 wheel drive and lo 4x4 randomly by itself without any human interaction. Even sitting parked you could hear it cycling and shifting electronically in and out of 4x4. I recently parked it in a grass field near a pond and left it - was working fine when I pulled in. Came back about an hour later, got in, started it and tried to go... Nothing at all. It had shifted into neutral (red "n" lighted) and it would not shift into any gear forward or reverse. Rolled freely now both directions. Had to get it towed out of the field and up to the roadway and then another company to come load it and tow it to the shop. Searched online - there are many similar instances about this vehicle shifting in and out of gears randomly on its own. …
Mine is the 2005 Dodge Dakota extra cab and the exhaust manifold bolts breaking/shearing at the engine block. This can cause (and it has) a ticking sound that gets louder as you accelerate. Once you hear the ticking sound, both sides of the engine are affected. This results in poor mileage, overheating, engine will stall at low idle, ultimately allowing exhaust fumes to enter the cabin, potentiallu, poisoning the occupants with carbon monoxide fumes. I took this vehicle to the dealer to have then replaced. The 1st dealer said it wasn't repairable. 2nd one said, 1400 $ per side to extract broken bolts at the rear of the exhaust manifold on both sides of my 4.7 . 3rd repair shop told me this very common on the 4.7 and he does about 10 a week. His price was 350 $ per size plus gasket and doughnut gasket at the collector. Hey! …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the four wheel drive function was activating and deactivating without warning while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics who were not able to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was to be taken to a dealer to inspect and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags) and was waiting for the dealer to schedule the repair. They indicated that they would schedule an appointment when the part was available, but did not follow up for weeks. The contact was unable to determine when the recall repair would be completed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Transmission slips in and out of 4 wheel drive on its own. When I hit a bump in the road the service 4 wheel drive light comes on, hit another bump and it goes off. While sitting in my driveway truck has been shifting in and out of 4 lo by its self, this has happened while the truck was off, and while the truck was running. This has happened now about 10 times in the last week. Then on Saturday, 06/11/2016 when pulling into my driveway, making a left hand turn, truck went into 4 lo by itself, I had to put the truck in reverse to get it out of 4 lo. After doing some research on this issue on the internet I hit the reset button on the 4 wheel drive switch, truck ran fine for 1/2 day, when I stopped to check my mail the truck went in and out of 4 lo by its self 3 times.
Came to a stop behind 2 vehicles in left turn lane. When traffic light green arrow came and accelerated there was a loud bang and truck would not move. Car behind skidded to a stop to avoid truck. Tried reverse and drive with no affect then looking under truck ther was rear differential oil puddling under center pumpkin. Group of people helped pushed truck into lot backwards since would roll forward. Towed back to work and inspected next day 8/3/19 and pinion nut had backed off. Pulled diff cover and found several chunks of metal from damage. Build date 08/04 152,000 miles with 9 1/4 rearend. Apparently there was a recall on the Ram 1500 with same rear end and within this build date. Would not the Dakota also be included? L
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft May be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle May not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on November 28, 2005.
Transmission complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Dodge Dakota, 17% of the model year's 470 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Dakota transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-460 (automatic transmission, Oct 6, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Dakota transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 3 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.