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 2007 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Dodge Dakota. While the vehicle was engaged in park, it rolled away without warning. The rear of the vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. Due to the failure, the vehicle sustained damage to the tail lights and bumper. The contact stated that his wife sustained a back injury that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed or taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,850.
Vehicle: 2007 Dodge Dakota st club cab, 2wd, 3.7l v6, 42 rle automatic trans problem: at road speeds of 34-50 MPH the vehicle shudders, vibrates, and sounds as though on a rumble strip. My research indicates that the powertrain control module has an error that incorrectly tells the torque converter to start the lock up range at too low an RPM, resulting in the engine and torque converter to not be synched correctly. This problem began shortly after I'd bought the truck at 71,100 miles. I'm at 71,500 miles now. The remedy is as little as reprogramming the PCM flash to as much as replacing the PCM, the torque converter, and transmission. I fear that the problem could result in catastrophic failure of the drive train components in a way that could result in a vehicle crash. There are two technical service bulletins of which I'm aware on the matter.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that after pulling her vehicle in driveway, she left the vehicle on to unload supplies. When she turned the ignition off, the vehicle began to roll backwards striking the contact. She could not move away from door before the vehicle began to drag her running over her left arm. Daimler Chrysler sent an inspector to investigate the failure and he stated that no manufacturer defect would cause transmission , shifter or braking problems. The dealer stated that since the vehicle was idling it caused the failure. The current and failure mileages were 5,400. Updated 04/16/08 updated 04/16/08
Tl contact owns a 2007 Dodge Dakota clubcab 4x2. When the contact attempted to shift into reverse, the gear became stuck in first gear. He was unable to change gears. He inspected the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the engine. A few minutes later, the vehicle caught fire and burned to the ground. Fire and police reports were filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The current and failure mileages were 28,000. The consumer stated he was towing a boat out of the water. Smoke emitted from the hood and minutes later the vehicle exploded. The consumer stated the transmission overheated. Updated 06/12/09.
On my 2007 Dodge Dakota, vehicle randomly engages 4wd mode without warning, causing momentary loss of control. My vehicle has done this twice so far, once at highway speeds. In addition, when vehicle enters 4wd drive mode, tight steering and other handling limitations exist, causing further possibility of losing control of the vehicle. There are several similar complaints regarding this defect on the NHTSA site, as well as searching google will indicate hundreds of Dodge owners with similar experiences. This defect is a critical safety concern.
I purchased a 2007 used Dodge Dakota still under factory basic warranty. The test drive was fine and we did not hear any noise coming from the transmission while the windows were up. We took the vehicle home and I had turned off the radio and rolled down the window to put the truck in reverse and all of a sudden I experienced a loud bang, and grind noise. I thought nothing of it and the next day I heard the same but then also the automatic transmission would not go into gear right away and started hesitating while going form park to reverse and vise versa (reverse to park). I took the truck to the Dodge dealer and they said it was common form the transmission to do that and did not bother to run a diagnostic on the truck. They just put the car through its gears and heard the noises and experienced the hesitation in the transmission and said it was normal. …
To whom it May concern, I want to inform this organization and future people whom would want to buy a 1/2 ton adodge Ram or Dakota to reserch it first. I took my 2007 Dodge Dakota 4x4 to the dealer with just over 60,000 miles due to the rear end making noise. The dealer found 1 retainer clip that holds the clutch packs to fail prematurely and cause servere damage to the rear differential. I need to replace the pinion bearings, carrier bearings, and clutch pack along with the same retainer clips that will break in another 60,000 miles or less. When I took my Dakota to the dealer and explained to them my symptoms of rear end noise, they exactly knew what I was talking about. They told me they seen this on multiple Dodge half ton trucks and dakotas. I asked if there was a recall, and they said Chrysler knows about it and will not issue one. …
Driver pulled truck into slightly inclined driveway and shifted into park. Vehicle was idling. Both driver side and passenger side windows were open. Driver put driver side power window up. The button to raise the passenger window from driver side does not work. So driver got out of vehicle, left the driver side door open and walked around rear to get to passenger side. Passenger window was open. Driver unlocked passenger door, opened it, and put power window up. Driver left passenger door open as there was something on the seat to pick up once vehicle was off. Driver walked back around vehicle. As the driver was approaching the driver side to turn the vehicle off the vehicle started drifting backwards. Driver tried to stop vehicle but momentum was too strong. Open passenger door struck wooden mailbox post and vehicle stopped. Vehicle drifted approximately 8-10 feet. …
I purchased a 2007 Dodge Dakota quad cab in August of 2007. Before the 1st service o my vehicle, my wife stated that the transmission would not shift out of 2nd into drive. For her to correct this problem she had to pull to the side of road, stop the motor and restart the truck. She took it to the dealer service department and informed them of the problem. They told her that they could not duplicate the problem. When I drove the truck I encountered the same problem, along with the turn signals when cancelled will flash an each side and the wipers would jump. I informed the dealer myself that this was an intermittent problem and was told to call a wrecker and pull over to the side of the road. In heavy traffic it can not be safe to pull over leave the truck running and hope that the wrecker driver does not turn off motor before hauling to service department.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Dodge Dakota. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the motor would rev, but the transmission would not engage correctly. The vehicle would barely move when it was shifted into drive or reverse. The issue occurred each time the vehicle was operated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer over three times and they stated that there was an ongoing failure, but they were unable to provide a remedy. The manufacturer informed him to take his vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that they would attempt to work something out. They later called back and stated that nothing could be done. A claim was filed with the manufacturer. The current mileage was approximately 22,000 and failure mileage was approximately 5,000. Updated 03-06-09 updated 03/09/09.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 MPH and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on October 2, 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Transmission complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Dodge Dakota, 17% of the model year's 145 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Dodge Dakota transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-341 (automatic transmission, Sep 7, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Dodge Dakota transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 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.