Most common 2008 Dodge Dakota problems
Share of the 91 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Dakota complaints by model year
Best Dakota years: 2009, 2010, 2011. Years to avoid: 2000, 2001, 2002, 1999, 1998. Compare all years →
2008 Dodge Dakota recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Dodge Dakota:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2008 Dodge Dakota owners say
Air bags all 29 →
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Dakota clubcab 4x2. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a single car head-on crash in which the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. One person was reported injured. The vehicle was totaled. The vehicle had not been inspected for the cause of failure at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were approximately 40,000.
I was going down fort sill blvd and I rear ended another truck. I was going roughly 40 to 45 miles per hour. My entire front end was completely smashed in, yet my air bags still didn't deploy?? This is he second accident that they didn't deploy. I have several photos of my trucks front end and the inside showing that the air bags didn't deploy.
Steering
My father had taken this truck into the dealership multiple times for front end noises. He passed 3 months ago, and the truck became mine. Once I got it, I took it into the shop to have it looked over. They informed me the front suspension was ready to fall out of it at 66K miles. We had the front suspension fixed and it still makes suspicious noises. I believe there are probably more 08's out there that have this problem, so I think the 08 Dakota's should be included in the newest Dodge recall. The entire time my father owned this truck, he repeatedly took it to the dealership saying something was wrong with the suspension. I'm sure key Chrysler in new carlisle oh has records of these visits and his complaints. It's a shame he didn't live to see this recall, he would have felt vindicated. The 2008 Dodge Dakota should be included in this recall.
As I start the truck, it kicks when I shift to drive and start to accelerate. I took it to a dealer near me when there was a recall for the rack and pinion and they did not find anything. The truck keeps doing the kick or jumps gears. Maybe the problem is in the cable or the shifter. It keeps doing this to this day and getting worse. Now I have to move the shifter to drive and put it back to park to start the truck. Also the ignition stays on sometimes when the key is removed and this drains the battery. The truck seems to use way to much gas for the driving I do. My job is less than five miles from my house and it uses a lot of gas about 10.00 every day for such a short distance.
Brakes
Ref mfr recall 870- NHTSA recall 00v-193. Brake line leaking from rubbing against power steering hose. Contacted local dealer (m&l Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, lexington nc) was told they had the brake line but not part #cbed6701 and could not repair under recall but could sell me a brake line, referred me to customer service @ [phone]. They took information and said they had to check with dealer. I have heard nothing after 10 days from dealer or customer service. Meanwhile I have to add brake fluid to keep from losing my brakes when they have the brake line to fix the problem but say I will have to pay for it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Dakota. While driving 20 MPH, the brakes were dragging and caused the vehicle to bounce. The contact stated that the calipers were sticking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 02/05/16 updated 05/02/18
2008 Dodge Dakota engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 20 / 18 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Dakota a good car?
Based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Dakota rates better than average: 60% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Dakota at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Dodge Dakota?
The air bags — 29 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (17) and brakes (11).
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Dakota have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2008 Dodge Dakota, the most recent from May 24, 2016 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Dakota?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2010 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 2001, 2002, 1999 and 1998. See the full Dodge Dakota years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Dakota problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 47% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.