Most common 2011 Dodge Dakota problems
Share of the 44 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 →
2011 Dodge Dakota recalls (6)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
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.
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30,…
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for…
Equipment › Electrical
NBC Truck Equipment, Inc. (NBC) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 and model year 2010-2011 trucks equipped with Sure Power battery separator devices, due to overheating.
Remedy: NBC will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the battery separators free of charge. The safety recall began November 26, 2012. Owners may contact NBC Truck Equipment, Inc. at 1-586-774-4900.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 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 2011 Dodge Dakota owners say
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 05V313000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable time for repair. The dealer stated that the manufacturer provided ten parts per week. The dealer placed the contact on a waiting list. The contact was also involved in a crash in which the driver and passenger frontal air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The failure mileage was 46,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the check engine and air bag warning indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V313000 and 16V352000 (air bags). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,329. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Transmission & drivetrain
Case nunber:[redacted]. I contacted you 12/04/15 concerning brakes on this truck and I also told you that every time I would try an discuss this issue with efird Chrysler florence, sc they would tell me the brakes are antilock system and it was normal for them to make noise when applied for emergency stopping. I took this truck back 12-10-15 and told them about the near accident my wife and I had on 12-01-15 making an emergency stop. This truck (traveled 15ft.) after applying the brakes before it started braking to stop this vehicle and we were 3ft. Away from making contact with another vehicle. Now to me this is serious and we are afraid of this vehicle in emergency stops. It has had poor stopping before but never like this. I contacted Chrysler several times about the problem with the brakes but, contacting Chrysler you can get into a lot of conversation but not much action. …
Case number: [redacted] /this truck has never stopped safely since I purchased it new (02-07-2011/ mileage now 28455). When you have to make an emergency stop it might or might not bring it to a stop. Last week my wife and I tried to avoid a collision when a car made a quick turn in front of us and then this car had to make a quick stop. When we applied the brakes it made a very rough sound under front end...(as usual...but traveled 15 ft. Before it applied the brakes... And we were only 3ft. Away from a serious accident). I have discussed this brake problem on many occasions when I would take it in for service with the people who check me in but,...they always tell me the brakes are bunny hopping and this is normal for the new trucks and there is nothing wrong with them...(but never check them out to make sure). …
Brakes
Case nunber:[redacted]. I contacted you 12/04/15 concerning brakes on this truck and I also told you that every time I would try an discuss this issue with efird Chrysler florence, sc they would tell me the brakes are antilock system and it was normal for them to make noise when applied for emergency stopping. I took this truck back 12-10-15 and told them about the near accident my wife and I had on 12-01-15 making an emergency stop. This truck (traveled 15ft.) after applying the brakes before it started braking to stop this vehicle and we were 3ft. Away from making contact with another vehicle. Now to me this is serious and we are afraid of this vehicle in emergency stops. It has had poor stopping before but never like this. I contacted Chrysler several times about the problem with the brakes but, contacting Chrysler you can get into a lot of conversation but not much action. …
Case number: [redacted] /this truck has never stopped safely since I purchased it new (02-07-2011/ mileage now 28455). When you have to make an emergency stop it might or might not bring it to a stop. Last week my wife and I tried to avoid a collision when a car made a quick turn in front of us and then this car had to make a quick stop. When we applied the brakes it made a very rough sound under front end...(as usual...but traveled 15 ft. Before it applied the brakes... And we were only 3ft. Away from a serious accident). I have discussed this brake problem on many occasions when I would take it in for service with the people who check me in but,...they always tell me the brakes are bunny hopping and this is normal for the new trucks and there is nothing wrong with them...(but never check them out to make sure). …
2011 Dodge Dakota engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Dodge Dakota a good car?
Based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Dakota rates better than average: 80% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Dakota at the same age. It is one of the best Dakota years by this measure. 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 2011 Dodge Dakota?
The air bags — 18 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (8) and brakes (6).
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Dakota have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2011 Dodge Dakota, the most recent from January 15, 2019 (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 2011 Dodge Dakota problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 42,000 miles; 64% 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.