AC & Heater complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the passenger seat overheated and caught fire. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V820000 (seats); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Haley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram airport (5400 s laburnum ave, richmond, va 23231, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. While driving at 40 MPH, the driver side heated seat burned through the seat, which left a burn stain on the contact's clothing. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab. Whenever the brake pedal was applied, the brakes would pulsate, overheat, and lock up. The stopping distance would also increase. The dealer stated that wet conditions and high speed braking caused the rotors to warp. In addition, the vehicle idles high and roughly when approaching a stop sign or traffic light. When accelerating from a stop or merging into traffic, the vehicle would idle roughly. There was no throttle response for approximately 10 to 20 seconds, but then the vehicle would surge forward. The vehicle has been taken to a dealer approximately five times for these issues, but the failures still persist. All the sensors were replaced, but the failure is becoming worse. The dealer replaced the front rotors three times and the contact replaced them four times. The current mileage was 132,655 and failure mileage was 5,000. …
Various problems with 2003 Dodge Dakota. There were backfires at times, the pedal would barely move at stop signs, when backing out, the vehicle would stay in second gear for a long period of time and the consumer would have to let off of the gas pedal then shift into high gear, sometimes the vehicle wouldn't shift into overdrive, then as soon as it started to misfire, the vehicle would drop to overdrive, the cruise control was inoperative, there was a whine and or howl in the rear differential around 50 MPH, the engine light would never come on, sometimes the shift lever would be placed in park and the vehicle would start, at times when shifting to reverse or drive, the vehicle would not move and the would have to be jerked around on the shift lever, the heater controls were inoperative, and there were noises when the lights on the radio were turned on. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the heater stopped working in the vehicle. The dealer stated that the heater fan resistors melted and the wiring harness connected to the heater needed to be replaced. The dealer further stated that this was a common failure for this year, make, and model. A year prior to the failure, the heat resistors were replaced. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 120,000.
When driving and/or while turning in either direction, the driver heard a popping noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice and was not able to determine the cause of the noise. After watching a tv report about the ball joints, the consumer suspected the problem May have been the ball joints. The consumer stated when the vehicle was placed in reverse, it did not engage. The air condition was inoperative.
2001 Dodge Dakota slipped out of park into reverse gear and was circling out of control. The vehicle eventually struck a concrete median and stopped. The driveshaft and other parts under the vehicle were damaged. This wasn't the first time the gear selector jumped out of gear. This vehicle was previously taken to maroone/Dodge service center to have the transmission checked where it sat to this day. Consumer stated it was a mechanical problem since they complained about this. They haven't obtained no information on their vehicle since it was towed to the repair shop. The A/C only worked on high due to a faulty blower motor resistor. The power steering made noise intermittently. The gas cap was loose which caused the check engine light to illuminate. The driver seat handle came apart
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH with the heater in activation and suddenly the heater failed to operate. In addition, there was a strong burning odor and smoke emitting into of the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised that the heater blower relay wires melted. The failure caused permanent damage to the heater blower relay. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.
Related recalls (1)
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks equipped with heated seats. These driver and passenger seats may develop hot spots that can result in the seat cushion or seat back having burn holes.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the seat heating system control features, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Dakota years have ac & heater problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (19), 2002 (13), 2005 (12), 1997 (9) and 1998 (9) model years. AC & Heater complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Dodge Dakota ac & heater problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 17V-820 (seat heater/cooler, Dec 20, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Dakota ac & heater problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the appliance › air conditioner (34 mentions), followed by the defroster/defogger/hvac system › heater core (17).
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.