Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 7% | 48,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 9% | 85,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% | 67,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% | 115,000 miles |
| 2003 | 23 | 8% | 75,000 miles |
| 2002 | 21 | 3% | 82,000 miles |
| 2001 | 20 | 3% | 90,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 1999 | 7 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 1998 | 11 | 2% | 170,000 miles |
| 1997 | 6 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 1996 | 7 | 4% | — |
| 1995 | 5 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Many Dodge vehicle models experience failure of illumination for instrument clusters. This creates an unsafe condition for the driver since information presented at the instrument cluster, cannot be determined during night time driving conditions. Dodge makes no provision to customers for replacement or repair parts and does not provide any documentation through Dodge dealers on how to address this issue. It was determined that Dodge does not offer replacement instrument clusters to address this issue.
The backlighting on the instrument cluster is defective. Only a portion of the gauges are illuminated. Should this occur for the speedometer then driver will not have a way to determine vehicle speed during the nighttime hours.
Turn signal activates the wrong indicator. When the turn signal is set to a left turn, the right turn indicators flash, both on the dashboard and on the exterior signal lamps. From a web search, this is a relatively common problem stemming from a faulty switch in the steering column. This situation is far more dangerous than a situation where the exterior lamps are not working. Because the wrong indicator flashes, other driver can make erroneous decisions about the driver's intent, leading to a significantly higher probability of a crash. The symptoms are intermittent, but not linked to steering wheel position or the motion of the vehicle. There might be a correlation between relative humidity and the error - it has not occurred in the last 3 months of drought after it began on 8/31 until we had experienced a week of rain. …
The left turn signal works when it wants and when I turn it on the right turn signal comes on. The wipers and the headlights are currently going out or coming on by themselves. I have an error on the airbags (which have had the drivers replaced and currently awaiting the passengers, plus the new recall on the hose to the air bags). This issue started at around 120K miles. The fuses have been checked and passed. The bulbs-replaced. The situation is getting worse as the dash and interior lights do not work. The night lights went out when I was driving one night and do not drive after dusk anymore. All of this happens driving. The turns do it whether I am making a turn or pulling out or even testing them parked.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Dodge Dakota. He stated that the windshield wipers would operate intermittently. While driving at speeds of less than 60 MPH, in heavy rain conditions, the windshield wipers failed to operate. He also stated that the turn signals would fail intermittently. There were no recalls and no repairs were made, to date. The failure and current mileages were under 48,000. The VIN was not available.
Multifunction switch had a internal fault the dealer replaced it on 12/30/09 the switch had to be replaced 2 weeks later because the switch replacement switch was bad. In 2010 after the truck out of warranty I had to replace it again. Now on 01/25/2012 the switch failed again which causes the turn signal to function incorrect ( left will turn on right, right will not work all or right will turn on left).
I took my vehicle to my mechanic because my dash light stopped working. He said that there was a recall for the instrument panel and the recall should cover 2006 models. When we run the VIN number it does not show for my vehicle but there was a recall for all other 2006 Dodge durango because it is a fire risk. Can you please see if there is any way that my vehicle just got missed.
In using signal lights, turn left signal on to turn and the right dash signal indicator as well as right signal light flash. If I move the tilt steering position up and then back down the lights function properly. This has happened several times. It sounds like something in the steering wheel is rubbing whenever one turns the wheel. The previous owner bought the truck new and it happened to him several times as well. Also the ball joints were all replaced by previous owner at less than 30,000 miles. Now at 55,000 miles the struts, shock absorbers, rear stabilizer links and quite possibly sway bar links front and rear need to be replaced.
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
On certain pickup trucks, the central timer module (ctm) has an improperly sized circuit board trace that could potentially cause the right headlamp low beam to become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ctm. Owner notification began December 23, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Dakota years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (23), 2002 (21), 2001 (20), 1998 (11) and 2006 (9) model years. Headlight complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Dodge Dakota headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 02V-322 (switch, Dec 2, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Dakota headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (22 mentions), followed by the headlights › switch (16).
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.