2005 Dodge Dakota problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (126) · Power Train (45) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (26)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Dakota model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
328 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler 2017-12-20 · campaign 17V820000 · 16,900 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: The hot spots and burn holes can injure the seat occupant and can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is T80.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2016-05-24 · campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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 Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-201
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants
Fix: 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. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2015-05-26 · campaign 15V313000 · 4,077,169 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time,
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-782
Air Bags 2014-12-03 · campaign 14V770000 · 250,896 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Sam
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded
Service bulletins (64)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Power Train 2021-04-07 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission kit with torque converter 1. all promaster (vf) 3.6l/62te equipped vehicles. if the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (part number 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Power Train 2021-03-31 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission kit with torque converter 1. all promaster (vf) 3.6l/62te equipped vehicles. if the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (part number 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Power Train 2021-03-10 · 9004350 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
gear motor, transfer case the gear motor assembly is shipped in awd/2wd position. the transfer case needs to be positioned in awd/2wd position to properly assemble gear motor to t-case. please reference star online publication s2121000003 for further details. do not have the transfer case in in ano
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-03-10 · 9004350 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
gear motor, transfer case the gear motor assembly is shipped in awd/2wd position. the transfer case needs to be positioned in awd/2wd position to properly assemble gear motor to t-case. please reference star online publication s2121000003 for further details. do not have the transfer case in in ano
Power Train 2021-03-04 · S2121000003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transfer case gear motor/actuator installation guidelines.
Showing the 6 most recent of 64 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-20 · Structure:frame And Members · 81,892 mi“the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the vehicle had been shipped to them. while the vehicle was parked, the contact inspected the vehicle and observed that the frame was severely corroded. the contact also noted that the frames of all the vehicle doors were corroded as well. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…”
2026-02-11 · Air Bags“seat belt light turn on and off since i own the truck. …”
2023-04-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper · 25,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated, pulled to the right, with a burning odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle. the contact inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the caliper had failed. the calipers had been replaced six times; however, the failure persisted and …”
2022-03-13 · Suspension“*incomplete recall status* ***defect in transfer case*** complaint of manufacturer defect in 2005 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4 3.7l v6. while driving at a speed of 30mph on a smooth paved highway and selector switch turned to 2 wheel drive mode; out of nowhere, the transfer case tried to engage 4 high which resulted in svc 4x4 warning lamp illuminati…”
2021-04-14 · Air Bags“got truck smogged 4/13/2021 and was told of an outstanding recall for airbag. this recall was fixed on 11/13/2015. attached are copies of notice of recall after getting truck smogged and pages 1 and 2 of invoice showing repair on 11/13/2015. how do we get this updated in the system so it will not show up again when we get truck smogged next time? …”
2021-03-10 · Structure:body · 189,000 mi“while driving on i-635 northbound at around 25 to 30 mph with 4x4 activated on a single line available since it was cleared and salted. without warning i was the only vehicle that veered right hard and i lost control of the vehicle almost crashing onto the metal beam along the highway. i went past the shoulder and down to the bottom of hill, but th…”
2021-02-12 · Air Bags · 112,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated while driving 45 mph, a unknown vehicle crashed into the vehicle. the air bags failed to deploy. the contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries however no medical attention was provided. a police report was filed. the vehicle was able to be driven from the scene. the local dealer was n…”
2021-02-03 · Power Train · 118,000 mi“while truck is sitting in park no keys in it, obviousiy not running you can hear the 4wd activating, also when driving in 2wd the 4wd light starts to flash trying to engage.…”
2020-06-29 · Service Brakes · 171,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owned a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated that while reversing into the driveway when the contact attempting to apply the brakes when the brake pedal floored failing to stop the vehicle. the contact applied the emergency brakes and looked under the hood of the vehicle where they noticed a burning odor. the contact shortly notice…”
2020-03-18 · Power Train · 200,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start or park with the gear shifter in the park position. the vehicle was only able to start or park when placed in neutral. no warning light was illuminated. the contact spoke with chapman las vegas dodge chrysler jeep ram located at (3175 e sahara ave, las veg…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.