2010 Dodge Dakota problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (12) · Power Train (7) · Steering (4)
🧭 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
22 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (7)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-15 · campaign 19V018000 · 1,413,222 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-09 · campaign 18V021000 · 328,177 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 55
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
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
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit 2013-02-06 · campaign 13V038000 · 278,674 vehicles
Defect: 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, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from Janua
Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Fix: 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 remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall option
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit 2012-10-02 · campaign 12V474000 · 44,300 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.
Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Equipment:electrical 2012-08-28 · campaign 12V420000 · 32 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Overheating of the battery separator can result in smoke and possible fire.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (53)
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
Electrical System 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Electrical System:wiring 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-27 · 9100196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lubrication and maintenance fluids if mopar fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review service library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used
Equipment 2022-04-02 · S2209000004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
if a mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds uscar36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant:filter/Screen 2022-03-30 · 9004509 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oil filter if a mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds uscar36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils. recommended brands: wix, purolator, and napagold
Showing the 6 most recent of 53 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-23 · Power Train“vehicle has experienced all dash waring lights & noises going on and off while driving threw multiple codes saying the pcm was not connecting with the odb2 reader , vehicle would not crank or start 2 times did a hard reset and it started, the end result is all dash lights luminated when key is on , no crank & no communication with the pcm, no code…”
2026-03-19 · Air Bags · 49,800 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge dakota. the contact received notifications of nhtsa campaign numbers: 18v021000 (air bags) and 15v313000 (air bags). the dealer was contacted for the recall repairs and was informed that parts were not yet available. the contact called the manufacturer and was informed that it would take a while for the parts to be obt…”
2021-03-15 · Vehicle Speed Control · 92,700 mi · 💥 crash“the roads were slick and i was traveling slow came over the crest of a small hill over bypass and headed down hill braking slowly i could tell it felt like i wasn't slowing down like i expected as i approached a vehicle ahead of me stopped at the traffic light,so i pumped the brakes twice and the engine roared and my truck raced forward and crashed…”
2020-06-06 · Power Train · 39,000 mi“rear pinon seal has deteriorated alongside similar dodge trucks within the same year of model, but the 2010 dodge dakota is not covered as well. *tr…”
2019-06-09 · Suspension · 65,000 mi“dodge dokata 2010. heater resistor overheats repeatedly. electrical smoke and burning smell repeatedly. very hot to touch. so overheated wires and resistor melts. resistor and wires replaced numerous times. same results. front ball joints keep going bad causing dangerous driving conditions. many resistor and ball joint complanta all over t…”
2018-06-25 · Engine · 140,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge dakota. while driving various speeds, the check engine and air bag warning indicators remained illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the temperature sensor, catalytic converter, and ecm code (engine) needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired; however, the fa…”
2018-04-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 34,847 mi“i took my truck to eastgate chrysler at 500 north shadeland ave. 46219 ph.# 317-352-7192 to have my airbag recall repaired and a wheel alignment, there wasn't anything wrong with my truck when i took it into them, on my way home i notice that the airbag light was flickering when i turned corner sometimes and 2 days later it stayed on and the cruise…”
2017-12-29 · Seat Belts · 60,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge dakota. while driving 65 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle. the vehicle veered to the left and flipped over. the air bags did not deploy. in addition, it was suspected that the harness strap of the driver's seat belt did not restrain the contact during the crash. a police report was filed. the contact su…”
2017-12-15 · Visibility/Wiper · 102,000 mi“takatarecall when attempting to engage the wiper washers, the blades move, but no washer fluid sprays on the window. sometimes the wipers work and sometimes they do not work and only resume working after i use the turn signal or push the washer stick. this happens while vehicle is stationary or moving. the washer pump was replaced with a new on…”
2017-10-25 · Air Bags“i took my 2010 dodge dakota to my local dealership (south hills dodge) on june 5th 2017 after receiving multiple recall notices about the r25 passenger airbag inflator. they told me they would have to order the part and i will have to wait until it arrives. i went there again a month later and it still never arrived. on oct 25th 2017 i went ther…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.