RoadVitals

2005 Dodge Dakota Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Mar 20, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 470 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Dodge Dakota submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Mar 20, 2026

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, where it was not formally diagnosed; however, the mechanic informed the contact that the frame was severely corroded, the vehicle was structurally compromised, and they were unsure whether the vehicle could be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,892.

NHTSA ID
11725826
Incident
Mar 20, 2026
Mileage
81,892 mi
Body & structureInterior & seatsPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2021

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 THANKFULLY VEHICLE DIDN'T TURN OFF. I HAD TO SWITCH OFF 4X4 AND BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO CLIMB UP DESPITE THE SNOW BACK TO THE HIGHWAY WITH NO FURTHER REOCCURRENCE. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN THIS HAPPENED MY PASSENGER SEAT WENT FORWARD AND IS NOW STUCK AND I BROKE LEVER TRYING TO BRING IT BACK FROM FRONT RECLINING. BECAUSE OF THE ROUGH TERRAIN THE REAR QUARTER PANELS WHERE THE WAS SOME RUST HAVE CRACKED

NHTSA ID
11400268
Incident
Feb 8, 2021
Mileage
189,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 25, 2016

PAINT BUBBLING ON TOP OF WINDSHIELD DRIVER AND PASSENGER LEAKING WATER INTO CAB. WINDSHIELD MAY FALL OUT.

NHTSA ID
10851704
Incident
Mar 15, 2016
Mileage
67,679 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 28, 2016

SEVERE FRAME AND BODY RUST!

NHTSA ID
10838823
Incident
Feb 8, 2011
Body & structureEngine
Filed Nov 11, 2015

FRONT END RUSTED SO BADLY THE RADIATOR IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. SEE PICTURES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID
10789814
Incident
Nov 1, 2015
Mileage
71,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jan 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE URETHANE HAD LOOSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 2/26/14*CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE WINDSHIELD WAS LOOSE ALL THE ACROSS THE TOP, DOWN BOTH SIDES. THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS LOOSE ABOUT 8 INCHES ON EACH SIDE. UPDATED 03/13/14

NHTSA ID
10559645
Incident
Jan 9, 2014
Mileage
98,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesPowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed Mar 1, 2009

I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SLT. I PURCHASED IT IN 10/2005. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT IT. RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACED THE TIRE RODS, SWAY BAR AND LINKAGE, BRAKES, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS. TWO DAYS AFTER I HAD ALL OF THESE THINGS FIXED I NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK WAS STILL SHAKING AND MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. WHEN I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO DODGE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE IN THE TRUCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED THE WRONG SIZE AXLE WAS PUT IN THE TRUCK. THIS CAUSED ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT OTHER PARTS ARE DAMAGED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AND REPAIRED.(REAR BRAKE SHOES, FRONT DISC ROTORS) I WAS TOLD THAT THE AXLE PART IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT I HAVE TO PAY THE $100 DEDUCTIBLE. I WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS DAMAGED (DUE TO THE AXLE) AND REQUIRES REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF SOMEWHERE AROUND $400. (DEPENDING ON LABOR) MY COMPLAINT IS SIMPLE, I AM BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR DAMAGED PARTS ON MY TRUCK THAT ARE DIRECTLY CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURES ERROR. A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE PROVED TO BE THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT. I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HAD THE WRONG AXLE INSTALLED. WHICH THEN CAUSED ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE MANUFACTURES MADE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THEY DID NOT. THEY SOLD ME A TRUCK WITH THE WRONG PART INSTALLED. NOT ONLY IS THIS WRONG BUT THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS. IF THE WRONG SIZE AXLE IS IN MY TRUCK, THERE ARE OTHER TRUCKS THAT ALSO HAVE THE WRONG SIZE AXLE INSTALLED. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SUSPICIOUS. I THINK IT IS EVEN SAFE TO SAY THAT IT IS FRAUD TOO! SELLING TRUCKS THAT HAVE THE WRONG PARTS INSTALLED AND THEN MAKING PROFIT FROM THE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS. SOUNDS LIKE FRAUD TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260349
Incident
Feb 23, 2009
Body & structure
Filed Jul 21, 2005

2005 DODGE DAKOTA, HAS SEVERE SHUDDER WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH. JUST HAD IT RETURNED FROM THE SHOP SAYING THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH IT. WILL BE TAKING IT BACK NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER CHECKUP. BRAKES PULSATE ANYTIME YOU APPY THEM AT THOSE SPEEDS. DEALER CHECK ALL THE BRAKES AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS

NHTSA ID
10129572
Incident
Jul 17, 2005
Mileage
500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 18, 2005
2 injuries reported

DODGE DAKOTA 2005 QUAD CABS HAS 2 FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDERS FOR PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT ON FLOOR, BECUAE OF THERE LOCATION THEY HAVE CAUSED ME TO BREAK MY WRIST WHEN I LOADED ITEMS IN MY BACK SEAT WHEN SEATS ARE FOLDED UP, ALSO THEY CAUSED MY DOG TO BREAK TWO TOES IN HIS PAW WHEN HE JUMPED IN BACK SEAT, THEY ARE IN A STUPID LOCATION AND CREATE A HAZARD ,. THEY ARE USELSS FEATURE NOT NEEDED.

NHTSA ID
10129069
Incident
Jul 17, 2005
Mileage
1,005 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .