2005 Dodge Dakota Owner Complaints

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

Seat belt light turn on and off since I own the truck.

NHTSA ID

11717376

Incident

Jan 1, 2013

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 became more frequent. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11515548

Incident

Apr 5, 2020

Mileage

25,000 mi

*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 illumination and a loud grinding/stuttering sound from under carriage as well as halting me to 10 mph without any help from me. after pulling over on the roadside and putting truck in park and turning the engine off, i waited a couple of minutes and SVC 4X4 indicator and 4High dash light had gone. I restarted the truck only to find that the SVC 4X4 Warning lamp immediately returned and now the 4lo illuminated dash light is constantly showing and truck is still showing in 2 wheel drive with selector switch but 4x4 will not engage at all now. Took to a mechanic shop 1/2 mile down the road and had it read for any DTCs and inspected. Code came back as C1404. Transfer case still tries to engage as soon as truck door is opened and dome light comes on. SVC 4X4 warning indicator stays on the dash lit up and 4lo warning light flashes non stop. Manufacturers communication letter has been sent to dealerships for the proper installation steps of the transfer case on the model of my truck due to improper positioning. I have noticed no Recall but have found a Campaign ID listed for this issue. I've owned this truck for only DAYS now with the intention of presenting it to daughter for her 16th birthday next month and now there's a BIG concern here for safety and the fact that a recall hasn't been issued is crazy! ....it's completely absurd and should be escalated immediately until a consumer resolution is made. This truck is NOT safe at all with this defect by manufacturer transfer case! I am demanding that this faulty part be investigated and taken considerable responsibility for just for the amount of time allowed to pass!!

NHTSA ID

11456536

Incident

Mar 9, 2022

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? Consumer stated vehicle has been repaired and no longer needs to be contacted.*JB

NHTSA ID

11408162

Incident

Apr 13, 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

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 NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11395913

Incident

Aug 5, 2020

Mileage

112,000 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.

NHTSA ID

11394402

Incident

Feb 2, 2021

Mileage

118,000 mi

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 NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FIRE NEAR THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY HAD THEIR WIFE CONTACT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED. VEHICLE TOWED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO INFORM THEM THAT THE FIRE REPORT REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE'S MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAUSED FIRE. THE VEHICLE DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE MATTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ID

11331463

Incident

Jun 25, 2020

Mileage

171,000 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 VEGAS, NV 89104) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11318617

Incident

Mar 15, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi

HEATED DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVER HEATED SEAT. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS AIRBAG RECALL ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR AIRBAGS AND WOULD NEED TO CONTACT DODGE FOR A CASE NUMBER. CONTACTED DODGE AND WAS TOLD JUST DRIVE CAREFULLY.

NHTSA ID

11311862

Incident

Feb 27, 2020

Mileage

112,855 mi

WAS REPAIRED 05/13/2016 BY CHRYSLER DODGE DEALERSHIP 0F SOUTH SAVANNNAH

NHTSA ID

11306275

Incident

May 13, 2016

Mileage

73,003 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A BRIDGE, THE VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE, FISHTAILED, AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT COLUMN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND STRUCK HER LEFT KNEE ON THE DASHBOARD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 1916400110 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO A GARAGE, BUT WAS LATER RETRIEVED BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT CALLED HEALY CHRYSLER DODGE AT 231-845-3900 (LOCATED AT 3632 W US-10, LUDINGTON, MI 49431) WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS), 15V313000 (AIR BAGS), AND 14V770000 (AIR BAGS). THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ALL THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD CALL THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,593. *TR

NHTSA ID

11269921

Incident

Jan 10, 2019

Mileage

99,593 mi

VEHICLE GOES IN AND OUT OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEEL LO ON IT'S OWN, WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR NOT AND MOVING OR NOT. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I OPEN THE DOOR, NOT UNLOCK, JUST OPEN, AND YOU CAN HEAR THE TRANSFER CASE SHIFTING . SOMETIME "SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE" LIGHT COMES ON, OTHER TIMES JUST 4 WHEEL INDICATOR AND OTHER TIMES NO LIGHT AT ALL. THOUGH IT IS A 2005, I ONLY HAVE 80K ON IT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW

NHTSA ID

11268221

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

TICKING NOISE COMING FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLDS! EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS & STUDS ARE BREAKING PREMATURELY ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT! NEW BETTER GRADE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS & STUDS PLUS GASKETS NEED TO BE INSTALLED ON BOTH LEFT & RIGHT HAND SIDE MANIFOLDS WITH A RECALL TO CORRECTLY REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS FACTORY INSTALLED DEFECT!!

NHTSA ID

11246207

Incident

Jun 12, 2012

Mileage

62,500 mi

TICKING NOISE FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD. EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS & STUDS PREMATURELY BROKE! LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES ARE ABLE TO ENTER PASSENGER CABIN & CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD! THIS ISSUE NEEDS A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS, BOLTS & STUDS THAT ARE OF AN IMPROVED GRADE TO CORRECT THIS FACTORY INSTALLATION SAFETY ISSUE ON BOTH LEFT & RIGHT HAND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS!!

NHTSA ID

11246205

Incident

Jun 12, 2012

Mileage

62,000 mi

CAME TO A STOP BEHIND 2 VEHICLES IN LEFT TURN LANE. WHEN TRAFFIC LIGHT GREEN ARROW CAME AND ACCELERATED THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE. CAR BEHIND SKIDDED TO A STOP TO AVOID TRUCK. TRIED REVERSE AND DRIVE WITH NO AFFECT THEN LOOKING UNDER TRUCK THER WAS REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL PUDDLING UNDER CENTER PUMPKIN. GROUP OF PEOPLE HELPED PUSHED TRUCK INTO LOT BACKWARDS SINCE WOULD ROLL FORWARD. TOWED BACK TO WORK AND INSPECTED NEXT DAY 8/3/19 AND PINION NUT HAD BACKED OFF. PULLED DIFF COVER AND FOUND SEVERAL CHUNKS OF METAL FROM DAMAGE. BUILD DATE 08/04 152,000 MILES WITH 9 1/4 REAREND. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE RAM 1500 WITH SAME REAR END AND WITHIN THIS BUILD DATE. WOULD NOT THE DAKOTA ALSO BE INCLUDED? L

NHTSA ID

11241561

Incident

Aug 2, 2019

Mileage

152,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO A CURB TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11235178

Incident

Jul 19, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE T80 HEATED SEATS IN MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA I CALLED THE CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE SCHEDULE A REPAIR SERVICE WITH PERKINS DODGE COLORADO SPRINGS HE ORDERED THE SEATS I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD A BURN HOLE IN IT AND HAD CAUGHT FIRE WHEN THE NEW SEATS ARRIVED AT PERKINS DODGE I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO BE REPAIRED THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT DO THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE OF THE BURN HOLE HAS CUT OUT PIECES. I TOLD THEM I HAD TO REMOVE SOME OF THE BURNT MATERIAL TO PUT A SEAT COVER ON AND STILL UTILIZE THE SEAT. SEATS ARE STILL UNDER RECALL THEY ORDERED THEM KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A BURN HOLE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WILL NOT PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR THE INFORMATION FOR THE CASE NUMBER AND REPRESENTATIVE I TALKED TO IS HERE.... MY NAME IS [XXX] FROM THE FCA CASE MANAGEMENT DIVISION, I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED AS YOUR CASE MANAGER. HERE IS SOME INFORMATION THAT WILL BE HELPFUL FOR YOU TO HAVE: YOUR CASE NUMBER IS [XXX] THE CHRYSLER CASE MANAGEMENT TELEPHONE NUMBER IS: [XXX] MY DIRECT EXTENSION: [XXX] MY WORK HOURS ARE: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME (MONDAY-FRIDAY). I WILL CONTACT YOU WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT BY TELEPHONE TO REVIEW YOUR CASE WITH YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ID

11217628

Incident

May 30, 2019

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, (804) 663-5337) 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.

NHTSA ID

11185923

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

2005 DODGE DAKOTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HEATED SEATS SAFETY RECALL T80/NHTSA 17V-820 AND WHEN VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. *AS *TR

NHTSA ID

11180751

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE CAUSING EXHAUST FUMES TO FILTER INTO THE CABIN. THE FILTRATION OF EXHAUST FUME OCCURS WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. ACCORDING TO DEALER IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11171091

Incident

Jan 17, 2019

Mileage

174,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. ALSO, AFTER REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY, THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE ACTUATOR WOULD REMAIN ACTIVE. EVENTUALLY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS RESET. AFTER RESETTING THE TRANSMISSION, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION ERRONEOUSLY SWITCHED INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND CAUSED THE SPEED TO REDUCE TO 10 MPH. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11170521

Incident

Nov 1, 2016

Mileage

130,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL.. OVER 8 MONTHS WAITING FOR NEW AIRBAGS. NO END IN SIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11166520

Incident

Jul 8, 2018

SERVICE 4WD LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND I WAS WATCHING IT AND NOTICE THE 4 LOW LIGHT BLINKED ON ONCE. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH THE TRANSFER CASE BUT I THINK IT WANTING TO GO INTO 4WD ON ITS OWN. THE SERV 4WD LIGHT STAYS ON AT TIMES AND OTHER TIMES AFTER AWHILE IT WILL GO OFF BUT LATER COME BACK ON.

NHTSA ID

11166036

Incident

Jan 8, 2019

Mileage

92,000 mi