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2008 Dodge Dakota Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
91
Latest Mar 24, 2021
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 9, 2008

What this page shows

Our database holds 91 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Dodge Dakota. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 91 · page 1 of 4

Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 24, 2021

EXTENDED CAB DOORS WILL NOT OPEN WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCESS TIRE CHANGING TOOLS. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, I'VE DISCOVERED THIS HAPPENS TO MANY DODGE DAKOTA EXTENDED CAB TRUCKS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11404762
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Body & structure
Filed Nov 15, 2020
Crash reported2 injuries reported

DRIVING IN OUR LANE ON A CITY STREET GOING 40 MPH AS A VEHICLE TRIED TO TURN INTO A GAS STATION, CROSSING OUR LANE RIGHT FRONT OF US AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE THE TURN. TO AVOID A FULL BLOWN HEAD ON COLLISION, I SWERVED AND WE HIT FRONT DRIVER SIDE VS FRONT DRIVER SIDE. GOING 40 MPH, AND THE SPEED OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THAT BEING MY MAIN CONCERN WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THE SPEED BEING CONSIDERED AND HITTING FRONT ON.

NHTSA ID
11374709
Incident
Nov 14, 2020
Mileage
138,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 22, 2019
Fire reported

RISK OF FIRE BY WRONG SIZED FUSED IN POWER OUTLET. I ALMOST BURN THE TRUCK CHARGING A DRONE (57W CHARGER) PARKING AND LEFT ALONE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WHEN I BACK THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. FIRST I THINK IN THE LITHIUM BATTERIES CATCHING FIRE, BUT NO, THE SMOKE COMES FROM BEHIND THE DASH. QUICKLY I REMOVED THE 20A FUSE AND LEFT LIKE THIS. I ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT OUTLET AND TODAY WHEN I WAS TO CHANGE I FOUND THE WIRES COMPLETE MELTED. CHECK THE SERVICE MANUAL AND SHOWS A 18AWG WIRE PROTECTED WHIT 20A FUSE. PROBABLY A INHERITED FROM SOME OLD DODGE RAM WHICH ONE HAVE A 20A FUSE AND 14AWG WIRE. CHECKING SOME NEWS MODELS AND HAVE 18AWG TOO, SO IT COULD BE MORE VEHICLES IN POTENTIAL RISK OF FIRE. THE USER MANUAL, PRINTED, DIGITAL ONLINE, THE FUSE BOX COVER, SERVICE MANUAL, EVERYWHERE SAYS 20A FUSE FOR A THIN 18AWG WIRE.

NHTSA ID
11209358
Incident
May 22, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 19, 2019

MY ENGINE TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. I CANNOT RESTART THE ENGINE UNTIL I HAVE STOPPED, SHIFTED TO PARK, AND CYCLED THE IGNITION TO OFF. THE ENGINE STALLING STARTED AS A LOW/SLOW IDLE CONDITION, AND NOW HAS ESCALATED TO CUTTING OFF AT FULL ACCELERATION WHILE MERGING INTO EXPRESSWAY TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL DATES. I AM SELECTING THE DATE OF MY LAST REMEMBERED OCCASION.

NHTSA ID
11197318
Incident
Feb 18, 2019
Mileage
57,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 3, 2018

4.7L ENGINE BLEW HOLE THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL IN BLOCK WHILE PASSING A SLOWER MOVING CAR ON A COUNTRY PAVED HIGHWAY MAXED AT ABOUT 60MPH. ENGINE HAS 72250 MILES, RUNNING 5W30 SYNTHETIC OIL. REGULAR HOME MAINTENANCE - OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES, OTHER MAINTENANCE AS IN USER MANUAL AT HOME. HAD NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO WARNING. TRUCK WELL MAINTAINED (LIKE NEW INSIDE AND OUT. I'M RETIRED AND TRUCK IS FOR PLEASURE USE.

NHTSA ID
11105422
Incident
Jun 30, 2018
Mileage
72,250 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM TWO WHEEL DRIVE TO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL BRYAN CHRYSLER (3401 US-441, FRUITLAND PARK, FL 34731) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11072651
Incident
Aug 31, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 25, 2017

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ID
11039871
Incident
Oct 25, 2008
Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2017

REF MFR RECALL 870- NHTSA RECALL 00V-193. BRAKE LINE LEAKING FROM RUBBING AGAINST POWER STEERING HOSE. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER (M&L CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, LEXINGTON NC) WAS TOLD THEY HAD THE BRAKE LINE BUT NOT PART #CBED6701 AND COULD NOT REPAIR UNDER RECALL BUT COULD SELL ME A BRAKE LINE, REFERRED ME TO CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 800-992-1997. THEY TOOK INFORMATION AND SAID THEY HAD TO CHECK WITH DEALER. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING AFTER 10 DAYS FROM DEALER OR CUSTOMER SERVICE. MEANWHILE I HAVE TO ADD BRAKE FLUID TO KEEP FROM LOSING MY BRAKES WHEN THEY HAVE THE BRAKE LINE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT SAY I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

NHTSA ID
11031543
Incident
Sep 12, 2017
Mileage
270,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 18, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); 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. THREE BROTHERS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP, LOCATED AT 125 MAIN ST, LINCOLN, MAINE 04457 (877-377-9460) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT CHRYSLER WOULD ONLY ALLOW THE PARTS TO BE REQUESTED INDIVIDUALLY AND THAT THE CONTACT WAS WAITLISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/17/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED REPAIR WAS MADE ON AUG 28, 2017. *TR

NHTSA ID
11016206
Incident
Jul 12, 2017
Airbags
Filed May 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10984892
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Apr 13, 2017

DUE TO MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG BEING POTENTIALLY DEADLY I CANNOT TRADE OFF MY TRUCK FOR A FAIR MARKET VALUE. ALSO I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE FOR ANY PERSON OR PERSONS TO RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I CONTACTED DODGE BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2016 AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS ON THE SAFETY OF ME VEHICLE AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT THERE WOULD BE A FIX IN MARCH 2017. HOWEVER THERE IS STILL NO FIX AND I STILL CANNOT TRADE OFF MY TRUCK OR ALLOW PASSENGERS IN IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT BUILT BY DODGE BUT THEY NEED TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE RISK AND THE SITUATION THAT FAITHFUL CUSTOMERS ARE BEING PUT IN.

NHTSA ID
10972181
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/30/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 9/15/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10968717
Incident
Nov 15, 2016
Steering
Filed Mar 26, 2017

THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN. INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WORKING AND THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. AFTER TWICE REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION AND STEERING PUMP THE SITUATION SEEMED TO IMPROVE. THEN SUDDENLY, TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING JERKED RIGHT AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK TO THE LEFT IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEELS AT ALL, THEY WERE LOCKED STRAIGHT CAUSING US TO IMMEDIATELY CROSS ALL LANES OF THE FREEWAY AS THE ROAD TURNED FORCING US TO THE CENTER DIVIDER.

NHTSA ID
10968520
Incident
Mar 18, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 17, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10966490
Incident
May 26, 2016
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 2017

TAKATA RECALL FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR HOUSING MAY RUPTURE.

NHTSA ID
10957072
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Feb 2, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.. UPDATED 09/01/17 *JS

NHTSA ID
10949114
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jan 19, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10946478
Incident
Jul 4, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jan 17, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JULY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10945625
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jan 2, 2017

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10939113
Incident
Jun 1, 2015
Mileage
125,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 5, 2016

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. BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE SWITCH, THE DEFECT IS QUITE COSTLY TO REPAIR, REQUIRING THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE BREACHED. I AM ASKING THAT THIS BE A VERY HIGH PRIORITY DUE TO THE DANGER POSED BY SIGNALLING THE ENTIRELY OPPOSITE INTENTION FROM THAT OF THE DRIVER. THIS IS NOT COSMETIC, IT IS A FAILURE OF A SAFETY SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE THAT IS USED MORE FREQUENTLY THAN AN AIRBAG OR CRUMPLE ZONE. IT ALSO PUTS INNOCENT DRIVERS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AT SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER RISK THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

NHTSA ID
10929970
Incident
Aug 31, 2016
Mileage
95,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 2016

MY FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IS ENGAGING ON IT'S OWN. THE SHIFT MOTOR ENGAGES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL ENGAGE ON IT'S OWN WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TESTED AT A CERTIFIED GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING DODGE/CHRYSLER ISSUES, I HAVE FOUND THAT QUITE A FEW OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. THEY ALSO CHANGED THE TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MOTOR AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF CHRYSLER IS GOING TO FIX THEIR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DODGE FOUR WHEEL DRIVES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10928582
Incident
Nov 29, 2016
Mileage
68,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 29, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10928508
Incident
May 29, 2015
Airbags
Filed Nov 18, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10926996
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 20, 2016

2008 DODGE DAKOTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO REPAIR RECALL NOTICE 16V-352. *SMD

NHTSA ID
10917136
Incident
Oct 3, 2016
Airbags
Filed Sep 1, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10903145
Incident
Feb 10, 2015

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.

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