2008 Dodge Dakota Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Dakota, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags2923.8%
- Steering1713.9%
- Electrical1310.7%
- Brakes119.0%
- Powertrain (other)108.2%
- Exterior lighting86.6%
- Visibility54.1%
- Suspension54.1%
- Other / unspecified43.3%
- Seat belts43.3%
- Engine43.3%
- Body & structure43.3%
- Tires & wheels32.5%
- Driver assistance21.6%
- Fuel system21.6%
- Interior & seats10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
AS I START THE TRUCK, IT KICKS WHEN I SHIFT TO DRIVE AND START TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER NEAR ME WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE RACK AND PINION AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. THE TRUCK KEEPS DOING THE KICK OR JUMPS GEARS. MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS IN THE CABLE OR THE SHIFTER. IT KEEPS DOING THIS TO THIS DAY AND GETTING WORSE. NOW I HAVE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER TO DRIVE AND PUT IT BACK TO PARK TO START THE TRUCK. ALSO THE IGNITION STAYS ON SOMETIMES WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED AND THIS DRAINS THE BATTERY. THE TRUCK SEEMS TO USE WAY TO MUCH GAS FOR THE DRIVING I DO. MY JOB IS LESS THAN FIVE MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND IT USES A LOT OF GAS ABOUT 10.00 EVERY DAY FOR SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE DRAGGING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE STICKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ UPDATED 05/02/18*JB *AS
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TURNING RIGHT LAST YEAR SIGNALED LEFT AND THE BLINKER BLINKED RIGHT MY WIFE WAS BEHIND ME AND LATER ASKED WHY I DIDN'T SIGNAL THE RIGHT WAY I SAID I DID IM NOT A DUMM YI CHECKED THINGS THEY WERE FINE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER ...I PUT THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND THE WIPERS CAME ON RAN THROUGH THE TURN SIGNALS SURE ENOUGH SIGNAL LEFT BLINK RIGHT SIGNAL RIGHT BLINK LEFT. PUT HIGH BEAM ON WASHER FLUID AND WIPERS COME ON.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A POP LIKE SOUND FOUND OUT IN MORNING THE PINION WAS THE ISSUE AND NEIGHBOR FOUND NUT WAS LOSE AND I GOT ANOTHER AND HE IS A MECHANIC SO HE INSTALLED IT AND A WEEK LATER WAS MAKING NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY FOUND IT LOSE AND INSTALLED ANOTHER ONE AND JUST THE OTHER DAY I TOOK IT BACK AND FOUND IT WAS LOSE SOME SO HE ORDERED ANOTHER ONE AND HE PUT SOME RETAINER OR NOT SURE BUT HE WILL PUT THE NEW NUT ON WHEN IT COMES IN AND I SEE 44,000 TRUCKS FROM 2009 TO 2010 AND TRUCKS FROM 2005 HAVE PINION PROBLEMS SO I AM AMAZED THAT 2008 HAS SAME ISSUE AND I SEE SO MANY POST BALL JOINTS I DID ONE SIDE ALREADY AND FOR GOD TO AND NOW AIR BAG I SEE AND HAD FORDS AND CHEVY AND ALL I REPAIRED ON THE WERE NORMAL THINGS
2008 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 IS THE BIGGEST PIECE OF JUNK I HAVE HAD 3 TRANS DONE AND TRANS LINES 3 TIMES ALL FRONT END TIE RODS STRUTS SWAY BARS WHEEL BARRINGS ROTORS RADIO AIR BAGS SEAT BELTS AND MORE REPLACED ON THIS ROLLING WHEELED PIECE OF JUNK IVE HAD PEOPLE SAY NICE TRUCK AND I SAY THANKS BUT DONT BUY ONE THEY ARE A JUNK ONLY 116K MILES ON IT AND WILL BE LOTS MORE TO SPEND ON THIS JUNK DEALER ASKED ME IF I EVER DROVE IT DOWN A DRIT ROAD AND I SAID WHY HE SAID THE TIE RODS ARE WORE OUT ON IT AND I SAID HOW THIS IS WHEN I HAD 10K MILES ON IT THEY SAID THEY THAT YOU SHOULD NOT GO ON ANY DIRT ROADS COME ON NOW WHERE ARE NO DIRT ROADS I LAUGHED AT THEM AND SAID I HAD NOT WENT ON ONE YET. NOW HOW DO ANYBODY GET THIS THING RIGHT ON GET RID OF IT WHAT A LEMON.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
RIGHT REAR TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR INTERNAL FAILURE, LEADING TO NEED FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
2008 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 IS THE BIGGEST PIECE OF JUNK I HAVE HAD 3 TRANS DONE AND TRANS LINES 3 TIMES ALL FRONT END TIE RODS STRUTS SWAY BARS WHEEL BARRINGS ROTORS RADIO AIR BAGS SEAT BELTS AND MORE REPLACED ON THIS ROLLING WHEELED PIECE OF JUNK IVE HAD PEOPLE SAY NICE TRUCK AND I SAY THANKS BUT DONT BUY ONE THEY ARE A JUNK ONLY 116K MILES ON IT AND WILL BE LOTS MORE TO SPEND ON THIS JUNK DEALER ASKED ME IF I EVER DROVE IT DOWN A DRIT ROAD AND I SAID WHY HE SAID THE TIE RODS ARE WORE OUT ON IT AND I SAID HOW THIS IS WHEN I HAD 10K MILES ON IT THEY SAID THEY THAT YOU SHOULD NOT GO ON ANY DIRT ROADS COME ON NOW WHERE ARE NO DIRT ROADS I LAUGHED AT THEM AND SAID I HAD NOT WENT ON ONE YET. NOW HOW DO ANYBODY GET THIS THING RIGHT ON GET RID OF IT WHAT A LEMON.
POSSIBLE SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EFFECTING SAFETY EQUIPMENT. SEATBELT WARNING CONTINUES TO ALARM WHEN SEATBELTS ARE WORN AND/OR FASTENED WITHOUT PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE. AUDIBLE ALARM STOPS AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS WITHOUT FREQUENT STOPS FOR TRAFFIC,STREET LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS (IE: FREEWAY), HOWEVER, VISUAL WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON DASH. HORN EFFECTED - FUSE BLOWS AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT EACH TIME HORN IS USED. SEAT BELT SYSTEM PROBLEMS BEGAN IN 2013 WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT APPROX. 60MPH. HORN PROBLEMS BEGAN IN 2014.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THIS TRUCK HAS HAD TO BE TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES IN THE 15 MONTHS SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TELLS ME IT IS DUE TO THE TIPM. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART MAKES THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO START. APPARENTLY CHRYSLER HAS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
I WAS GOING DOWN FORT SILL BLVD AND I REAR ENDED ANOTHER TRUCK. I WAS GOING ROUGHLY 40 TO 45 MILES PER HOUR. MY ENTIRE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED IN, YET MY AIR BAGS STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY?? THIS IS HE SECOND ACCIDENT THAT THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTOS OF MY TRUCKS FRONT END AND THE INSIDE SHOWING THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT REAR TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR INTERNAL FAILURE, LEADING TO NEED FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR
ON 9 JULY 2012, I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO T J TIRE AND SERVICE IN RICHLANDS, NC. I WAS THERE TO HAVE TIRES INSTALLED ONTO MY TRUCK. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A VERY BAD SITUATION WITH MY VALVE STEMS AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE INSTALL WITH THE CURRENT VALVE STEMS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE STEM IS THAT THEY WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND WERE BREAKING AND FRAGMENTING APART. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO SEE IF THERE WAS A TSB OR A RECALL. THEY RESPONDED THAT THERE WAS NOT ONE IN EFFECT OR PENDING. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VALVE STEM IT WAS FOUND TO BE COMPOSED OF AN ALUMINUM STEM, BRASS VALVE CORE AND A CAP OF UNKNOWN METAL/ALLOY. THIS COMBINATION OF DISSIMILAR METALS ON A COMPONENT EXPOSED TO WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS IS NOT ADVISABLE. THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN THE DISSIMILAR METALS AND INCREASED RATE OF CORROSION. THIS COMPONENT IS SUBJECT TO FAILURE AND WOULD POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING EAST ON A TWO LANE ROAD, AS I HEARD A SLIGHT POP COME FROM MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE. SUDDENLY AFTER THAT POP, THEIR WAS A SLIP IN THE STEERING AND I HAD NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE STARTED TO LOSE MASSIVE CONTROL, THUS JERKING AND LOCKING UP THE TRUCK IN MATTERS OF SECONDS. LUCKILY DRIVERS BEHIND ME WERE PAYING ATTENTION AND SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY NEARLY MISSING THE TRUCK. I GAINED SOME CONTROL AND PULLED INTO A NEAR BY BUSINESS. PARKED I ASSESSING THE SITUATION. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIE ROD HAD FALLEN OFF THE CONNECTION FOR KNOW REASON AT ALL. THE TRUCK IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND 51,000 MILES, WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION, AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000. UPDATED 11/6/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HE HIT WAS ONLY BUMPED AND NEITHER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. UPDATED 11/09/09.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
AS I START THE TRUCK, IT KICKS WHEN I SHIFT TO DRIVE AND START TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER NEAR ME WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE RACK AND PINION AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. THE TRUCK KEEPS DOING THE KICK OR JUMPS GEARS. MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS IN THE CABLE OR THE SHIFTER. IT KEEPS DOING THIS TO THIS DAY AND GETTING WORSE. NOW I HAVE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER TO DRIVE AND PUT IT BACK TO PARK TO START THE TRUCK. ALSO THE IGNITION STAYS ON SOMETIMES WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED AND THIS DRAINS THE BATTERY. THE TRUCK SEEMS TO USE WAY TO MUCH GAS FOR THE DRIVING I DO. MY JOB IS LESS THAN FIVE MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND IT USES A LOT OF GAS ABOUT 10.00 EVERY DAY FOR SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY FULL. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, BUT THE FUEL GAUGE STILL INDICATED THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND AGAIN ON JULY 22, 2008. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE BODY SHOP MECHANIC HAD TO REPAIR A SMALL DING IN HER DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. ONCE AT THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO REMAIN THERE FOR INSPECTION. SHE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING THE DEALER TO INFORM HER IF A RENTAL WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE INTERIM. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,400.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA CREW CAB. WHEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS REAR END COLLISION TO MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SEAT SNAPPED BACK RESULTING IN MY HUSBAND HITTING HIS HEAD INTO THE BACK SEAT HEAD REST AND THEN GOING THROUGH THE BACK WINDOW. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .