The Lemon Index
200220042nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: suspension
192 owner complaints, first 3 years 13–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Toyota Tacoma 492003 Toyota Tundra 622003 Chevrolet Avalanche 130
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Dodge Dakota
- Ball joint / control arm85 complaintsmostly at 17,000–69,000 miles (27,000–111,000 km)
- Engine stalling19 complaintsmostly at 405–45,000 miles (651–72,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion17 complaintsmostly at 23,000–114,000 miles (37,000–184,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 296 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge Dakota (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,600 and 34,000 miles (5,800–54,000 km) (the middle half of the 133 complaints, of all 192 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 09E012000 (lights) and 08E064000 (suspension) done? It has 11 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Dodge sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Harsh shifts due to a sticking pressure sensor transducer”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 192 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 33K miles (6K to 54K km) on the car (133 of all 192 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Experienced clunking noise in front suspension. Ball joint subsequently failed causing front wheel to separate from the vehicle while operating.
2003 Dodge Dakota owner · NHTSA complaint 10152277
More owner reports
The front upper ball joints wore out prematurely. The consumer could hear loud noises coming from the steering column. The dealership was notified but was unable to resolve the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10050287
Dodge Dakota quad cab pickup 2003, brake failed to work properly.
NHTSA complaint 10113723
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 13.3M views · 1997–2004 Dodge Dakota
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors1.6M views
Idle Air Control Valve (IAC) 2002 Dodge Dakota 3.9 Stallingmreinsmith · 271K views · 14 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical879K views
Dodge Dakota/Durango Radio/Stereo/Deck Install 2001-2004Tony The Truck Guy · 333K views · 6 videos - Steering & suspension809K views
2000 Dodge Dakota Upper Control Arm replacement tipsIt's Not That Easy by Scott S · 118K views · 13 videos - Cooling system654K views
2000 Dodge Dakota Sport Water Pump Replacement V6 3.9LAverage Guys Garage · 181K views · 7 videos
Show 3 more
- Brakes & ABS349K views
How To Replace Rear Brake Shoes 1997-2004 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 100K views · 7 videos - Death wobble & steering212K views
Dodge Dakota - Power Steering Pump Replacement (2nd Gen)Rolando Robles · 67K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank208K views
Dodge Dakota Fuel Pump Replacement (2001-2004)Tony The Truck Guy · 139K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Dodge Dakota Truck 2nd Generation 1997-20041A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 903K views
2001 Dodge Dakota, Battery ProblemsPinpoint Automotive Repair · 33K views
2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 - 5.9 Cummins Turbo Diesel(Walk Around and Start Up)Char · 335K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Harsh shifts due to a sticking pressure sensor transducer
- The transmission may overheat due to a restriction in the torque converter drain back valve
- The transmission may overheat due to a restriction in the torque converter drain back valve…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 11
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2008
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO.
Show all 11 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Engine · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE…
- Visibility · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD …
- Electrical · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEADLAMP AND DASH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFED BY THE ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL.
- Lights · recall issued 2002
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) HAS AN IMPROPERLY SIZED CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLAMP LOW BEAM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedUpper ball joint separation2003–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$4,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.9L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
Every Dodge Dakota year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (1997–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 13 Dodge Dakota years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-dakota/?y=2003" title="Dodge Dakota reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-dakota/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Dodge Dakota reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Dodge Dakota reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 212; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Dakota year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2003 Dodge Dakota problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (44%), brakes (20%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Dakota have?
11 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge Dakota get?
13 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Dakota problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,600 and 34,000 miles (5,800–54,000 km) (the middle half of the 133 complaints, of all 192 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Dodge Dakota have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Dodge Dakota cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Dodge Dakota have?
3.9L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Dakota year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average). Across every year, 2006 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works