The Lemon Index
2003
20052nd generation
About average · most complaints: suspension
88 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Toyota Tacoma 442004 Chevrolet Colorado 1362004 GMC Canyon 134
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Dodge Dakota
- Ball joint / control arm33 complaintsmostly at 25,000–86,000 miles (40,000–138,000 km)
- Steering rack / power steering14 complaintsmostly at 57,000–100,000 miles (92,000–161,000 km)
- Engine stalling11 complaintsmostly at 13,000–69,000 miles (20,000–111,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 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 1,500 and 25,000 miles (2,400–40,000 km) (the middle half of the 61 complaints, of all 88 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 5 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 steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Dodge sent dealers 53 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “42rle slow or harsh gear engagement after initial cold start”?
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 88 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 1K to 24K miles (2K to 40K km) on the car (61 of all 88 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
At 20k my 2004 Dakota truck needs new brakes and rotors. Dealership said they are blue from getting too hot. My 1999 Dakota just had new brakes and rotors and still had plenty of pad on them at 84k.
2004 Dodge Dakota owner · NHTSA complaint 10207571
More owner reports
Recall campaign : the vehicle's ball joints failed prior to recall notification 04v-596.
NHTSA complaint 10111016
2004/Dodge truck/Dakota, rear calipers failed by seizing. Had to replace both of them before even replacing the brake pads. Total mileage on the truck was 45,518.
NHTSA complaint 10186017
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 2004 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 53 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 42rle slow or harsh gear engagement after initial cold start
- Passenger compartment floor water leak
- Transmission control module fourth gear lock up shudder
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- 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 5 recalls
- 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.
- 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 …
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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
Every Dodge Dakota year. 2004 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-dakota/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Dodge Dakota reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Dodge Dakota reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 98; 100 is average, lower is better). 2004 is one of the better years of a model that draws 2.1× the average car's complaints. The Dodge Dakota year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2004 Dodge Dakota problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (41%), brakes (23%) and steering (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Dakota have?
5 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 2004 Dodge Dakota get?
14 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Dakota problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,500 and 25,000 miles (2,400–40,000 km) (the middle half of the 61 complaints, of all 88 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 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 2004 Dodge Dakota have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Dodge Dakota cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Dodge Dakota have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Dodge Dakota year than the 2004?
Not nearby: the 2004 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Dodge Dakota years within 3 model years of it. 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