The Lemon Index
2004
20063rd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: brakes
115 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota Tacoma 1232005 Chevrolet Colorado 1522005 Ford Ranger 47
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Dodge Dakota
- Ball joint / control arm31 complaintsmostly at 37,000–61,000 miles (60,000–98,000 km)
- Engine stalling18 complaintsmostly at 25,000–69,000 miles (40,000–111,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion17 complaintsmostly at 65,000–115,000 miles (105,000–185,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 470 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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 1,000 and 22,000 miles (1,600–35,000 km) (the middle half of the 95 complaints, of all 115 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 17V820000 (seats), 16V352000 (airbags) and 15V313000 (airbags) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- 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.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Dodge sent dealers 64 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rear brake vibration on vehicles equipped with 8 1/4 rear axles”?
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 115 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 22K miles (2K to 35K km) on the car (95 of all 115 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
Brand new 2005 Dodge Dakota has the wrong axle on it. This is a safety issue. When I brought the vehicle it only had 9 miles on it. I put it in the repair shop for the axle and now it has 1,000 miles on it. This is fraudulent.
2005 Dodge Dakota owner · NHTSA complaint 10137075
More owner reports
Excessive stress on the front brake hoses when the vehical is turning all the way to the left or the right. This problem could cause the front brake hoses to fail prematurely.
NHTSA complaint 10119908
I have a 05 Dodge Dakota with a brake pulsating problem that the dealer made an attempt to repair. It was very pronounced in hard braking. The repair seemed to work at first; however, it has now returned.
NHTSA complaint 10129248
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 5.4M views · 2005–2011 Dodge Dakota
- Steering & suspension310K views
Replacement of Front Complete Strut Assemblies on a 2006 Dodge Dakota I SENSEN Shocks & StrutsSENSEN Shocks & Struts · 56K views · 9 videos - Cooling system193K views
How to Replace Coolant Thermostat 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 44K views · 7 videos - Transmission & shifter136K views
How to Replace Transmission Valve Body 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 57K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical122K views
How to Replace Starter 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 50K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Brakes & ABS122K views
How to Replace Rear Brakes 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 60K views · 4 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors94K views
How to Replace Speed Sensor 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 42K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils91K views
Change 2005 Dodge Dakota Spark Plugs (V-6)Jon Ernstberger · 65K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank90K views
How to Replace Fuel Injector 2005-2010 Dodge Dakota 4.7L V8TRQ · 56K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Dodge Dakota Pickup 2005-2010 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 147K views
2006 Dodge Dakota Common Problems. Should you buy it?MaxTheCarGuy · 32K views
Dodge Dakota 2008 problems.Solomon Sgt Justin L · 14K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2005 is the same generation.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 64 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear brake vibration on vehicles equipped with 8 1/4 rear axles
- Steering column intermediate shaft - pop, click, or clunk-like sound when turning
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Seats · recall issued 2017
These driver and passenger seats may develop hot spots that can result in the seat cushion or seat back having burn holes.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Show all 7 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S.
- 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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.
- Airbags · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN FASTENERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
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
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- OpenSteering wheel and steering shaft bolts2006
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
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–$4,000 (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. 2005 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 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-dakota/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Dodge Dakota reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Dodge Dakota reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 160; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Dakota year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2005 Dodge Dakota problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (59%), transmission & drivetrain (17%) and steering (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Dakota have?
7 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Dodge Dakota get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Dakota problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 22,000 miles (1,600–35,000 km) (the middle half of the 95 complaints, of all 115 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 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 2005 Dodge Dakota have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Dodge Dakota cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Dodge Dakota have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Dakota year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2006 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average).
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