The Lemon Index

All cars · Dodge Dakota · 2005

2005 Dodge Dakota. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index160100 = average car
Complaints115NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold104,051U.S. model year
Per 100K sold111complaints
Complaint rank#4 of 8among the 8 scored Dodge Dakota model years (2000–2007); #1 = fewest complaints per car sold, not the YouTube rank

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 1,000 and 22,000 miles. Median 8,561, from 95 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes59%
Transmission & drivetrain17%
Steering11%
Engine10%
Suspension8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
115102700

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 7

  • 17V820000 Dec 2017 Seats / Front Assembly / Seat Heater/Cooler

    Defect. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks equipped with heated seats. These driver and passenger seats may develop hot spots that can result in the seat cushion or seat back having burn holes.

    Risk. The hot spots and burn holes can injure the seat occupant and can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the seat heating system control features, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T80.

  • 16V352000 May 2016 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, o

    Risk. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants

    Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number

  • 15V313000 May 2015 Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. 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.

    Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owner

  • 14V770000 Dec 2014 Air Bags

    Defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive i

    Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may con

  • 09E012000 Apr 2009 Exterior Lighting

    Defect. 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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

  • 05V460000 Oct 2005 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. 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. IF THE SHAFT MOVES OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 'PARK' POSITION.

    Risk. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSIONS AND INSTALL A BRACKET TO ENSURE THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT IS RETAINED IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

  • 05V002000 Jan 2005 Air Bags / Side/Window

    Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN FASTENERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

    Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN IMPROPER SIDE AIR BAG CURTAIN DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN SIDE CRASH CONDITIONS, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

    Remedy. DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE SIDE AIR BAG CURTAIN FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–
OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015–
OpenSteering wheel and steering shaft bolts2006–
ClosedAir bag inflator rupture20142015
ClosedSteering wheel and shaft bolts20052006

Manufacturer communications 64

Dodge filed 64 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
NoNoNo

Engines and drivetrains 8

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.7L 6-cylAuto 4-spdRWD15 / 20 / 17Regular$3,650
3.7L 6-cylManual 6-spdRWD14 / 20 / 16Regular$3,900
3.7L 6-cylManual 6-spd4Wheel or AWD15 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900
3.7L 6-cylAuto 4-spd4Wheel or AWD14 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150
4.7L 8-cylAuto 5-spdRWD14 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150
4.7L 8-cylManual 6-spdRWD13 / 19 / 15Regular$4,150
4.7L 8-cylAuto 5-spd4Wheel or AWD14 / 19 / 15Regular$4,150
4.7L 8-cylManual 6-spd4Wheel or AWD13 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

YouTube repair topics

200 videos about the 2005–2011 Dodge Dakota, 5.4M views.

TopicVideosViews
Steering & suspension9310K
Cooling system7193K
Transmission & shifter4136K
Infotainment, battery & electrical4122K
Brakes & ABS4122K
Intake, EGR & engine sensors494K
Spark plugs & ignition coils391K
Fuel pump, filter & tank290K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2002338451130,712Suspension
2003212192111,273Suspension
20049888105,614Suspension
2005160115104,051Brakes
2006924476,098Transmission & drivetrain
2007944250,702Transmission & drivetrain
2008–1826,044Steering

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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