The Lemon Index
200720093rd generation
Not enough data. Only 18 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota Tacoma 942008 Chevrolet Colorado 422008 Ford Ranger
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V352000 (airbags) and 15V313000 (airbags) done? 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?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Dodge sent dealers 53 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1”?
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 18 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 4K to 48K miles (7K to 77K km) on the car (16 of all 18 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
Erratic power steering. Worse when cold. Never knew when the power steering would work. Vehicle would not recover from left turn requiring pulling the steering wheel to the right to keep under control.
2008 Dodge Dakota owner · NHTSA complaint 10400649
More owner reports
The steering linkage ball joint broke on my 2008 Dodge Dakota with only 23,153 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10416645
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 2008 is the same generation.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 53 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
- Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- 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.
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
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 $3,350–$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. 2008 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 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-dakota/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Dodge Dakota reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Dodge Dakota reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 18 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Dodge Dakota problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (33%), lights (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Dakota have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Dodge Dakota get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Dodge Dakota have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Dodge Dakota cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Dodge Dakota have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Dakota year is better than the 2008?
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