The Lemon Index
200820103rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,690 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 1 complaint in its first 3 years.
1 owner complaint, first 3 years 15–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota Tacoma 2102009 Chevrolet Colorado2009 Ford Ranger
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V021000 (airbags), 16V352000 (airbags) and 15V313000 (airbags) done? It has 5 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?
- Dodge sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Advanced Field Action Communication ?”?
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 1 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 →
In owners' words
While traveling at an approximated speed of 15mph on a forest service road the sidewall of the tire blew out. Weather was clear, 70 degrees f.
2009 Dodge Dakota owner · NHTSA complaint 10284157
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 2009 is the same generation.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Advanced Field Action Communication ?
- (Revision A) No Start No Crank ?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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 5 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2013
The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pin.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2012
If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
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. 2009 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 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-dakota/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Dodge Dakota reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Dodge Dakota reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,690 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Dodge Dakota problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (100%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Dakota have?
5 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 2009 Dodge Dakota get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Dodge Dakota have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 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 2009 Dodge Dakota have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Dakota year is better than the 2009?
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