The Lemon Index
20103rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 12,156 in the U.S. in 2011 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 15 complaints in its first 3 years.
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Toyota Tacoma 282011 Chevrolet Colorado 362011 Ford Ranger 11
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V018000 (airbags), 18V021000 (airbags) and 16V352000 (airbags) done? It has 6 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?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Dodge sent dealers 68 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 15 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 20K to 42K miles (32K to 68K km) on the car (12 of all 15 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
Safety recall no8/NHTSA 13v-038 rear axle pinion nut - can not get service.
2011 Dodge Dakota owner · NHTSA complaint 10542410
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 2011 is the same generation.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 68 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Advanced Field Action Communication ?
- 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 6
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- 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.
Show all 6 recalls
- 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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2013
The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pin.
- Equipment · recall issued 2012
Overheating of the battery separator can result in smoke and possible fire.
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Dakota Extended PU/EC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Dodge Dakota Crew PU/CC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Dodge Dakota Extended PU/EC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Dodge Dakota Crew PU/CC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
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. 2011 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 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-dakota/?y=2011" 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/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Dodge Dakota reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Dodge Dakota reliable?
We can't score it: only 12,156 were sold in the U.S. in 2011 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2011 Dodge Dakota problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (27%), fuel system (13%) and brakes (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Dakota have?
6 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 2011 Dodge Dakota get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Dodge Dakota have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 27% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 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 2011 Dodge Dakota have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Dakota year is better than the 2011?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2006 drew the fewest (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