What year Dodge Dakota should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2005 and 2006 Dodge Dakota. They carry the highest complaint index scores (100 and 83) out of the years covered, driven mainly by airbag complaints.

Is there a best year Dodge Dakota?

No Dakota year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2009, 2010, and 2011, which have the lowest complaint index among the Caution-rated years.

What is the most common problem with the Dodge Dakota?

Airbags are the top problem area across all years, with 396 complaints (36% share), followed by transmission and powertrain issues with 172 complaints (16% share).

Do 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks have recalls?

Yes. Each of those years carries a Caution verdict capped because of a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, despite having lower complaint index scores than 2005-2008.

How many total complaints does the Dodge Dakota have?

NHTSA lists 1,087 total complaints and 15 recall campaigns across the 2005-2011 model years covered.

Dodge Dakota Best and Worst Years (2005–2011)

Avoid the 2005 and 2006 Dodge Dakota, which have the highest complaint index (100 and 83) and the most airbag complaints. No Dakota year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year is capped by recall campaigns; 2009-2011 have the lowest complaint index among Caution years.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006Lowest-risk years:Caution 2009 Caution 2010 Caution 2011

Model years: 7; 2005–2011
NHTSA complaints: 1,087
Recall campaigns: 15
Crashes reported: 81
Fires reported: 37
Top problem area: Airbags

Dakota Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Dodge Dakota problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	100	470	30	27	6 !	Airbags	15	—
2006	Avoid	83	285	23	7	5 !	Airbags	15	—
2007	Caution	67	144	11	2	4 !	Airbags	15	—
2008	Caution	50	91	5	1	2 !	Airbags	15	—
2009	Caution	0	18	1	0	5 !	Transmission & Powertrain	15.5	—
2010	Caution	17	35	3	0	7 !	Airbags	15	—
2011	Caution	33	44	8	0	6 !	Airbags	15.5	—

Dakota years to avoid: what went wrong

2005 Dodge Dakota Index 100 · 470 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2005 Dakota has the highest complaint index (100) and 470 total complaints, more than any other year. Airbags account for 143 complaints (30% share), with a median failure mileage of 85,333 and reports of airbags failing to deploy in frontal crashes. Brakes were also a major issue, 86 complaints (18%) with a much lower median mileage of 14,407, including reports of rotors, calipers, and pads wearing out early and rusted brake lines. NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for this year, including two Do Not Drive airbag recalls.

2005 airbags problems →2005 brakes problems →2005 transmission & powertrain problems →

2006 Dodge Dakota Index 83 · 285 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2006 Dakota ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83 and 285 total complaints. Airbags dominate the complaint mix at 126 complaints (44% share), median failure mileage 75,161, with owners reporting non-deployment in frontal crashes. Steering complaints numbered 47 (16% share) at a median 54,000 miles. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns, including two Do Not Drive airbag recalls, plus a separate campaign covering a clutch ignition interlock switch on manual-transmission trucks built in that period.

2006 airbags problems →2006 steering problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Dodge Dakota problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags396 (36%)
Transmission & Powertrain172 (16%)
Brakes142 (13%)
Steering128 (12%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires121 (11%)
Electrical System116 (11%)
Structure & Body74 (7%)
Engine71 (7%)
Other39 (4%)
Visibility & Wipers35 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Dodge Dakota should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2005 and 2006 Dodge Dakota. They carry the highest complaint index scores (100 and 83) out of the years covered, driven mainly by airbag complaints.
Is there a best year Dodge Dakota?: No Dakota year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2009, 2010, and 2011, which have the lowest complaint index among the Caution-rated years.
What is the most common problem with the Dodge Dakota?: Airbags are the top problem area across all years, with 396 complaints (36% share), followed by transmission and powertrain issues with 172 complaints (16% share).
Do 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks have recalls?: Yes. Each of those years carries a Caution verdict capped because of a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, despite having lower complaint index scores than 2005-2008.
How many total complaints does the Dodge Dakota have?: NHTSA lists 1,087 total complaints and 15 recall campaigns across the 2005-2011 model years covered.