YearToAvoid

2005 Dodge Dakota Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2005 Dodge Dakota has the highest complaint index (100) of any year in this model's dataset, ranking worst among 7 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. It has 470 complaints, 6 recalls including 2 do-not-drive campaigns, and airbags are the top problem area at 30% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 7 Dakota years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
470
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
2 Do Not Drive
Crashes
30
reported in complaints
Fires
27
Injuries
20
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2009
lowest-risk (no Good/Best year)
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
14 city / 19 hwy
Injuries / deaths
20 / 0

Top 2005 Dodge Dakota problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags143 (30%)
  2. Brakes86 (18%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain81 (17%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires60 (13%)
  5. Structure & Body51 (11%)
  6. Steering47 (10%)
  7. Electrical System37 (8%)
  8. Engine27 (6%)
  9. Other12 (3%)
  10. Fuel System10 (2%)

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

What owners report

  • Frontal or single-vehicle crashes in which the airbag failed to deploy, even at moderate speeds like 35 mph.
  • Front brake components including rotors, calipers, and pads wearing out or needing replacement, sometimes with rusted brake lines.
  • Brakes locking up or causing the vehicle to shake and jump during panic stops, occasionally leading to loss of control.
  • Driver's side heated seats overheating and burning holes through the seat cushion or melting nearby fabric.
  • Vehicle stalling without warning at highway speed, followed by reported brake failure.
  • Rear leaf spring snapping or driveshaft separating during low-speed driving, causing loss of control.
2005 Dodge Dakota complaints: complaints filed per quarter292005 Q12007 Q22009 Q32011 Q42014 Q12016 Q22018 Q32021 Q2
470 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q1 to 2026 Q1; peak 2015 Q3 (29).

2005 Dodge Dakota recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V820000Dec 20, 2017Structure & Body16,900 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler

    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.

  2. NHTSA 16V352000May 24, 2016Airbags4,648,270 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

    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 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 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 for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

  3. NHTSA 15V313000May 26, 2015Airbags4,077,169 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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 owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

See all 6 recalls for the 2005 Dodge Dakota →

2005 Dodge Dakota fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
19 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Dakota years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005200620072008200920102011
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid1004706 !15
2006Avoid832855 !15
2007Caution671444 !15

All Dodge Dakota years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Dakota ranks worst among the 7 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 470 complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict.
Does the 2005 Dodge Dakota have airbag recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists three airbag-related recalls for the 2005 Dakota, two of which are do-not-drive campaigns, and airbags are the top complaint area with 143 complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Dodge Dakota?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 30% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 85,333 miles.
How does the 2005 Dakota compare to other model years?
The 2005 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2006 (83), 2007 (67), 2008 (50), 2009 (0), 2010 (17), and 2011 (33), making it the highest-ranked year for complaints.
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Dakota have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Dodge Dakota, including 2 do-not-drive recalls related to airbags.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.