Dodge Dakota Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Dodge Dakota model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2009 drew the fewest (18) and the 2000 the most (806).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
18 | 5 | Power train | — | — |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
35 | 7 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
44 | 6 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2008 | 91 | 2 | Air bags | — | — |
| 1993 | 134 | 1 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2007 | 145 | 4 | Air bags | — | — |
| 1994 | 166 | 3 | Power train | — | — |
| 1996 | 189 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
| 2004 | 206 | 1 | Steering | — | — |
| 1995 | 208 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1992 | 216 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
| 2006 | 285 | 5 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2003 | 296 | 4 | Suspension | — | — |
| 1997 | 446 | 5 | Suspension | — | — |
| 2005 | 470 | 6 | Air bags | — | — |
| 1998 | 545 | 5 | Suspension | — | — |
| 1999 | 641 | 4 | Suspension | — | — |
| 2001 Among the most complaints |
678 | 7 | Suspension | — | — |
| 2002 Among the most complaints |
678 | 5 | Suspension | — | — |
| 2000 Among the most complaints |
806 | 5 | Suspension | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Dodge Dakota years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2000 Dodge Dakota: 806 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 282 (35%); Service brakes 262 (33%); Power train 74 (9%).
Reports mention 60 crashes, 14 fires, 44 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 52,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2002 Dodge Dakota: 678 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 226 (33%); Service brakes 210 (31%); Power train 89 (13%).
Reports mention 55 crashes, 18 fires, 32 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 39,199 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2001 Dodge Dakota: 678 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 236 (35%); Service brakes 128 (19%); Power train 93 (14%).
Reports mention 44 crashes, 11 fires, 27 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The Dodge Dakota years with the fewest complaints
2009 Dodge Dakota: 18 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 6 (33%); Air bags 5 (28%); Electrical system 3 (17%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Dodge Dakota: 35 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 16 (46%); Power train 7 (20%); Electrical system 6 (17%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Dodge Dakota: 44 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 18 (41%); Power train 8 (18%); Service brakes 6 (14%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 42,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Dodge Dakota owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 44 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42,000 |
| 2010 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2009 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2008 | 91 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 55,623 |
| 2007 | 145 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 50,196 |
| 2006 | 285 | 23 | 7 | 17 | 1 | 55,000 |
| 2005 | 470 | 30 | 27 | 20 | 0 | 58,759 |
| 2004 | 206 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 52,000 |
| 2003 | 296 | 16 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 34,700 |
| 2002 | 678 | 55 | 18 | 32 | 2 | 39,199 |
| 2001 | 678 | 44 | 11 | 27 | 2 | 50,000 |
| 2000 | 806 | 60 | 14 | 44 | 2 | 52,000 |
| 1999 | 641 | 49 | 6 | 27 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 1998 | 545 | 43 | 1 | 29 | 6 | 69,000 |
| 1997 | 446 | 42 | 7 | 30 | 1 | 72,834 |
| 1996 | 189 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 89,000 |
| 1995 | 208 | 38 | 6 | 23 | 1 | 100,000 |
| 1994 | 166 | 33 | 4 | 23 | 2 | 120,000 |
| 1993 | 134 | 15 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 1992 | 216 | 21 | 8 | 15 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Dodge Dakota recalls
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2005–2011 model years; 4,648,270 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V352000)
- Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Rupture (2005–2011 model years; 4,077,169 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V313000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2011 model years; 1,413,222 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2019; 19V018000)
- DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FMVSS 225/CHILD SEAT ANCHOR (2001 model year; 1,211,756 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2000; 00V366000)
- ENGINE:GASKETS:VALVE COVER (1989–1990 model years; 634,000 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 1989; 89V237000)
All 49 Dodge Dakota recall campaigns · Dodge Dakota problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Dodge Dakota years FAQ
Which Dodge Dakota year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2009 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (18). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Dodge Dakota years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2000, 2002 and 2001 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the suspension. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Dodge Dakota problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the suspension (1,740 of 6,297 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Dodge Dakota have?
NHTSA lists 49 recall campaigns covering the Dodge Dakota. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Dodge Dakota recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.