Is the 2003 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Dodge Dakota is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Dakota?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Dakota have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

2003 Dodge Dakota

◆ Worse than typical

2003 Dodge Dakota
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 296
Recalls: 11
Investigations: 1
Top problem: Suspension

Complaints per year

2003: 296 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1985	2
1986	1
1987	20
1988	55
1989	64
1990	65
1991	128
1992	219
1993	134
1994	184
1995	208
1996	189
1997	446
1998	545
1999	641
2000	806
2001	678
2002	678
2003	296
2004	206
2005	470
2006	285
2007	145
2008	91
2009	18
2010	35
2011	44

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

41% · 121 reports

Most commonly citing upper ball joint and lower ball joint.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

While driving, the vehicle swerved to the left without warning and the vehicle to hit a tree and rolled over. The dealer believed that the cause was due to front end suspension failure, however the airbags deployed upon impact.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-03

While driving at 55 MPH on the highway consumer lost control of vehicle and crashed into the guard rail. The driver was injuried and transported by ambulance to the hospital.a police report was done.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-28

Service brakes

17% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIRE

Power train

14% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

INJURY

Electrical system

12% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.

CRASHFIRE

Show complaint excerpts

2003 Dodge Dakota. Consumer writes in regards to electrical issues. The consumer stated the vehicle veered off the road into shrubs. The consumer slept in the vehicle over night. The vehicle was towed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-06-10

The fan in my truck randomly shuts off so in turn, my ac does not work nor does the heat when this occurs. This happens every three months. It is not working again this week and there has been a heat wave all week of course.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-16

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

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2002-12-23Exterior lighting02V322000 On certain pickup trucks, the central timer module (Ctm) has an improperly sized circuit board trace that could potentially cause the right headlamp low beam to become inoperative.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ctm. Owner notification began December 23, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2003Complaint volume 296 complaints filed for this model year.
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2003-11-03Electrical system03V389000 On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions, the headlamp and dash wiring harness may be chafed by the actuation of the clutch pedal. This could result in abnormal operation of the…

Remedy: Dealers will reroute the wire harness and repair the harness if necessary. Owner notification began November 3, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2003-11-19Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-11 Upper ball joint separation
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2004-07-12Visibility04V216000 On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper module motor may be susceptible to water intrusion that could cause internal corrosion and result in partial or complete…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper module. Owner notification began on July 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2004-12-21Suspension04V596000 On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive (4X4), if moisture leaks into the front suspension upper ball joint, evacuation of the lubricant and corrosion of…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension upper ball joints. This safety improvement campaign began on December 21, 2004. Owners can contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2005-01-25Fuel system, gasoline06E011000 Certain aftermarket airtex electric fuel pumps installed for use as replacement equipment for certain 1997-2004 Jeep wrangler; 1997-2001 Jeep cherokee; 1997-2004 Jeep grand cherokee; and 2000-2003…

Remedy: Airtex will notify its customers and will replace the affected fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2006. Owners may contact airtex customer service department at…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

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2006-04-20Engine and engine cooling06E024000 Certain replacement k&n fuel performance kits, p/nos. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, and 57-1530. Also, a small percentage of these kits were sold under the mopar…

Remedy: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.

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2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

Remedy: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.

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2008-11-05Suspension08E064000 Skf is recalling 2,805 hub units, part no. Br930361, sold as a service part for 1997-2004 Dodge Dakota vehicles and 1999-2003 Dodge durango vehicles equipped with 2-wheel drive & rear axle ABS. Due…

Remedy: Skf will notify owners and replace the defective hub units free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2008. Owners may contact skf vsm north america customer service at 1-800-644-8999.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Suspension: 121 reports on file for this year.
Service brakes: 51 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 40 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 02V322000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 03V389000 · Electrical system
Recall 04V216000 · Visibility
Recall 04V596000 · Suspension
Recall 06E011000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 06E024000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 08E064000 · Suspension
Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Dodge Dakota reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Dodge Dakota is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Dakota?: The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Dakota have?: 11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.