2005 Dodge Dakota

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2005 Dodge Dakota
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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 PER YEAR

2005: 470 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1985	2
1986	1
1987	20
1988	55
1989	63
1990	63
1991	128
1992	216
1993	134
1994	166
1995	208
1996	189
1997	446
1998	545
1999	641
2000	806
2001	678
2002	678
2003	295
2004	206
2005	470
2006	283
2007	144
2008	91
2009	18
2010	35
2011	44

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 29%

29% of complaints: air bags — 138 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

2005 DODGE DAKOTA WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK.*MR THE DRIVER HIT HIS HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH KNOCKED ONE OF HIS TEETH OUT. *NM

NHTSA ODI report, 20050804

Seat belt light turn on and off since I own the truck.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260211

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 58 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS TRAVELING 55-60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED WHEN I HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK LITERALLY JUMPED OFF THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121117

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SEATS 6%

6% of complaints: seats — 30 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TURNED ON PASSENGER SEAT WARMER TO KEEP A MEAL WARM IN A WHITE FOAM FOOD CONTAINER. 5 MINUTES LATER WHEN I ARRIVED AT HOME THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER HAD A MELTED HOLE IN IT. THE SEAT WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH IN ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180116

SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTION, CAUSING SMALL FIRE AND HOLE MELTED INTO THE SEAT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171207

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND BURNED HIS LEG THROUGH HIS PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130114

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 470

R 20050117 — air bags

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN FASTENERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE SIDE AIR BAG CURTAIN FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 05V002000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20051026 — PE (closed 20060309)

STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT BOLTS

R 20051128 — power train

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE SH

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSIONS AND INSTALL A BRACKET TO ENSURE THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT IS RETAINED IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLE

Campaign 05V460000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20060309 — EA (open)

STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150203 — air bags

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever...

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S.

Campaign 14V770000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150608 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 15V313000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170327 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 16V352000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181227 — seats

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.

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.

Campaign 17V820000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture