MYRModel Year Report

2005 Dodge Dakota

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Dodge Dakota
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
470
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

2005: 470 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19861
198720
198855
198964
199065
1991128
1992219
1993134
1994184
1995208
1996189
1997446
1998545
1999641
2000806
2001678
2002678
2003296
2004206
2005470
2006285
2007145
200891
200918
201035
201144

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

30% · 143 reports

Most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-08-04

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

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-02-11

Service brakes

21% · 98 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

18% · 83 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Suspension

11% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing front and lower ball joint.

CRASHINJURY

Steering

10% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and column.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2012-11-17

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 470 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2005-01-17Air bags05V002000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2005-10-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-03-09 Steering wheel and shaft bolts
  4. R
    2005-11-28Power train05V460000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2006-03-09Engineering analysisOpen Steering wheel and steering shaft bolts
  6. R
    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 →

  7. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  8. R
    2015-02-03Air bags14V770000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  10. R
    2015-06-08Air bags15V313000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2017-03-27Air bags16V352000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2018-12-27Seats17V820000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 143 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 98 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 83 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V002000 · Air bags
  • Recall 05V460000 · Power train
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V770000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V313000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V352000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V820000 · Seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Dodge Dakota is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Dakota?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Dakota have?
7 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.