MYRModel Year Report

2008 Dodge Dakota

▲ Better than typical
2008 Dodge Dakota
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:49:01.370Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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
91
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

32% 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 2006: 285 complaints 2007: 145 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2008 91 2009: 18 complaints 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 2006: 285 complaints 2007: 145 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2008 91 2009: 18 complaints 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 2006: 285 complaints 2007: 145 complaints 2007 2008: 91 complaints 2008 91 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints 2011

2008: 91 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

32% · 29 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

This truck is the 4 and the last Dodge I will ever buy the trailer light pack is junk the break sys is junk its a two sensor ABS 1 one the driver front and one on the rear end and they say its all wheel ABS trans 2 times rebuilt rotors and brakes...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-29

Also filed under Service brakes and seat belts

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Dakota clubcab 4X2. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a single car head-on crash in which the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. One person was reported injured.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-06-09

Steering

20% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing linkages.

Electrical system

12% · 11 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Risk of fire by wrong sized fused in power outlet. I almost burn the truck charging a drone (57W charger) parking and left alone for about 20 minutes, when I back the cabin was filled with smoke.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-22

Service brakes

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

11% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing driveline.

Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle fails to reverse, then jerks in and out of reverse, vehicle was returned to dealer for repair, service manager said the is a problem with all dakotas and 1500's and at this time there is no known solution to the problem, he also stated that...

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-01-09

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

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

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V313000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V352000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Dodge Dakota is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Dakota?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Dakota have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.