2011 Dodge Dakota
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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
41% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171107
16% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHEN ACCELERATING IT SHUDDERS TREMENDOUSLY. LET OF THE GAS AND IT STOPS SOMETIMES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180605
11% of complaints: service brakes — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
REAR BRAKE DRUMS WARPING AFTER BEING PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY DEALER. REAR BRAKE APPLICATION INCONSISTENT AND ROUGH CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO "HOP" AND LOSE TRACTION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130320
9% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
Many Dodge vehicle models experience failure of illumination for instrument clusters. This creates an unsafe condition for the driver since information presented at the instrument cluster, cannot be determined during night time driving conditions.
NHTSA ODI report, 20241025
7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 3 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
Many Dodge vehicle models experience failure of illumination for instrument clusters. This creates an unsafe condition for the driver since information presented at the instrument cluster, cannot be determined during night time driving conditions.
NHTSA ODI report, 20241025
SAFETY TIMELINE
NBC Truck Equipment, Inc. (NBC) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 and model year 2010-2011 trucks equipped with Sure Power battery separator devices, due to overheating.
Remedy: NBC will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the battery separators free of charge. The safety recall began November 26, 2012. Owners may contact NBC Truck Equipment, Inc. at 1-586-774-4900.
Campaign 12V420000 — check if this car was fixed
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners th
Campaign 13V038000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,...
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018.
Campaign 18V021000 — check if this car was fixed
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019.
Campaign 19V018000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2011 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V420000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V038000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V313000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V352000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V021000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V018000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2011 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Dodge Dakota is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge Dakota?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Dakota have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.