Complaints
419
Crashes
22
Fires
5
Injuries
17
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Dodge Dakota Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#154 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
Avg mileage:41,114 mi
Crash-related:2
#224 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:129,320 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#322 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Avg mileage:27,555 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Dodge Dakota.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 54 | 2 | — | 41,114 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 24 | 1 | 1 | 129,320 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 22 | 3 | — | 27,555 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 21 | 1 | — | 83,656 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 17 | 1 | 1 | 11,333 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 16 | — | — | 23,802 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 15 | — | — | 17,136 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 15 | 2 | — | 40,532 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 14 | — | — | 32,064 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 14 | — | — | 59,689 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 13 | — | — | 85,781 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 13 | — | — | 8,951 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 10 | — | — | 65,853 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 3 | — | 79,424 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 7 | 1 | — | 80,667 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 7 | — | — | 43,518 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 6 | — | — | 2,906 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
54
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,114
Electrical Faults
24
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
129,320
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
22
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
27,555
Suspension Failures
21
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,656
Hydraulic Brakes
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
11,333
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
23,802
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
17,136
Suspension:Front
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,532
Engine & Cooling
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
32,064
Transmission / Drivetrain
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,689
Headlight/Taillight Failures
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,781
Automatic Transmission
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
8,951
Steering Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,853
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,424
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,667
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,518
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,906
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Interior Lighting
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Dakota Years
2003 Dodge Dakota — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2003 Dodge Dakota has 419 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint with 54 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint (54 complaints, avg 41,114 mi); Electrical Faults (24 complaints, avg 129,320 mi); Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint (22 complaints, avg 27,555 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Dodge Dakota?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 49,973 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Dodge Dakota include 22 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Dodge Dakota as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Dodge Dakota?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Dakota reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Dodge Dakota
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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