Complaints
287
Crashes
12
Fires
6
Injuries
8
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Dodge Dakota Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#164 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:74,083 mi
#216 complaints
Suspension:Front
Avg mileage:51,216 mi
Crash-related:1
#315 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:147,107 mi
Fires:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Dodge Dakota.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 64 | — | — | 74,083 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 16 | 1 | — | 51,216 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 15 | — | 3 | 147,107 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 12 | — | — | 11,037 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | 1 | — | 59,850 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 12 | — | — | 9,399 mi | |
| Airbags | 10 | 4 | 1 | 71,161 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 9 | — | — | 21,350 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 6 | — | — | 83,792 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 6 | — | — | 23,685 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | 4 | 1 | 40,250 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | 127,043 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | 170,625 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — |
Steering Defects
64
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,083
Suspension:Front
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,216
Electrical Faults
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
147,107
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
11,037
Suspension Failures
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,850
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
9,399
Airbags
10
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
71,161
Automatic Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
21,350
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,792
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
23,685
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
40,250
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
127,043
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
170,625
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Instrument Cluster
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Dakota Years
2004 Dodge Dakota — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Dodge Dakota has 287 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 64 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (64 complaints, avg 74,083 mi); Suspension:Front (16 complaints, avg 51,216 mi); Electrical Faults (15 complaints, avg 147,107 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 2004 Dodge Dakota?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 67,622 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Dodge Dakota include 12 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 8 injuries, and 2 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 2004 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 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 2004 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 2004 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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