2005 Dodge Dakota Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Dodge Dakota.

20042006
Complaints
598
Crashes
37
Fires
35
Injuries
28
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2005 Dodge Dakota Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1138 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:94,896 mi
Crash-related:11
#258 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:127,611 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#333 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

Avg mileage:21,731 mi
Crash-related:3
Considering a 2005 Dodge Dakota?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Dodge Dakota.

Airbags
138
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
94,896
Transmission / Drivetrain
58
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
127,611
Hydraulic Brakes
33
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
21,731
Steering Defects
33
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
61,674
Electrical Faults
30
complaints
Crashes
Fires
5
Avg Miles
87,715
Seat-Related Issues
30
complaints
Crashes
Fires
16
Avg Miles
96,660
Suspension Failures
27
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
49,387
Suspension:Front
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
50,242
Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
89,145
Automatic Transmission
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
39,788
Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
7
Avg Miles
77,500
Engine Problems
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
110,473
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
14,348
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
12,123
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
16,901
Seat Belt Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
58,978
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
24,462
Power Train:Axle Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
1,965
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
57,216
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,600
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
96,618
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
289,591
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2005 Dodge Dakota

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~8,993,235 vehicles.

17V820000Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
~16,900 affected

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.

16V352000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~4,648,270 affected

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. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

15V313000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~4,077,169 affected

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 SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

14V770000Airbags
~250,896 affected

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 registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Other Dodge Dakota Years

2005 Dodge Dakota — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2005 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2005 Dodge Dakota has 598 NHTSA complaints, 37 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 138 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2005 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Airbags (138 complaints, avg 94,896 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (58 complaints, avg 127,611 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (33 complaints, avg 21,731 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 2005 Dodge Dakota?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 79,790 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2005 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 2005 Dodge Dakota include 37 crash-related reports, 35 fire reports, 28 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 2005 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,993,235 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2005 Dodge Dakota?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

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 2005 Dodge Dakota

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99