NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
38 reportsClear category filter130,000 miles · Apr 26, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
1. WHILE SITTING IN PARK ON A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IN A STILL POSITION ROLLED FRONT OR BACK MORE THAN A COUPLE INCHES. HAD TO STEP ON BRAKE WHILE IN PARK AND HAD TO BLOCK WHEELS WHEN ENGINE WAS OFF TO KEEP FROM ROLLING. EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD OR WORK PROPERLY EITHER. 2. THE HEATER HAS ONLY HIGH POSITION WORKING NOW. …
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1. WHILE SITTING IN PARK ON A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IN A STILL POSITION ROLLED FRONT OR BACK MORE THAN A COUPLE INCHES. HAD TO STEP ON BRAKE WHILE IN PARK AND HAD TO BLOCK WHEELS WHEN ENGINE WAS OFF TO KEEP FROM ROLLING. EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD OR WORK PROPERLY EITHER. 2. THE HEATER HAS ONLY HIGH POSITION WORKING NOW. THE DASH GETS TO HOT TO EVEN KEEP HEAT ON VERY LONG. FUEL CAP WITH KEY. WHEN GETTING FUEL TRUCK HAS TO BE TURNED OFF BEFORE PUMPING OTHERWISE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH AND NEEDS TO BE RESET OR DRIVEN MILES BEFORE ENGINE LIGHTOR GOES BACK OFF.3. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO REPLACE TWICE NOW. BREAKS HAD TO REPLACE TWICE ALSO DUE TO SUSPENSION BEING OUT OF WHACK AND PROBLEM ABOVE. NOW THERE IS NOISE IN FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AREA. 4. PUT ALL NEW BREAK LINES ON IT BECAUSE THEY KEPT BLOWING OUT. LEAKING IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS BY TOO MUCH PRESSURE BUILD UP IN SECTIONS OF LINES. 5. I BOUGHT IT IN 2018 USED FROM A DEALER. BUT I HAVE PUT SO MUCH WORK ON IT THAT NOW THERE'S A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. 6. HAVING NO OR LITTLE BREAKS ALL OF SUDDEN IN A CROWDED INTERSECTION OR HAVING TO BLOCK WHEELS SO IT DOESN'T ROLL INTO ANOTHER CAR BUT NO ACCIDENT YET BUT COULD HAPPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11322262
199,000 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
VEHICLE WILL SHIFT GEAR MECHANICALLY, BUT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND/OR PARK ON THE DASH. VEHICLE ALSO WILL NOT START AS A RESULT.
NHTSA ODI #11232919
128,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE MASTER WINDOW CONTROL WAS ALSO INOPERABLE AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE MASTER WINDOW CONTROL WAS ALSO INOPERABLE AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS HAD ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL WAS THE SAME FAILURE THAT HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
NHTSA ODI #10578378
110,000 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Power TrainSuspension
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STRAIGHT NO CURVE, THE REAR AXLE OF MY TRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR BY WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING UNCONTROLLED DOWN THE ROAD. IN A COINCIDENCE DODGE IS HAVE A RECALL OF SAME ISSUE FOR ONLY THE 2009 AND 2010 MODELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10479778
100,012 miles · Oct 9, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT BECAME LOOSE. THE AXLE THEN SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT BECAME LOOSE. THE AXLE THEN SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,012 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,205.
NHTSA ODI #10479461
68,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HE NOTICED SMOKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CAR WASH TO STOP IT FROM SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HE NOTICED SMOKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CAR WASH TO STOP IT FROM SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $320.00. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR COST BECAUSE THE REPAIR WAS NOT DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 3/17/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT WAS ON THE HGH VELOCITY JOINT FO THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. UPDATED 05/14/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10312049
60,000 miles · Jun 30, 2009
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
2003 DODGE DAKOTA, 2WD, 5 SPD MANUAL, V6. AT SPEEDS FROM 15 MPH AND UP THE BRAKE SYSTEM SEEMS TO FAIL AS THE TRUCK JUMPS AND SKIDS VERY RAPIDLY. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, TRAFFIC CAME TO A HALT QUICKLY, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS THIS JUMPING AND SKIDD…
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2003 DODGE DAKOTA, 2WD, 5 SPD MANUAL, V6. AT SPEEDS FROM 15 MPH AND UP THE BRAKE SYSTEM SEEMS TO FAIL AS THE TRUCK JUMPS AND SKIDS VERY RAPIDLY. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, TRAFFIC CAME TO A HALT QUICKLY, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS THIS JUMPING AND SKIDDING OCCURED. ALL PARTS ON THE TRUCK ARE FACTORY AND HAVE NOT BEEN MODIFIED. I AM CONCERNED AND WONDERING IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION CLUNKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275390
65,700 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUD COMING FROM THE AXLE AREA. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED COMPLETELY. EVENTUALLY, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND INTERMITTENTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUD COMING FROM THE AXLE AREA. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED COMPLETELY. EVENTUALLY, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND INTERMITTENTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN WIPING AUTOMATICALLY, AND THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CONTINUED TO CHIME. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT ALL THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS SWITCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,700.
NHTSA ODI #10224222
34,700 miles · Aug 24, 2007
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND BEGAN TO ROLL WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34,700.
NHTSA ODI #10200705
34,000 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE STICK SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FIRST GEAR AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE AND THE WEATHER WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LOOKED AT BY A DE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE STICK SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FIRST GEAR AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE AND THE WEATHER WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LOOKED AT BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,750. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
NHTSA ODI #10200503
Official recalls
4Dec 21, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
May 5, 2004
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Oct 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEADLAMP AND DASH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFED BY THE ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN OR LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN, AND, WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS AND REPAIR THE HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Dec 2, 2002
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) HAS AN IMPROPERLY SIZED CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLAMP LOW BEAM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CTM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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