TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN THE DIRECTION THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
2004 Dodge Dakota
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 166.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Dakota years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
168 reports with mileage · 38 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
206 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE THE WIRE CONNECTED TO THE HEATER BLOWER MELTED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL OF A FIRE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FIALURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE THE WIRE CONNECTED TO THE HEATER BLOWER MELTED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL OF A FIRE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FIALURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ANOTHER REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEAT BLOWER FAN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE RESISTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE WIRING WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEAT BLOWER FAN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE RESISTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE WIRING WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED. THE FAILED COMPONENT WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.THE MAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED. THE FAILED COMPONENT WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED FIRST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FILED A CLAIM ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED UNDER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND VARIOUS FUSES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED UNDER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND VARIOUS FUSES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V216000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,676 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,328.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME STIFF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME STIFF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF UPDATED 06/13/11
POWER STEERING GOES LOOSE-STIFF-LOOSE-STIFF WHILE TURNING. *TR
2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB: HAS POWER WINDOWS. ON A TRIP FROM MONTROSE CO. TO DENVER CO. PUT DOWN THE 3 PASSENGER WINDOWS. WHEN TRIED TO PUT THEM BACK UP WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL WINDOWS UP AND DUCK TAPE THEM....AND HOPED THEY WOULD NOT COME DOWN ON TRIP BACK HOME...IT WAS RAINY, SNOWY COLORADO WEATHER. I FE…
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2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB: HAS POWER WINDOWS. ON A TRIP FROM MONTROSE CO. TO DENVER CO. PUT DOWN THE 3 PASSENGER WINDOWS. WHEN TRIED TO PUT THEM BACK UP WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL WINDOWS UP AND DUCK TAPE THEM....AND HOPED THEY WOULD NOT COME DOWN ON TRIP BACK HOME...IT WAS RAINY, SNOWY COLORADO WEATHER. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF CHILDREN IN THE TRUCK AND CONSTANTLY WATCH FOR WINDOWS TO GO BACK DOWN. I CAN HEAR THE POWER MOTORS WORKING BUT THE WINDOWS WILL NOT MOVE. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA BEGAN HAVING STEERING ISSUES LAST FALL WHICH BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER THE FOLLOWING WEEKS. THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I MADE A TURN IT WAS STIFF, THEN LOOSE, THEN STIFF AGAIN AS YOU CRANKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS WOULD CAUSE ME TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO TURN THE TRUCK, T…
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MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA BEGAN HAVING STEERING ISSUES LAST FALL WHICH BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER THE FOLLOWING WEEKS. THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I MADE A TURN IT WAS STIFF, THEN LOOSE, THEN STIFF AGAIN AS YOU CRANKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS WOULD CAUSE ME TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO TURN THE TRUCK, THEN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SUDDENLY LOOSEN UP, CAUSING YOU TO SWERVE. THIS CAUSED ME ENOUGH CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY THAT I HAD A MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK. HE FIRST THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID SO HE FLUSHED OUT THE SYSTEM. PROBLEM PERSISTED. HE THEN REPLACED THE STEERING RACK. JERKY/STIFF STEERING CONTINUED TO OCCUR. AFTER READING ON A DODGE FORUM ABOUT THIS ISSUE HE TRIED THE "TEMPORARY FIX" OF LUBRICATING THE LOWER U-JOINT ON THE INTERMEDIATE ROD AND THIS SEEMS TO HAVE RETURNED THE STEERING TO A NORMAL STATE. HOWEVER, MY MECHANIC FEELS THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND FEELS THE ROD SHOULD BE REPLACED. PREFERABLY WITH A ROD THAT HAS GREASE FITTINGS. APPARENTLY THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL WHICH DODGE IS AWARE OF, BUT HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
Official recalls
104V216000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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