11 recalls and 296 owner complaints on record for this model year.
This page describes the model. To see how one particular car is equipped, and whether its identifier is valid, decode its VIN.
Decode a VINAlmost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
MY 18 MONTH OLD SON AND I WERE IN A SINGLE CAR ROLLOVER, ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN MY TRUCK STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE, THEN WE WERE SENT INTO A ROLLOVER. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS GONE WHEN WE STOPPED. I WAS SENT INFORMATION FROM MY UNCLE AFTER I SENT HIM PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT AND HE SENT ME INFORMATION ON THE POSSIBLE RECALL. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE AND WHAT DO I DO NOW. *NM
I WAS CAUGHT IN AN ICE STORM IN MY 2003, DODGE DAKOTA, 4X4 QUAD CAB. THE TRUCK WENT INTO A SLIGHT SPIN AND BUMPED A SMALL CURB THEN SLID UP OVER THE CURB. I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT APPROX. 5 MPH WHEN I BUMPED THE CURB. THE AXLE SHEARED OFF AND BROKE THE HUB, ROTOR, WHEEL, TIRE, AND BENT THE AXLE HOUSING. THE TRUCK WAS RENDERED UNDRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I CALLED DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND ASKED FOR THE PARTS TO BE TESTED FOR DEFECTIVENESS. I HAD SEEN SEVERAL WEB SITES DEVOTED TO AXLES PUT INTO DODGE TRUCKS THAT WERE KNOWN TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER TO BE DEFECTIVE DUE TO POOR HEAT TREATING. I WAS TREATED VERY RUDELY AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT ADDRESSED. SINCE THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS AND MACHINISTS LOOK AT THIS AXLE AND ALL SAY THAT IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BROKEN UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT WAS SUBJECTED TO. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, FEARING THAT THE REST OF THE AXLES ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE. I AM GETTING NO SATISFACTION IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM AND MY OWN INSURANCE HAD TO PAY THE $3,000. DAMAGE CAUSED BY A 5 MPH BUMP. *NM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED VARIOUS INJURIES AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AS WELL AS PHYSICAL THERAPY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 201,475.
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2014, DURING A TRIP FROM SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA TO LARAMIE, WYOMING, WE SUFFERED TWO BLOWOUTS OF GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRES IN SIZE P265 70 R16. IN EACH INSTANCE THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE TIRES WERE WELL MAINTAINED AND PROPERLY INFLATED. AT 10:00AM, TRAVELING 65MPH ON INTERSTATE 35, NORTH OF DES MOINES, IOWA WE SUFFERED THE FIRST BLOWOUT. THERE WAS A LOUD WHUP, WHUP, WHUP NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. WE WERE ABLE TO SAFELY REDUCE SPEED AND PULL OVER. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. WE HAD THE DAMAGED TIRE REPLACED IN AMES, IOWA AT A GOODYEAR DEALER. AT OUR NEXT STOP, I CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE IN ALL 4 TIRES. THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS AT 32 PSI. I INFLATED THE LEFT REAR TIRE TO 40 PSI TO MATCH THE OTHER 3 TIRES. WHILE TRAVELING 75 MPH ON INTERSTATE 80, EAST OF LARAMIE AT 11:00PM WE SUFFERED THE SECOND BLOWOUT. AGAIN THERE WAS A LOUD WHUP, WHUP, WHUP NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. I REDUCED SPEED AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE WHICH SENT THE TRUCK INTO A WILD FISHTAIL SKID. WE CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AND THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED INOPERABLE. WE GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND SURVEYED THE DAMAGE. IT WAS THEN WE DISCOVERED THAT A PORTION OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE INNER TUBE OF THE TIRE WAS EXPOSED BUT STILL INFLATED. AFTER THE CRASH I WAS MADE AWARE OF A RECALL BY GOODYEAR OF THEIR WRANGLER TIRES. WHILE THE TIRES DESCRIBED ABOVE DO NOT FALL INTO THE DOT NUMBERS OF THE RECALL, I WOULD ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE FURTHER AND BROADEN THE RANGE OF RECALL AS THE BLOWOUT THAT CAUSED OUR CRASH APPEARS TO BE THE SAME AS THE BLOWOUT THAT CAUSED A CRASH IN TEXAS THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATHS OF TWO COLLEGE STUDENTS ON AUGUST 01, 2011. *TR
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED 2003 DODGE DAKOTA'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME CUTS, BRUISES AND PULLED MUSCLES FROM THE SEAT BELT AND HITTING THE DASH. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 18, 2005. THE LOCATION THE CONSUMER SAYS, WAS ON THE FRONT RIGHT BUMPER. THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW IF ANY OF THE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE HIT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT HE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE HIT. *NM
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND SLID INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS FORCED OVER TWO LANES. THE CONSUMER STRUCK A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT, BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AND DID NOT NEEDED TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED. *JB
WHILE DRIVING ON MD RT 468 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:10 AM ON JANUARY 9, 2004, THE DRIVER OF MY TRUCK HIT A SMALL PATCH OF ICE AT WHICH TIME THE TRUCK WENT INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN. AT SOME POINT DURING THE SPIN THE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF AT WHICH TIME THE DRIVER LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT RAN OFF OF THE ROAD AND HIT THREE TREES. AN INSPECTION OF THE WHEEL, TIRE ROD AND BALL JOINT REVEALED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS RUSTED AND SNAPPED OFF. *JB
AIRBAG FAILURE ON 2003 DODGE DAKOTA SXT. FORCE WAS SUCH THAT FRAME OF TRUCK IS BENT AND WILL BE REPLACED BUT NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS ON SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED. A VISIT TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM QUICKLY MADE ME AWARE THAT DAIMLER HAS THIS PROBLEM ON MANY OF ITS VEHICLES BUT SENDS THE SAME "FORM" LETTER TO EACH CONSUMER REPORTING THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER WAS INJURIED AND TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL.A POLICE REPORT WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC DETECTED THAT BOTH FRONTAL BALL JOINTS CRACKED. *AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHT SOCKET BURNED WHERE THE BULB WAS PLUGGED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SOCKET WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,940.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO DEFECTIVE CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
MY HUSBAND AND I HAD DRIVEN OUR 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE MILES WHEN WE SMELLED SMOKE. MY HUSBAND LOOKED IN OUR REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BETWEEN THE CAB AND TRUCK BED NOT FROM THE ENGINE AREA. AT THE SAME TIME, I GLANCED IN THE SIDE MIRRORS AND SAW SOMETHING LIQUID (OR MELTED) DRIPPING BEHIND US ON FIRE IN THE ROAD AND LEAVING A BURNING TRAIL ON THE ASPHALT. WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER (THANK GOD THERE WAS A SPOT TO DO SO!) BUT HAD NO BRAKES. DUE TO THE SANDY NATURE OF THE DIRT AND SLIGHT UPHILL HE WAS ABLE TO THROW IT INTO PARK. I BAILED OUT MY SIDE AND RAN. RANDY TRIED TO EXIT HIS SIDE, BUT THE FLAMES WERE ALREADY TOO HIGH SO HE LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET OUT MY SIDE AS WELL. THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WHEN RANDY HIT THE GROUND HE NOTICED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HANGING DOWN AND ON ALSO FIRE. THE TRUCK EXPLODED ABOUT 10 - 15 SECONDS AFTER WE ESCAPED. THIS WAS A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE BOTH INSIDE AND OUT AND WE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT WE WERE IN ANY DANGER OR THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. *TR
TRUCK WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY AND CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT FIREWALL AND WINDSHIELD.IT HADNOT BEEN DRIVEN IN ABOUT 36 HOURS.
WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE WIRE HARNESS. DEALERSHIP/ECHANIC TRIED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES BEFORE, BUT HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM.*AK
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
Remedy: SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
The airbag could rupture when activated, leading to fragmentation of the airbag parts. These small parts could be projected towards the driver/occupants, potentially causing serious or even fatal injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles
Matched on brand and model name — Safety Gate publishes no VIN. Check the production dates, and quote the recall code to a dealer.