2004 Dodge DAKOTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
206 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
51,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 168 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 206 complaints (31.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 76 | 36.9% |
| Braking behavior | 30 | 14.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 6.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 3.9% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 64 |
| Suspension:Front | 16 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 12 |
| Suspension | 12 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 12 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
Steering: 64; Suspension:Front: 16; Electrical System: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 12; Suspension: 12; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 12; Air Bags: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 53 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 26 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 44 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 53; 25,000 to 49,999: 26; 50,000 to 74,999: 44; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 9
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (53). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 35 |
| 2005 | 24 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 23 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2004: 35; 2005: 24; 2006: 11; 2007: 16; 2008: 20; 2009: 23; 2010: 14; 2011: 14; 2012: 9; 2013: 3; 2014: 11; 2015: 7; 2016: 6; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 76 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10063654 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)
LOUD THUNKING NOISE COMES FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. REP FROM CHRYSLER STATED THIS WAS COMING FROM THE GAS TANK . THERE IS A VIBRATION BETWEEN 30-45 MPH COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN. REP STATED THIS WAS "NORMAL".THERE IS ALSO A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. REP ALSO STATES THIS IS NORMAL.BEARING NOSIE IS COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA SXT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES AND THE DEALER STILL CANNOT FIX. THE REP FROM CHRYSLER STATED THIS IS THE "BEST" TRUCK DODGE HAS EVER BUILT. I'D HA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067357 · 2004-04-19 (April 19, 2004)
PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WOBBLED WHILE DRIVING. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092572 · 2004-09-17 (September 17, 2004)
WHEN SLOWING DOWN BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054685 · 2004-01-22 (January 22, 2004)
STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, HAD VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR *MANUAL TRANSMISSION*, AFTER LIGHT CHANGED, PUT INTO GEAR, TRUCK LURCHED THEN WAS THROWN OUT OF GEAR, MAKING A LOUD GRINDING SOUND. IT HAS HAPPEND 3 TIMES SINCE THEN. DEALER SAYS TRANSMISSION IS JUST NEW BUT IT HAS 1000 MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141758 · 2005-11-04 (November 4, 2005)
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING. THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK RIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE HAND SOMETIMES IS ON HOT AS SOON AS YOU CRANK THE TRUCK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON TOO. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT A YEAR AGO. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10141758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10186524 · 2007-03-29 (March 29, 2007)
ON 3/25, MY TRUCKS INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. ALL OF MY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY ODOMETER QUIT WORKING. IT SAID "NO BUS". I CONTACTED SAVANNAH DODGE ABOUT THE ISSUE ON 3/26, 7:45 AM. AN APPOINTMENT FOR 2:00 WAS SCHEDULED. UPON DROPPING THE TRUCK OFF, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRUCK WOULD BE DIAGNOSED AND READY FOR ME THE NEXT MORNING. MY RECEIPT ALSO STATES THAT THE PROMISED COMPLETION DATE WOULD BE 3/27. ON 3/27, I CALLED SAVANNAH DODGE AT 2:00 PM TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF MY TRUCK. I WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE MEMBER THAT ** WAS OUT O…
Owner-reported narrative. 41,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087044 · 2004-08-17 (August 17, 2004)
FROM DAY 1 WHEN I PULLED OFF OF THE DEALERS LOT, THE TRUCK WILL STALL AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR RIGHT AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN CRANKED UP. WILL NOT SHUT COMPLETELY OFF BUT WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION IF WOULD ACT AS ONLY ONE PISTON IS FIRING. HAVE CARRIED THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES THE FIRST THREE MONTHS. ONLY AFTER DIAMLER CHRYSLER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE DOWN THEY DID A TEMPORARY FIX BY REPLACING THE O2 SENSORS. THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS. NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 6 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101939 · 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. SOMETIMES IT TOOK 10 MINUTES, SOMETIMES 2 HOURS BEFORE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES. DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS DONE, BUT NO ENGINE FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. NO PARTS WERE REPLACED. THEY ONLY REFLASHED THE ENGINE, BUT THIS FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099359 · 2004-11-03 (November 3, 2004)
WHEN VEHICLE HAS 3/4 TANK OF GAS. WHEN SLOWING DOWN THERE IS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. *BF WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP A DELAY THEN A THUMP SOUND COMES FROM THE BACK WALL OF THE TRUCK. 1ST GAS TANK STARTED THIS OVER HALF OF A TANK. TANK WAS REPLACED AND NOW YOU HEAR THE THUMP WHEN THE TANK IS AT 3/4 FULL. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 3,521 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099359 at NHTSA ↗