2004 Dodge DAKOTA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10049661 · 2003-12-12 (December 12, 2003)
CLICKING OR TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TRUCK RETURNED TO DEALER WITH NO SATISFACTION TO DATE. MECHANICS STATE IT MAY BE THE TIMING CHAIN AND SERVICE ADVISOR STATES THEY HAVE TO WAIT ON A REPRESENTATIVE TO COME CHECK THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY CAN STATE WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THIS SYSTEM HOWEVER THEY STATE THE REPRESENTATIVE CANNOT ARRIVE BEFORE AFTER THE NEW YEAR. A MONTH IN A TRUCK THAT I CANNOT TAKE ON CHRISTMAS VACATION. DEALER HAS INFORMED ME TO KEEP OPERATING THE VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF THE CLI…
Owner-reported narrative. 239 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050034 · 2003-12-04 (December 4, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIES TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE REVSUP BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD TRY TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE, ONLY TO HAVE THE RPM'S TO INCREASE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST. THE DEALER TRIED TO FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO. THE MANUFACTURERS IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050034 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 10063524 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
WHEN ROLLING OVER A PIECE OF WOOD IN THE ROAD RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. NO INJURES REPORTED. *AK CONSUMER ALSO LEARNED THAT HE COULDN'T PURCHASE TIRES ON VEHICLE , ONLY PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ARE AVAILABLE. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 441 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063524 at NHTSA ↗
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 10064246 · 2004-03-31 (March 31, 2004)
I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2004 DAKOTA THAT HAS A BALL JOINT SQUEAK STARTING ALREADY AT JUST OVER 4000 MILES. THE LOCAL GARAGE I TOOK IT TO TELLS ME THAT IT IS THE START OF THE BALL JOINT PROBLEMS THAT DAKOTA'S ARE NOTORIOUS FOR. MY SHORT INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET TURNED UP ALL KINDS OF DISCUSSION AND EXPENSIVE HORROR STORIES. MY SON HAS A 2002 DAKOTA WHICH HAS HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED 3 TIMES ALSO. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW AND A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE ON CBS, IF THESE AREN'T TAKEN CARE OF, THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065342 · 2004-03-31 (March 31, 2004)
THE BALL JOINTS HAS ALREADY STARTED TO SQUEAK ON THE CONSUMERS NEW TRUCK. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THEM REPLACED WITH NON-DEFECTIVE PARTS. *PH *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065342 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V216000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2004-05-05 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗