2004 Dodge Dakota recalls & problems

5 recalls 206 complaints

5recalls
206owner complaints
11crashes reported
6fires reported
8 / 2injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2004 Dodge Dakota and 206 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is steering (77 reports), followed by suspension (53). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2004 Dodge Dakota recalls

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 09E025000 · May 11, 2009

Problem: 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.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

42,540 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

Problem: 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.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

16,270 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Suspension · NHTSA 08E064000 · Oct 20, 2008

Problem: 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.

Risk: Improper seating of the wheel can result in excessive vibration, brake rotor noise, difficulty removing the wheel after installation and operation of the vehicle, and possibly wheel-end separation during vehicle operation. Should wheel-end separation occur, the driver could loose control of the…

Fix: 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.

2,805 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

Problem: 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.

Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

61,944 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Visibility · NHTSA 04V216000 · May 5, 2004

Problem: 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.

Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper module. Owner notification began on july 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

320,188 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2004 Dodge Dakota problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering 77
000
Suspension 53
200
Power Train 23
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 23
000
Electrical System 22
030
Air Bags 16
828
Engine and Engine Cooling 12
100
Visibility 12
010
Structure 8
000
Exterior Lighting 6
000
Vehicle Speed Control 6
000
Fuel System, Gasoline 4
000
Unknown or Other 4
000
Seats 4
000
Tires 4
000
Wheels 3
000
Equipment 3
000
Visibility/Wiper 2
000
Service Brakes, Air 1
000
Service Brakes 1
000
Seat Belts 1
100
Parking Brake 1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
000

Latest owner complaints

Electrical System · Sep 2, 2022 · OH

While driving my 2004 dodge Dakota all the gauges, including the speedometer and the tachometer stopped working. Everything went off although the truck was still running. I had headlights turn signals an emergency flashers nothing else. I don’t know how fast I was going how much fuel I had or if my engine was running hot nothing. This is something that could spook a driver…

Power Train · Nov 15, 2021 · MT

Unknown the four wheel drive was out when I purchased it I didn't realize until later that day when I drove it and tried to engage it. It no longer works and it is a safety hazard to even try and turn on it doesn't engage and makes a noise and catches in some sort of way I believe it may have affected the transmission as well. My safety and the safety of others could be at…

Power Train · Nov 4, 2020 · 202,875 miles · OH

My vehicles drive shaft fell off while making a stop at a red light, the pinon nut had come loose. It was towed to a mechanic's shop, my dad came and reattached it. It still made a whirring sound, at first I was on the way to the mechanic for what I though was a pinon seal leak.

Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 13, 2020 · 150,000 miles · TN

Trans shift solenoid control pack code popped up and does not shift smoothly at all

Power Train · Feb 13, 2020 · 150,000 miles · TN

Trans shift solenoid control pack code popped up and does not shift smoothly at all

Unknown or Other · Jul 23, 2018 · 87,000 miles · IN

Shifter will move without key in ignition. Will role in any direction in any position but park. Can remove key from ignition while running. While it's still running with key out can shift and drive. Other times when I go to start engine the key won't turn. I have to hit the end of the key with the palm of one hand while the other turns it. Replaced the ball joints the first of…

Visibility · Jun 6, 2018 · 10,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. While the vehicle was parked, the rear passenger side window became dislodged from the vehicle, fell to the ground, and shattered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the window regulator failed. The regulator was replaced and the failure was remedied. The local dealer (rob lambdin's university…

Structure · Jun 6, 2018 · 10,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. While the vehicle was parked, the rear passenger side window became dislodged from the vehicle, fell to the ground, and shattered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the window regulator failed. The regulator was replaced and the failure was remedied. The local dealer (rob lambdin's university…

Steering · May 14, 2018 · 106,000 miles · NY

The steering is very hard to turn either left or right at most times. Feels as if the power steering has failed, but had it inspected by mechanic and says power steering pump and belts are fine. This difficulty in steering is also accompanied by a grinding type of noise in the steering column behind the steeing wheel. It has become more than just an occasional annoyance but…

Visibility/Wiper · Dec 18, 2017 · 97,448 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. When the heater was activated, there was no air flow distributed into the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the local dealer at his own expense. The failure mileage was 97,448.

Exterior Lighting · Jun 8, 2017 · 134,000 miles · OR

The driver headlight quit working. I went to the store to replace it thinking it had burnt out. When I replaced the light it did not work still and the old headlight still had both filaments proving it was still good. I took the truck to the dealership after both headlights quit working on me when I was out at night driving less than a 10TH of a mile from home. I managed to…

Visibility/Wiper · Jun 8, 2017 · 134,000 miles · OR

The driver headlight quit working. I went to the store to replace it thinking it had burnt out. When I replaced the light it did not work still and the old headlight still had both filaments proving it was still good. I took the truck to the dealership after both headlights quit working on me when I was out at night driving less than a 10TH of a mile from home. I managed to…

Other Dodge Dakota years

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 2004 Dodge Dakota, the most recent one (09E025000) for exterior lighting. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge Dakota?

Based on 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are steering (77), suspension (53), power train (23).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2004 Dodge Dakota?

Owners reported 11 crashes, 6 fires, 8 injuries and 2 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.