2003 Dodge Dakota problems
The 2003 Dodge Dakota has 420 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (29%) concerns suspension. After that come brakes (13%) and electrical system (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 420 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 29% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 22 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 17 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 34,000 miles 314 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 120 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 49 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 40 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 36 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 17 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 15 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 16 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 7 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 8 |
What the data shows
Among the 314 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 34,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 32,000 miles (89 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 22 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 17 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 21 model years of the Dodge Dakota with enough data (312 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
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.
While driving at any speed the transmission slipped. The vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the transmission needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.
On september 8 2006 my service engine light came on as I was driving home. While climbing a hill the engine started to miss fire and the truck was running very rough. When I crested the hill the vehicle stalled and I lost power brakes and steering. There was no traffice so I was able to pull over and stop the vehicle safely. I looked under the hood and seen that the vacuum line was rotted in half. I tried to restart the vehicle and it would not run. I spliced the line and was able to get the vehicle home.