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2004 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 166.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

168 reports with mileage · 38 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

I AM LOOKING FOR ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO SPEAK TO MY ATTORNEY ABOUT PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING WITH THEIR 04 DAKOTA'S. I HAVE HAD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END, WHIRLING NOISE AT IDLING GETS LOUDER WHEN BLINKER ON, WINDOWS MAKE CLUNKING NOISE WHILE ROLLING UP OR DOWN, SEVER E SHAKING WHILE BRAKING ( WARPED ROTORS), T…

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I AM LOOKING FOR ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO SPEAK TO MY ATTORNEY ABOUT PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING WITH THEIR 04 DAKOTA'S. I HAVE HAD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END, WHIRLING NOISE AT IDLING GETS LOUDER WHEN BLINKER ON, WINDOWS MAKE CLUNKING NOISE WHILE ROLLING UP OR DOWN, SEVER E SHAKING WHILE BRAKING ( WARPED ROTORS), TRANSMISSION LEAKING, AND THE LIST GOES ON. I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF LEMON LAW AND IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO BE ABLE TO FIND AN ATTORNEY. THIS ONE IS EXCELLENT.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10144718

10,000 miles · Dec 26, 2004
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

BOUGHT DAKOTA NEW JAN,04 AT 10000,15000,AND 18000ROTORS WERE REPLACED FOR SHAKE IN TK WHEN BRAKING STILL HAS PROBLEM FRONT HUBS AND BEARINGS REPLACED HAS POPPING NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING SOMETIMES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TRUCK PULLS TO LEFT FRONT DRIVESHAFT AND DRIVER WINDOW REGULATER HAS BEEN REPLACED ALSO 2 SENSORS IN TRA…

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BOUGHT DAKOTA NEW JAN,04 AT 10000,15000,AND 18000ROTORS WERE REPLACED FOR SHAKE IN TK WHEN BRAKING STILL HAS PROBLEM FRONT HUBS AND BEARINGS REPLACED HAS POPPING NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING SOMETIMES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TRUCK PULLS TO LEFT FRONT DRIVESHAFT AND DRIVER WINDOW REGULATER HAS BEEN REPLACED ALSO 2 SENSORS IN TRANS REPLACED.TEMPERATURE GUAGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO HOT 1 TIME WHEN TRUCK WAS STARTED. WISH DODGE WOULD JUST BUY IT BACK.MY FIRST AND LAST DODGE EVER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10104512

3,500 miles · Dec 15, 2004
Power Train

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD TRANSMISSION IS NOT DISCONNECTING FROM THE ENGINE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMS IT RUNS OKAY. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE LEFT OVERNIGHT AT THE DEALERS TO SEE IF THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10103824

100 miles · Nov 27, 2004
Power TrainSuspension

TRANSMISSION SLIPS, RATTLING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THIS TRUCK BACK TO OUTTEN COUNTY CHRYSLER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX ANY OF THE PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100605

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2004
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO SHIFT GEARS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10099998

560 miles · Sep 13, 2004
Power Train

AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOUR TIMES, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN. ALSO, THE GEAR DROPPED INTO LOWER GEAR AND BUCKED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10091891

450 miles · Apr 27, 2004
Power Train

TRANSMISSION,DAY 1 LEAKING,REPLACED REAR TAIL AND SEAL, STILL LEAKING,THEN REPLACED THE YOKEAND UNIVERSIL,PROBLEM WITH LEAK SOLVED,NOW TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IREGULAR,HARD THUMPING NOISE COMEING FROM TRANSMISSION,LOUD CRACKING CRUNCHING NOISE COMING FROM SOME WHERE, DEALER SAYS ITS IN TRANSMISSION,DEALER DONT NOW PROBLEM, WANT TO L…

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TRANSMISSION,DAY 1 LEAKING,REPLACED REAR TAIL AND SEAL, STILL LEAKING,THEN REPLACED THE YOKEAND UNIVERSIL,PROBLEM WITH LEAK SOLVED,NOW TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IREGULAR,HARD THUMPING NOISE COMEING FROM TRANSMISSION,LOUD CRACKING CRUNCHING NOISE COMING FROM SOME WHERE, DEALER SAYS ITS IN TRANSMISSION,DEALER DONT NOW PROBLEM, WANT TO LOOK IN TRANSMISSION, ALSO WHENRESUMEING TO SPEED IN SET CRUZ CONTROL,VIOLENT DOWN SHIFTING 5 MILES PER HOUR BEFORE SET SPEED,GOIG TO DEALER TO HAVE A LOOK AT AGAIN . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067906

1,500 miles · Mar 22, 2004
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

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.BEARI…

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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 HATE TO SEE THE WORST! SO FAR THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AC CONDENSER, COMPLETE RACK & PINION STEERING SYSTEM, COMPLETE DRIVE SHAFT, REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING, REAR SWAYBAR LINKS, THE BRAKES SHUDDER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP , LEFT FRONT BRAKE SQUEAL, FRONT END NEEDED ALIGNING AFTER RACK & PINION STEERING REPLACEMENT . TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM TAIL SHAFT SEAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063654

1,200 miles · Jan 22, 2004
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #10054685

Official recalls

1

04V216000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.