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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

Structure complaints

7 reports
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10,000 miles · Jun 6, 2018
StructureVisibility

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 REMEDI…

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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 DODGE RAM IN DAVIE, FL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT OVER THE YEARS, THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, THREE TIMES ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, THREE TIMES ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, AND THREE TIMES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11100125

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2014
Structure

PAINT PEELING, RUST ON REAR FENDERS AND OTHER SPOTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607964

50,000 miles · Mar 10, 2009
Structure

BOUGHT USED 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN DEC 2008 ALMOST TWO MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FLOORBOARD IS WET. TOOK IT BACK TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY TOOK THE INTERIOR OUT AND DRIED IT THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO A BODY SHOP TO GET THE LEAK FIXED BUT COULD NOT TELL ME EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK IS LOCAT…

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BOUGHT USED 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN DEC 2008 ALMOST TWO MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FLOORBOARD IS WET. TOOK IT BACK TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY TOOK THE INTERIOR OUT AND DRIED IT THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO A BODY SHOP TO GET THE LEAK FIXED BUT COULD NOT TELL ME EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK IS LOCATED. I WOULD LIKE DODGE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE HEARD OF MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH DODGE DAKOTAS. TOO MUCH MONEY FOR A TRUCK TO HAVE A PROBLEM. THE TRUCK SMELLS OF MOLD AND I HAVE WASTED MY MONEY AND HAVE NO WHERE TO TURN AT THIS POINT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261385

95 miles · Aug 21, 2007
Fuel System, GasolineStructureSuspension

WHEN BRAKING FOR A STOP, WITH THE GAS TANK BETWEEN HALF AND FULL, THERE IS A LOUD "THUMPING" NOISE A FEW SECONDS AFTER BEGIN STOPPED. THE ORIGINAL GAS TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE NOISE STILL EXISTS. PER THE DEALER, 2005 AND LATER MODELS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. WHY CAN THIS NOT BE CORRECTED ON THE 2004 MODELS? *TR T…

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WHEN BRAKING FOR A STOP, WITH THE GAS TANK BETWEEN HALF AND FULL, THERE IS A LOUD "THUMPING" NOISE A FEW SECONDS AFTER BEGIN STOPPED. THE ORIGINAL GAS TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE NOISE STILL EXISTS. PER THE DEALER, 2005 AND LATER MODELS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. WHY CAN THIS NOT BE CORRECTED ON THE 2004 MODELS? *TR THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS TO HIS UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK ON 2004 DODGE DAKOTA'S. THE CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHY THE LATER MODELS WERE CORRECTED AND NOT THE MODEL HE POSSESS WHICH HAS THE SAME DEFECT? THE DEALER STATED KNOCKING NOISE ON FLOOR THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A LIFT AND THE AXLE NUTS WERE RE-TORQUED. WATER LEAKED OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THE HOLE WAS SEALED. THE DEALER STATED CLICKING NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR UPDATED 09/06/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10200246

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

9,000 miles · Aug 11, 2005
EquipmentSeatsSteering

DT: 2004 DODGE, DAKOTA. THE CONSUMER STATED STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IT WAS STILL DEFECTIVE. THE IDLER ARMS WERE REPLACED ONCE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. SHE REPEATEDLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HAD THE IDLER AR…

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DT: 2004 DODGE, DAKOTA. THE CONSUMER STATED STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IT WAS STILL DEFECTIVE. THE IDLER ARMS WERE REPLACED ONCE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. SHE REPEATEDLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HAD THE IDLER ARMS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CLICK WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, IT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONSUMER FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. ALSO, POWER STEERING PUMP, THE RADIO, AND THE KNEE PANEL HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR SHOCKS AND SPRINGS/ THE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR/DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT/THE CLOCK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE, ROOF JOINT MOLDING WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 800 MILES ON IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10132505

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2005
Structure

I BOUGHT A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN JANUARY OF '04 AND IN AUGUST OF THAT YEAR I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BUCKET SEAT HAD RUST ON THE FRAME. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO HUBLER DODGE OF INDIANAPOLIS AND THE FIRST THING THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. NOTHING WAS DONE AT THIS TIME, THEN IN AUGUST OF 2004, I NOTICED THE…

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I BOUGHT A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN JANUARY OF '04 AND IN AUGUST OF THAT YEAR I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BUCKET SEAT HAD RUST ON THE FRAME. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO HUBLER DODGE OF INDIANAPOLIS AND THE FIRST THING THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. NOTHING WAS DONE AT THIS TIME, THEN IN AUGUST OF 2004, I NOTICED THE PASSENGER FRONT BUCKET SEAT HAD SURFACE CORROSION. I TOOK IT BACK TO HUBLER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD REPLACE THE SEATS AFTER JANUARY 7, 2005. THIS WAS SO THEY WOULD NOT NEED APPROVAL FROM THEIR DISTRICT MANAGER TO OK THE WORK. DUE TO MY SCHEDULE I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THEM IN FEB. '05 AND WAS TOLD ONLY THE FRAMES HAD BEEN REPLACED. I INSPECTED THEM, AND THEY HAD SURFACE RUST ON THEM ALSO. THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT. I ASKED TO HAVE THE DISTRICT MANAGER CALL, AND I WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD. ABOUT 1 WEEK WENT BY AND NOTHING FROM HUBLER. I WENT IN TO HUBLER, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH THE DM. ATER MUCH DISCUSSION AND MISINFORMATION FROM HUBLER, I WAS TOLD THAT IS HOW THE FRAMES COME FROM THE FACTORY AND THAT SURFACE RUST IS OK AND WILL NOT POSE A PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT LET ME SPEAK TO THE STORE MANAGER AND/OR OWNER, NOR WOULD THEY GIVE ME A DIRECT NUMBER TO THE DISTRICT MANAGER. I HAD THIS DOCUMENTED AND LEFT THE ESTABLISHMENT. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE FRAME IF NEEDED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10112373

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.