← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

206 reports
37,456 miles · Jun 8, 2008
Suspension

CAN HEAR A POPPING NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT END WHEN GOING INTO DRIVEWAYS OR MAKING RIGHT TURNS. ON 6/4/08 TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER AND THEY STATED THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS WERE WORN OUT AS WELL AS THE SHOCKS. 1500$ LATER THEY REPLACED THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS, SHOCKS, AND A FULL ALIGNMENT. ALL OF THIS AT ONLY 37K MILES! AS SOON AS …

Read full complaint

CAN HEAR A POPPING NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT END WHEN GOING INTO DRIVEWAYS OR MAKING RIGHT TURNS. ON 6/4/08 TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER AND THEY STATED THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS WERE WORN OUT AS WELL AS THE SHOCKS. 1500$ LATER THEY REPLACED THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS, SHOCKS, AND A FULL ALIGNMENT. ALL OF THIS AT ONLY 37K MILES! AS SOON AS I GOT THE VEHICLE HOME THE NOISE IS STILL THERE ALBEIT LESS NOTICEABLE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SAME DEALER ON 6/6/08 AND NOISE COULD NOT BE HEARD AND DEALERS MECHANIC STATED IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND TO BRING IT BACK IF THE NOISE IS REPRODUCIBLE. BE READING OTHER COMPLAINTS AND SUSPECT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE BAD OR GOING BUT DEALER SAID THEY WERE OK. SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THEIR FRONT ENDS GO OUT AT SUCH LOW MILES. PLEASE CONTACT ME SO WE CAN GET THIS FIXED THROUGH A RECALL. DEALER SAID HE KEPT THE BROKEN PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230291

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2008
Steering

IN REFERENCE TO ODI COMPLAINT 10224785... I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE ON MY VEHICLE TWICE. IT IS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, THAT BEING 04' DAKOTA. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS KNOWN TO DODGE AS THEY HAVE A VERY SMALL NOTATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL IN REFERENCE TO THE STEERING SHAFT. AT PRESENT THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO OCCUR EVE…

Read full complaint

IN REFERENCE TO ODI COMPLAINT 10224785... I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE ON MY VEHICLE TWICE. IT IS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, THAT BEING 04' DAKOTA. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS KNOWN TO DODGE AS THEY HAVE A VERY SMALL NOTATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL IN REFERENCE TO THE STEERING SHAFT. AT PRESENT THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO OCCUR EVERY 2ND SPRING (AFTER SPRING THAW AND WET ROADS), AND IN MY OPINION IT'S DUE TO A LACK OF GREASE FITTINGS ON THE STEERING LINKAGE. AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE THESE "GREASE TIPS", HOWEVER THE STANDARD DODGE SUPPLIED PARTS DO NOT. IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AS IT OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND SIMULATES THE FEELING OF COMPLETE POWER STEERING LOSS. PERSONALLY IT ALMOST RESULTED IN 2 ACCIDENTS, HOWEVER I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT MY VEHICLE BEFORE ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAME INVOLVED. AS I AM CANADIAN I HAVE FILED A REPORT WITH TRANSPORT CANADA, HOWEVER FELT IT IMPORTANT TO REPORT TO ODI AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229971

59,000 miles · May 15, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE CONTACT TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ANY DIRECTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE CONTACT TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ANY DIRECTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10227887

61,827 miles · May 3, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A TOTAL LOSS AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226549

58,131 miles · Apr 17, 2008
Steering

I AM REPORTING THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. MY METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB EXHIBITED INTERMITTENT BINDING OF THE STEERING MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED MY SUSPENSION THAT IT WAS THE INTERMEDIAT…

Read full complaint

I AM REPORTING THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. MY METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB EXHIBITED INTERMITTENT BINDING OF THE STEERING MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED MY SUSPENSION THAT IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT THAT WAS BINDING DUE TO ?RUST? AND REPLACED THE COMPONENT AT A COST TO ME OF $310.00 PARTS AND LABOR. THIS COMPONENT HAD SURFACE RUST ONLY ON A SEALED NON-GREASY FITTING AND SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITH A VEHICLE LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES OF USE. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY INDICATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224785

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2008
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN RECALIBRATED ONE TIME. WHEN A PASSENGER OR OBJECT IS SEATED IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT DIMS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RECALIBRATED EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ACCORDING TO A FEDERAL LAW. THE DEALER CHARGED …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN RECALIBRATED ONE TIME. WHEN A PASSENGER OR OBJECT IS SEATED IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT DIMS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RECALIBRATED EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ACCORDING TO A FEDERAL LAW. THE DEALER CHARGED $100 FOR EACH RECALIBRATION. THE POWERTRAIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,129. UPDATED 06/09/2008. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10223309

40,000 miles · Feb 29, 2008
Suspension

OUR TRUCK IS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. MY HUSBAND WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, GETTING READY TO GET ONTO I-95 AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. THESE SAME VEHICLES WERE RECALLED FOR 2000-2003 BUT NOT 2004. IF THE WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF ONCE ON I-95 AT 75 MPH MY HUSBAND OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD …

Read full complaint

OUR TRUCK IS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. MY HUSBAND WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, GETTING READY TO GET ONTO I-95 AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. THESE SAME VEHICLES WERE RECALLED FOR 2000-2003 BUT NOT 2004. IF THE WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF ONCE ON I-95 AT 75 MPH MY HUSBAND OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE. THIS WAS A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. $1300 LATER BOTH SIDES ARE REPLACED. CHRYSLER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AND IF THERE IS A FUTURE RECALL THEN WE MAY BE REIMBURSED. WE WILL NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219674

68,000 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Power Train

CLUTCH FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNLESS PUSH STARTED, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AND SHIFT NORMALLY. VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY UPUNTILL THE FAILURE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER. THE PEDAL ROD WAS BENT, AFTER TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER AND SLAVE "FELL APART IN THEIR HANDS" THIS IS A PART TH…

Read full complaint

CLUTCH FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNLESS PUSH STARTED, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AND SHIFT NORMALLY. VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY UPUNTILL THE FAILURE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER. THE PEDAL ROD WAS BENT, AFTER TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER AND SLAVE "FELL APART IN THEIR HANDS" THIS IS A PART THAT DOES NOT FAIL, SHOULD NOT FAIL. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 3.5 YRS OLD. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. TO QUOTE THE SERVICE MANAGER "THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A RUN ON THE PARTS" I BELIEVE THIS WARRENTS LOOKING INTO TO SEE IF THIS IS A FAULTY PART. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10216356

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2007
Electrical System

TEMP GAUGE WILL PEG FOLLOWED BY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. P# IS 0118--EXCESS VOLTAGE FROM SENSOR. 4 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. CALLS CHRYSLER AND THEY WERE NO HELP AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210184

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2007
Seats

I OWN A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH HEIGHT FOR MY OLDEST SON'S CAR SEAT TO FIT CORRECTLY AND ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT TIGHTEN UP ENOUGH TO MAKE THE SEAT SIT TIGHTLY. MY YOUNGEST SON'S CAR SEAT IS WEDGED BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE FOR IT TO SIT AND THE SEAT B…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH HEIGHT FOR MY OLDEST SON'S CAR SEAT TO FIT CORRECTLY AND ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT TIGHTEN UP ENOUGH TO MAKE THE SEAT SIT TIGHTLY. MY YOUNGEST SON'S CAR SEAT IS WEDGED BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE FOR IT TO SIT AND THE SEAT BELTS WON'T TIGHTEN UP ON IT EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208672

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.