Is the Dodge Dakota Reliable?
1992–2011 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Dodge Dakota? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Dodge Dakota Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 5 | 34 | 1 | — | 72 | Good |
| 2010 | 5 | 31 | 2 | — | 72 | Good |
| 2009 | 3 | 12 | 1 | — | 84 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 1 | 60 | 8 | — | 84 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 2 | 89 | 6 | — | 83 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 3 | 199 | 9 | — | 75 | Good |
| 2005 | 4 | 261 | 20 | — | 65 | Good |
| 2004 | 3 | 139 | 4 | 2 | 67 | Good |
| 2003 | 4 | 208 | 12 | — | 71 | Good |
| 2002 | 5 | 456 | 10 | 1 | 59 | Fair |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Dakota Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Dakota scores 8 points above the average truck — a strong result.
Known Dodge Dakota Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 1489 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dodge Dakota reliable?+
The Dodge Dakota scores 73/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 35 recall campaigns and 1489 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Dakota is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2009 Dakota achieved the highest reliability score of 84/100 with 3 recalls and 12 complaints.
How many miles does a Dakota last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Dodge Dakota owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Dakota will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Dodge Dakota Research
Check a Specific Dodge Dakota VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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