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 | 2 | 34 | 1 | — | 60 | Fair |
| 2010 | 2 | 31 | 2 | — | 59 | Fair |
| 2009 | 1 | 12 | 1 | — | 83 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 0 | 60 | 8 | — | 66 | Good |
| 2007 | 1 | 89 | 6 | — | 62 | Fair |
| 2006 | 3 | 199 | 9 | — | 51 | Fair |
| 2005 | 3 | 261 | 20 | — | 45 | Fair |
| 2004 | 3 | 139 | 4 | 2 | 37 | Poor |
| 2003 | 5 | 208 | 12 | — | 39 | Poor |
| 2002 | 5 | 456 | 10 | 1 | 32 | Poor |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Dakota Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Dakota scores 12 points below the average truck. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.
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 53/100 on our reliability index — rated "Fair." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 25 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 83/100 with 1 recall 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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