2004 Dodge Dakota problems & reliability
206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Dakota, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
6 complaints report injuries (8 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2004 Dodge Dakota vehicles were involved in 36 fatal crashes with 20 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering → | 74 | 36% |
| Suspension → | 45 | 22% |
| Electrical System → | 21 | 10% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 21 | 10% |
| Power Train → | 19 | 9% |
| Air Bags → | 15 | 7% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 12 | 6% |
| Visibility → | 12 | 6% |
| Structure | 7 | 3% |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 53,377 miles (middle 50% between 18,100 and 83,175 miles), based on 158 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“While driving my 2004 dodge Dakota all the gauges, including the speedometer and the tachometer stopped working. Everything went off although the truck was still running. I had headlights turn signals an emergency flashers nothing else. I don’t know how fast I was going how much fuel I had or if my engine was running…”
Electrical System · filed Sep 2, 2022
“Unknown the four wheel drive was out when I purchased it I didn't realize until later that day when I drove it and tried to engage it. It no longer works and it is a safety hazard to even try and turn on it doesn't engage and makes a noise and catches in some sort of way I believe it may have affected the transmission…”
Power Train · filed Nov 15, 2021
“My vehicles drive shaft fell off while making a stop at a red light, the pinon nut had come loose. It was towed to a mechanic's shop, my dad came and reattached it. It still made a whirring sound, at first I was on the way to the mechanic for what I though was a pinon seal leak.”
Power Train · filed Nov 4, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
53 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Dakota. The 10 most recent:
Plate - Planetary
101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 30, 2024
Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)
S2208000136 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 9, 2022
Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)
S2208000136 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 9, 2022
Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
9001784 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 22, 2021
Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
9001784 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 22, 2021
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 30, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2004 Dodge Dakota has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2004 Dodge Dakota?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 53,377 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.