Model year report

2005 Dodge Dakota: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2005 Dodge Dakota

On the 2005 Dodge Dakota, the failure owners report most often is airbag inflator rupture, and the reports cluster around 100,000 miles. The earliest to appear is premature brake pad or rotor wear, reported by a median of 5,000 miles. Overall it scores 72 out of 100, high risk for a 2005.

High risk for a 2005 — 66th riskiest of the 320 2005 vehicles we can rate. 598 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

What owners report breaking

Owners have reported 51 named failure modes on the 2005 Dodge Dakota, and the three most-reported carry 25% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.

Airbag inflator rupture leads with 53 reports, about 0.8 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 86k to 140,000 miles.

Other powertrain problem follows with 50 reports, usually reported between 36k to 120,000 miles.

Other brake problem follows with 49 reports, usually reported between 4k to 25,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.

By system, the reports fall mostly into brakes (99), airbag (77) and steering (59).

The mileage the reports cluster at

434 of the reports on the 2005 Dodge Dakota came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 58,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 45% by 50,000 miles, 78% by 100,000 miles and 94% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 3 filed above the top of the chart.

The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 17% of the dated reports.

35% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.

In the order they tend to show up: premature brake pad or rotor wear around 4k, other brake problem around 9k, control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure around 13k and ABS module or sensor failure around 14k.

Median

Airbag inflator rupture

102k
Other powertrain problem

82k
Other brake problem

9k
Other body or interior problem

82k
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure

55k
Other suspension problem

41k
Differential or transfer case failure

118k
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure

50k
Other electrical problem

81k
Other steering problem

55k
Loss of braking

30k
Seat belt or retractor failure

63k

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 51. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 57.5k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 3 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

Severity, and what it costs

Across the named modes, 29 mention a crash, 33 a fire and 16 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.66, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: airbag inflator rupture at $0–$0, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, other brake problem at $300–$1,800 and other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

20% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Airbag inflator rupture	airbag	53	12	86k	102k	141k	0.8	$0–$0	Critical
Other powertrain problem	transmission	50	41	36k	82k	121k	0.8	$400–$4,500	High
Other brake problem	brakes	49	46	4k	9k	24k	0.8	$300–$1,800	High
Other body or interior problem	body	45	35	61k	82k	124k	0.7	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure	steering	35	30	27k	55k	65k	0.5	$700–$2,600	High
Other suspension problem	suspension	23	20	28k	41k	46k	0.4	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Differential or transfer case failure	drivetrain	21	18	82k	118k	133k	0.3	$900–$4,200	High
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure	suspension	20	14	34k	50k	60k	0.3	$400–$2,200	High
Other electrical problem	electrical	19	17	45k	81k	119k	0.3	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Other steering problem	steering	18	15	36k	55k	69k	0.3	$350–$2,400	High
Loss of braking	brakes	15	14	24k	30k	56k	0.2	$400–$3,000	Critical
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	14	14	45k	63k	72k	0.2	$200–$900	High
ABS module or sensor failure	brakes	13	12	4k	14k	63k	0.2	$500–$2,400	High
Overheating	cooling	12	12	68k	108k	130k	0.2	$400–$3,500	High
Premature brake pad or rotor wear	brakes	12	11	1k	4k	16k	0.2	$300–$1,400	Moderate
Other engine problem	engine	10	8	7k	22k	36k	0.2	$300–$4,000	High
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	9	8	860	13k	97k	0.1	$700–$3,000	High
Cruise control failure	adas	6	6	—	52k	—	0.1	$200–$1,400	High
Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin	emissions	6	6	—	61k	—	0.1	$250–$2,000	High
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash	airbag	5	5	—	100k	—	0.1	$1,000–$5,000	Critical
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	5	4	—	76k	—	0.1	$300–$1,600	High
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	5	5	—	62k	—	0.1	$200–$1,500	High
Radiator or coolant leak	cooling	4	4	—	102k	—	0.1	$350–$1,900	High
CV axle or driveshaft failure	drivetrain	4	4	—	39k	—	0.1	$450–$2,200	High
Wheel bearing or hub failure	drivetrain	4	4	—	13k	—	0.1	$350–$1,200	Moderate
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure	electrical	4	3	—	35k	—	0.1	$250–$1,500	High
Master cylinder or brake booster failure	brakes	4	4	—	98k	—	0.1	$450–$2,200	Critical
Power steering pump or fluid leak	steering	4	2	—	134k	—	0.1	$350–$1,600	Moderate
Misfire or rough idle	engine	3	3	—	18k	—	0.0	$250–$1,600	Moderate
Complete transmission failure	transmission	3	3	—	75k	—	0.0	$2,800–$8,000	Critical
Brake line, hose or caliper failure	brakes	3	3	—	106k	—	0.0	$250–$1,600	Critical
Parking brake failure	brakes	3	3	—	6k	—	0.0	$250–$1,300	Moderate
Tire blowout or tread separation	wheels	3	2	—	36k	—	0.0	$200–$1,500	Critical
Tail light, brake light or signal failure	lighting	3	3	—	100k	—	0.0	$100–$900	Moderate
Other fuel system problem	fuel	3	2	—	42k	—	0.0	$300–$2,200	High
Other visibility problem	glass	3	2	—	84k	—	0.0	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Engine knock or bearing noise	engine	2	2	—	3k	—	0.0	$2,500–$9,000	High
Lifter, cam or cylinder-deactivation failure	engine	2	2	—	147k	—	0.0	$1,800–$7,000	High
Fuel pump failure	fuel	2	2	—	66k	—	0.0	$600–$2,600	High
Instrument cluster or gauge failure	infotainment	2	1	—	41k	—	0.0	$350–$1,400	Moderate
Steering column or shaft failure	steering	2	2	—	81k	—	0.0	$600–$2,500	Critical
Headlight failure or clouding	lighting	2	2	—	34k	—	0.0	$150–$1,800	Moderate
Other speed control problem	adas	2	1	—	54k	—	0.0	$250–$2,000	Critical
No-start or intermittent start failure	engine	1	1	—	200k	—	0.0	$200–$1,800	Moderate
Torque converter failure	transmission	1	1	—	18k	—	0.0	$1,100–$3,200	High
Fuel gauge or level sensor failure	fuel	1	1	—	75k	—	0.0	$300–$1,200	Moderate
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	1	1	—	83k	—	0.0	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Wiring harness or short circuit	electrical	1	1	—	130k	—	0.0	$400–$3,500	High
Paint peeling or clear coat failure	body	1	1	—	68k	—	0.0	$600–$6,000	Low
Windshield cracking	glass	1	1	—	70k	—	0.0	$300–$1,600	Moderate
Other driver assistance problem	adas	1	1	—	100k	—	0.0	$250–$1,800	High
Unclassified problem	other	83	19	40k	80k	112k	1.3	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2005 Dodge Dakota draws about 9.3 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 86th percentile of complaint rates among 2005 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 64,559 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2005 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Airbag inflator rupture

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags). While driving 42 MPH, the air big warning light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but details of the failure were not provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,390.

94,390 miles NHTSA complaint 1270986 filed 2016-03-28

Takata recall. On 2/4/2016 I took my truck to courtesy chrysler/dodge/ram located at 9207 adamo drive east in tampa,fl. The airbag inflator was replaced. As soon as I drove off of the dealer's lot I noticed that the seatbelt warning light and alarm would not turn off. I immediately returned to the dealership. The parts and service manager said the dealership was not responsible, although I explained that the problem did not exist before my visit to the dealership. The dealership said that they would have to order a new seat belt buckle at a cost of $125.00 + labor. I refused to order and pay for a part to fix a repair that did not exist prior to my visit. I was making an 11 hour drive the next day to start a new job and I needed to have the problem resolved. The parts and service manager was very unprofessional. I left the dealership. The seatbelt warning light and alarm still continue to go off and on although I always wear my seatbelt. Note that I called the fiat chrysler automobiles (fca) recall assistance center on 2/4/2016 after I returned from the dealer. I described the seatbelt problem but fca was just as uncaring as the…

102,086 miles NHTSA complaint 1289037 filed 2016-06-12

Recalls on the 2005 model year

NHTSA has issued 7 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Dodge Dakota, affecting an estimated 182,330 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler, air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module, air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module and air bags. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.

17V820000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

16,900 vehicles 2017-12-20

Defect: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks equipped with heated seats. These driver and passenger seats may develop hot spots that can result in the seat cushion or seat back having burn holes.
Consequence: The hot spots and burn holes can injure the seat occupant and can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the seat heating system control features, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T80.

16V352000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

4,648,270 vehicles 2016-05-24

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider…
Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

15V313000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

4,077,169 vehicles 2015-05-26

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall…

14V770000

AIR BAGS

250,896 vehicles 2014-12-03

Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal…
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded…

09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

16,270 vehicles 2009-04-07

Defect: Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

05V460000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

256,409 vehicles 2005-10-06

Defect: On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Consequence: If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

05V002000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

1,142 vehicles 2005-01-05

Defect: On certain pickup trucks equipped with the optional side curtain air bag, the curtain fasteners may not have been properly tightened.
Consequence: This could result in an improper side air bag curtain deployment in certain side crash conditions, which can increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the side air bag curtain fasteners to the proper specification. The recall began on january 17, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2005 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2005 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Where 2005 sits in the model line

High risk for a 2005 — 66th riskiest of the 320 2005 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.

Across the 16 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2008 comes out best at 63 and 2002 worst at 74, with 2005 itself at 72.

If the model year is negotiable, 2008, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1997, 1999 and 1998 score lower than 2005 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 2005–2008 generation specifically, 2008 is the strongest year at 63 and 2005 the weakest at 72.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 2005-2008 generation, 2008 Dodge Dakota scores best at 63 and 2005 Dodge Dakota worst at 72.

What to look at before buying one

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure from about 860, premature brake pad or rotor wear from about 1k, other brake problem from about 4k and ABS module or sensor failure from about 4k.

On a 2005 Dodge Dakota with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.

Where these figures stop being useful

598 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 598 reports, 434 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 73% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Dakota?

The most-reported failures are airbag inflator rupture (53 reports, median 100,000 miles), other powertrain problem (50 reports, median 82,500 miles) and other brake problem (49 reports, median 10,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Dakota problems start?

Premature brake pad or rotor wear is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 5,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 1,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 58,000 miles.

Is the 2005 Dodge Dakota reliable?

It scores 72 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 66th riskiest of the 320 2005 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2005 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Dodge Dakota is best?

Within the 2005–2008 generation, 2008 scores best at 63 out of 100 and 2005 worst at 72. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 30 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed