NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 296 owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Dakota. Most complaints involve suspension (100) and service brakes, hydraulic (44). The EPA rates it 13–17 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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.
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.
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Dakota model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 199 |
| 1997 | 452 |
| 1998 | 557 |
| 1999 | 688 |
| 2000 | 830 |
| 2001 | 678 |
| 2002 | 689 |
| 2003 | 296 |
| 2004 | 206 |
| 2005 | 470 |
| 2006 | 285 |
| 2007 | 145 |
| 2008 | 91 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 35 |
| 2011 | 44 |
“The front end got a hard vibrate i replace the shocks two times and its not fix the problem seem like something going too brake off like a wheel or something dont feel safe driving it”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO DEFECTIVE CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.”
“1. WHILE SITTING IN PARK ON A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IN A STILL POSITION ROLLED FRONT OR BACK MORE THAN A COUPLE INCHES. HAD TO STEP ON BRAKE WHILE IN PARK AND HAD TO BLOCK WHEELS WHEN ENGINE WAS OFF TO KEEP FROM ROLLING. EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD OR WORK PROPERLY EITHER. 2. THE HEATER HAS ONLY HIGH POSITION WORKING NOW. THE DASH GETS TO HOT TO EVEN KEEP HEAT ON VERY LONG. FUEL CAP WITH KEY. WHEN GETTING FUEL TRUCK HAS TO BE TURNED OFF BEFORE PUMPING OTHERWISE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH AND NEEDS TO BE RESET OR DRIVEN MILES BEFORE ENGINE LIGHTOR GOES BACK OFF.3. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO REPLACE TWICE NOW. BREAKS HAD TO REPLACE TWICE ALSO DUE TO SUSPENSION BEING OUT OF WHACK AND PROBLEM ABOVE. NOW THERE IS NOISE IN FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AREA. 4. PUT ALL NEW BREAK LINES ON IT BECAUSE THEY KEPT BLOWING OUT. LEAKING IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS BY TOO MUCH PRESSURE BUILD UP IN SECTIONS OF LINES. 5. I BOUGHT IT IN 2018 USED FROM A DEALER. BUT I HAVE PUT SO MUCH WORK ON IT THAT NOW THERE'S A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. 6. HAVING NO OR LITTLE BREAKS ALL OF SUDDEN IN A CROWDED INTERSECTION OR HAVING TO BLOCK WHEELS SO IT DOESN'T ROLL INTO ANOTHER CAR BUT NO ACCIDENT…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 17 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 16 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | $4,950 | 684 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
11 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 296 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (100), service brakes, hydraulic (44), power train (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2003 Dodge Dakota at 13–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).