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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2008 Dodge DakotaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 91 owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Dakota. Most complaints involve air bags (29) and steering (17). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–18mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2016
Owner complaints
91
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Air bagsReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V352000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 27, 2015NHTSA 15V313000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

91 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2008 – Mar 2021
  1. Air bags29
  2. Steering17
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Power train10
  5. Exterior lighting8
  6. Service brakes7
  7. Suspension5
  8. Wheels4
  9. Structure4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Dakota model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996199
1997452
1998557
1999688
2000830
2001678
2002689
2003296
2004206
2005470
2006285
2007145
200891
200918
201035
201144
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

29 reports3 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THREE BROTHERS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP, LOCATED AT 125 MAIN ST, LINCOLN, MAINE 04457 (877-377-9460) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT CHRYSLER WOULD ONLY ALLOW THE PARTS TO BE REQUESTED INDIVIDUALLY AND THAT THE CONTACT WAS WAITLISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/17/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED REPAIR WAS MADE ON AUG 28, 2017. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2017Air bagsODI 11016206

Steering

17 reports
“THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN. INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WORKING AND THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. AFTER TWICE REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION AND STEERING PUMP THE SITUATION SEEMED TO IMPROVE. THEN SUDDENLY, TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING JERKED RIGHT AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK TO THE LEFT IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEELS AT ALL, THEY WERE LOCKED STRAIGHT CAUSING US TO IMMEDIATELY CROSS ALL LANES OF THE FREEWAY AS THE ROAD TURNED FORCING US TO THE CENTER DIVIDER.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2017SteeringODI 10968520

Electrical system

11 reports1 fire
“RISK OF FIRE BY WRONG SIZED FUSED IN POWER OUTLET. I ALMOST BURN THE TRUCK CHARGING A DRONE (57W CHARGER) PARKING AND LEFT ALONE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WHEN I BACK THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. FIRST I THINK IN THE LITHIUM BATTERIES CATCHING FIRE, BUT NO, THE SMOKE COMES FROM BEHIND THE DASH. QUICKLY I REMOVED THE 20A FUSE AND LEFT LIKE THIS. I ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT OUTLET AND TODAY WHEN I WAS TO CHANGE I FOUND THE WIRES COMPLETE MELTED. CHECK THE SERVICE MANUAL AND SHOWS A 18AWG WIRE PROTECTED WHIT 20A FUSE. PROBABLY A INHERITED FROM SOME OLD DODGE RAM WHICH ONE HAVE A 20A FUSE AND 14AWG WIRE. CHECKING SOME NEWS MODELS AND HAVE 18AWG TOO, SO IT COULD BE MORE VEHICLES IN POTENTIAL RISK OF FIRE. THE USER MANUAL, PRINTED, DIGITAL ONLINE, THE FUSE BOX COVER, SERVICE MANUAL, EVERYWHERE SAYS 20A FUSE FOR A THIN 18AWG WIRE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2019Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11209358
All 2008 Dakota problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Dakota Pickup 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162018$3,550494
Dakota Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Dakota Pickup 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151916$4,000555
Dakota Pickup 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141915$4,300592
Dakota Pickup 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, GAS 330 · Rear-Wheel Drive
141915$4,300592
Dakota Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,300592
Dakota Pickup 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141915$4,300592
Dakota Pickup 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, GAS 330 · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141915$4,300592
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Dodge Dakota as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 2650Vehicle 2649
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Dakota questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Dakota have?

2 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.

What are the most common 2008 Dodge Dakota problems?

Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (29), steering (17), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Dodge Dakota get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Dodge Dakota at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026