2003 Dodge Dakota: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 419 complaints
419
Total Complaints
33,750mi
Median Mileage
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
Top Issue
22
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

6,055 25th Percentile
33,750 Median Mileage
67,750 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
54
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
24
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
22
SUSPENSION
21
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
16
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
15
SUSPENSION:FRONT
15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
14
POWER TRAIN
14

Severity Assessment

22
Crashes
5
Fires
17
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"LOCATION OF GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS POSITIONED, WHERE IF REACHING OVER TO AJUST RADIO OR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AND PUTTING HANDS BACK ON STEERING WHEEL, CAN KNOCK SHIFT LEVER OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL/ PARK WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK"
"CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WIT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE WHEEL WILL SPIN BY IT SELF. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IF THE CONSUMER DOES NOT GIVE A GOOD REFERENCE ON THE DEALER SURVEY THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. TS"
"PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD 4X4. DAY OF DELIVERY THE SALESMAN NOTICED THE REAR MAKES A LOUD SQUEEKING NOISE WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE AND BACKING. TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND THEY ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES. WE HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE MOST RECENT THEY REPLACED P..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28