Dodge Dakota: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
3,750 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Dakota, model years 2000 to 2011. 2 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2001 (transmission 9.3×); 2005 (transmission 8.1×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2010, 2011, 2008. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Dakota | 806 | — | 12 | |
| 2001 Dakota | 678 | transmission 9.3× | 14 | |
| 2002 Dakota | 678 | — | 12 | |
| 2003 Dakota | 295 | — | 11 | |
| 2004 Dakota | 206 | — | 5 | |
| 2005 Dakota | 470 | transmission 8.1× | 7 | |
| 2006 Dakota | 285 | — | 6 | |
| 2007 DakotaFEW REPORTS | 145 | quiet: 4 of 11 | 4 | |
| 2008 DakotaFEW REPORTS | 91 | quiet: 3 of 11 | 2 | |
| 2009 DakotaFEW REPORTS | 18 | — | 5 | |
| 2010 DakotaFEW REPORTS | 35 | quiet: 1 of 11 | 7 | |
| 2011 DakotaFEW REPORTS | 43 | quiet: 2 of 11 | 6 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Dodge models
Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2000200120022003200420052006