Is the 2004 Dodge Dakota a bad year?
206 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Dakota years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Dodge Dakota are in line with other Dakota years. Steering and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Dakota owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 59,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 74 (36%) | 45k–89k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 45 (22%) | 4k–71k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical system | 21 (10%) | 40k–126k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (9%) | 10k–115k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 15 (7%) | 48k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (7%) | 34k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 8 (4%) | 2k–71k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (3%) | 50k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 5 (2%) | 29k–76k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 23 (11%) | 5k–38k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 59,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 206 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 6 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Sep 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2004 Dodge Dakota: 5
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Improper seating of the wheel can result in excessive vibration, brake rotor noise, difficulty removing the wheel after installation and operation of the vehicle, and possibly wheel-end separation during vehicle operation.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper module motor may be susceptible to water intrusion that could cause internal corrosion and result in partial or complete loss of front windshield wiping capability. Driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 20
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Dodge Dakota. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
Radiator If vehicle comes in for transmission fluid leaking from trans-oil cooler fittings on the radiator…
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
MIL Illumination - DTC P1776 Solenoid Switch Valve Latched in LR Position
Neighbouring years
2003 Dakota: 295 complaints, keep it · 2005 Dakota: 470 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Dodge Dakota year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All Dakota years side by side
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.
Questions
Is the 2004 Dodge Dakota a bad year?
206 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Dakota years. At 59,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge Dakota?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (74), suspension (45), electrical system (21), transmission and drivetrain (19), air bags (15).
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Dakota have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Suspension (NHTSA 08E064000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E026000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.