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2004 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Complaints & Specs

1 safety recall lists the 2004 Dodge Dakota, and owners have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

1
safety recall
206
owner complaints to NHTSA
11 / 6
complaints citing a crash / fire
14–17
MPG combined (EPA)

1 safety recall for the 2004 Dodge Dakota

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

    NHTSA 04V216000 Reported 320,188 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper module. Owner notification began on july 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2004 Dodge Dakota have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA; 11 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 8 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 56,238 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 35 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“While driving my 2004 dodge Dakota all the gauges, including the speedometer and the tachometer stopped working. Everything went off although the truck was still running. I had headlights turn signals”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 2, 2022 · Electrical system

“Unknown the four wheel drive was out when I purchased it I didn't realize until later that day when I drove it and tried to engage it. It no longer works and it is a safety hazard to even try and turn”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 15, 2021 · Power train

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2004 Dodge Dakota Pickup (Dakota Pickup 2WD, Dakota Pickup 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined14–17 mpg
City / Highway13–15 / 17–20
FuelRegular
EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engine6/8 cyl, 3.7/4.7 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Automatic 5-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Dodge Dakota model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge Dakota model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1985 Dodge Dakota02
1986 Dodge Dakota01
1987 Dodge Dakota220
1988 Dodge Dakota355
1989 Dodge Dakota363
1990 Dodge Dakota363
1991 Dodge Dakota4128
1992 Dodge Dakota1216
1993 Dodge Dakota1134
1994 Dodge Dakota3166
1995 Dodge Dakota0208
1996 Dodge Dakota1189
1997 Dodge Dakota5446
1998 Dodge Dakota5545
1999 Dodge Dakota4641
2000 Dodge Dakota5806
2001 Dodge Dakota7678
2002 Dodge Dakota5678
2003 Dodge Dakota4296
2004 Dodge Dakota1206
2005 Dodge Dakota6470
2006 Dodge Dakota5285
2007 Dodge Dakota4145
2008 Dodge Dakota291
2009 Dodge Dakota518
2010 Dodge Dakota735
2011 Dodge Dakota644

Checking a specific 2004 Dodge Dakota

How do I know if my 2004 Dodge Dakota has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2004 Dodge Dakota; your car may already have been repaired under it.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Dodge dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V216000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Dodge models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.