2005 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 2005 Dodge Dakota, and owners have filed 470 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

safety recalls

470

owner complaints to NHTSA

30 / 27

complaints citing a crash / fire

15–17

MPG combined (EPA)

6 safety recalls for the 2005 Dodge Dakota

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

Seat heater/cooler (seats)

NHTSA 17V820000 Reported December 20, 2017 16,900 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks equipped with heated seats. These driver and passenger seats may develop hot spots that can result in the seat cushion or seat back having burn holes.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the seat heating system control features, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.…
Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive

NHTSA 16V352000 Reported May 24, 2016 4,648,270 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

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,…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will…
Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive

NHTSA 15V313000 Reported May 26, 2015 4,077,169 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

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…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace…
Air bags

NHTSA 14V770000 Reported December 3, 2014 250,896 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically,…

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin…
Automatic transmission (power train)

NHTSA 05V460000 Reported October 6, 2005 256,409 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at…
Air bags: side/window

NHTSA 05V002000 Reported January 5, 2005 1,142 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

On certain pickup trucks equipped with the optional side curtain air bag, the curtain fasteners may not have been properly tightened.

Remedy: Dealers will tighten the side air bag curtain fasteners to the proper specification. The recall began on january 17, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

470 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2005 Dodge Dakota have filed 470 complaints with NHTSA; 30 describe a crash and 27 describe a fire. Reports cite 20 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 63,316 miles. Complaints peaked in 2015 with 80 filed that year.

Most-reported components

Air bags138
Power train58
Service brakes, hydraulic33
Steering33
Electrical system30
Seats30
Suspension27
Suspension: front18

What owners are reporting

“The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle had been shipped to them. While the vehicle was parked, the contact inspected the vehicle and observed that the frame was seve”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 20, 2026 · Structure

“Seat belt light turn on and off since I own the truck.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 11, 2026 · Air bags

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup (Dakota Pickup 2WD, Dakota Pickup 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined	15–17 mpg
City / Highway	13–15 / 18–20
Fuel	Regular
EPA class	Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engine	6/8 cyl, 3.7/4.7 L
Transmission	Automatic 4-spd; Automatic 5-spd; Manual 6-spd

Compare Dodge Dakota model years

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

Model year	Recalls	Complaints
1985 Dodge Dakota	0	2
1986 Dodge Dakota	0	1
1987 Dodge Dakota	2	20
1988 Dodge Dakota	3	55
1989 Dodge Dakota	3	63
1990 Dodge Dakota	3	63
1991 Dodge Dakota	4	128
1992 Dodge Dakota	1	216
1993 Dodge Dakota	1	134
1994 Dodge Dakota	3	166
1995 Dodge Dakota	0	208
1996 Dodge Dakota	1	189
1997 Dodge Dakota	5	446
1998 Dodge Dakota	5	545
1999 Dodge Dakota	4	641
2000 Dodge Dakota	5	806
2001 Dodge Dakota	7	678
2002 Dodge Dakota	5	678
2003 Dodge Dakota	4	296
2004 Dodge Dakota	1	206
2005 Dodge Dakota	6	470
2006 Dodge Dakota	5	285
2007 Dodge Dakota	4	145
2008 Dodge Dakota	2	91
2009 Dodge Dakota	5	18
2010 Dodge Dakota	7	35
2011 Dodge Dakota	6	44

Checking a specific 2005 Dodge Dakota

How do I know if my 2005 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. 6 campaigns currently list the 2005 Dodge Dakota; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

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 05V002000).

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

Durango13,770 complaints
Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
RAM 150012,416 complaints
Caravan10,526 complaints
RAM 25006,443 complaints
Intrepid6,228 complaints
Charger5,741 complaints
Journey5,290 complaints

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.