Summary
The Dodge Dakota has 60 recalls spanning the 1987–2012 production run, with the most serious recent issue being a rear axle pinion nut that can loosen and separate on 2009–2012 models, locking up the rear axle or causing the driveshaft to detach and leaving the driver with little warning before losing control.
The 2009–2012 pinion nut defect covers the final years of production and represents the most consequential issue for owners of later examples. For 2005 models equipped with optional heated seats, the cushions and seat backs can develop hot spots that burn through the material and pose a fire and injury risk to occupants. Also on 2005 trucks with optional side curtain airbags, improperly tightened fasteners can cause the curtain to deploy incorrectly in a side crash, reducing protection. The 2006 model year has an electrostatic discharge problem that can knock out turn signals, headlights, or wipers without warning, affecting visibility and the ability to signal other drivers. On 2003 models, the wiper motor can corrode internally from water intrusion and lose partial or full wiping capability; separately, a timer module circuit issue can cause the right low-beam headlight to go dark.
Moving into the late 1990s and early 2000s, 2001 models have several issues: the electric transfer case can slip into neutral unexpectedly on 4WD trucks, allowing the vehicle to roll away; the shift interlock can fail on automatic transmission trucks, letting the shifter leave Park without the key or the key be removed without the transmission in Park; manual-transmission models have a wiring harness that can chafe against the clutch pedal and disrupt wipers, horn, turn signals, and lights; and Quad Cab versions have front seat belt anchor bolts that may not hold properly in a crash. The 2000 model year covers a 4WD upper ball joint that can wear, corrode, and separate, causing sudden loss of steering control, and a 4.7L automatic transmission that can expel fluid onto the exhaust and catch fire. On 1999 models, the rear axle vent hose can wear through the rear brake hose on 2.5L trucks, and the left front brake tube can be punctured by the power steering hose, each causing partial brake failure; the front seat belt retractor may also fail to restrain an occupant in a crash. The 1998 model year has front brake hoses or anti-lock brake sensor wires that can abrade against the wheelhouse splash shield, causing fluid loss or loss of anti-lock function, and cab-to-frame bolts that may not be hard enough to hold the cab securely to the frame. The 1997 model has a fuel line on long-wheelbase trucks that can wear against the cab underbody and leak, creating a fire risk, and a rear brake hose that can be punctured by the axle vent hose.
Going back further, 1996 models have a brake booster vacuum hose that can detach without warning, raising idle speed and removing power-assisted braking. The 1994 model year has upper control arm bolts on 4WD trucks that can break and separate the arm, and fuel tank support straps with loose studs that can drop the tank and leak fuel. The 1993 model has anti-lock brake check valves that are undersized and can fail under hard braking on slippery surfaces, locking the front wheels and extending stopping distance. On 1991 models, the steering
