2008 Dodge Dakota: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 91 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (31% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving in our lane on a city street going 40 mph as a vehicle tried to turn into a gas station, crossing our lane right front of us and they did not have enough time to make the turn. To avoid a full blown head on collision, I swerved and we hit front driver side vs front driver side. Going 40 mph, and the speed of the other vehicle and my air bags did not deploy, that being my main concern why they did not deploy with the speed being considered and hitting front on.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2020
“Extended cab doors will not open which makes it impossible to access tire changing tools. Looking on the internet, I've discovered this happens to many dodge dakota extended cab trucks. Vehicle was stationary.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2020
“My engine turns off while driving. I cannot restart the engine until I have stopped, shifted to park, and cycled the ignition to off. The engine stalling started as a low/slow idle condition, and now has escalated to cutting off at full acceleration while merging into expressway traffic. This has happened on several dates. I am selecting the date of my last remembered occasion.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“4.7l engine blew hole the size of a golf ball in block while passing a slower moving car on a country paved highway maxed at about 60mph. Engine has 72250 miles, running 5w30 synthetic oil. Regular home maintenance - oil changes every 3000 miles, other maintenance as in user manual at home. Had no check engine light, no warning. Truck well maintained (like new inside and out. I'm retired and truck is for pleasure use.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“Ref mfr recall 870- NHTSA recall 00v-193. Brake line leaking from rubbing against power steering hose. Contacted local dealer (m&l chrysler dodge jeep ram, lexington nc) was told they had the brake line but not part #cbed6701 and could not repair under recall but could sell me a brake line, referred me to customer service @ 800-992-1997. They took information and said they had to check with dealer. I have heard nothing after 10 days from dealer or customer service. Meanwhile I have to add brake fluid to keep from losing my brakes when they have the brake line to fix the problem but say I will have to pay for it.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge dakota. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shifted from two wheel drive to four wheel drive independently. The vehicle was taken to bill bryan chrysler (3401 us-441, fruitland park, fl 34731) where it was diagnosed that the transfer case motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2017
“The steering completely locked up and would not turn. Intermittently over the past 3 months the power steering would suddenly stop working and the car was extremely hard to steer and control. After twice replacing the rack and pinion and steering pump the situation seemed to improve. Then suddenly, traveling 70 mph on the freeway, the steering jerked right and when I turned it back to the left it completely locked up and I could not turn the wheels at all, they were locked straight causing us to immediately cross all lanes of the freeway as the road turned forcing us to the center divider.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2017
“My four wheel drive is engaging on it's own. The shift motor engages while the vehicle is parked and turned off. The four wheel drive will engage on it's own while I am driving. I had the vehicle tested at a certified garage and the mechanic said that the transfer case shift motor needs to be replaced. After researching dodge/chrysler issues, I have found that quite a few others have had this same issue. They also changed the transfer case shift motor and the problem was not resolved. I would like to find out if chrysler is going to fix their electrical problems with the dodge four wheel drives. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 dodge dakota. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 05/30/17*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 9/15/2017*js”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“2008 dodge dakota. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available in a reasonable time frame to repair recall notice 16v-352. *smd”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
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 replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
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 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
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 the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Dakota by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Dakota reliable?
NHTSA has 91 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Dodge Dakota. The most complained-about area is air bags (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Dakota problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 57,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Dodge Dakota have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.