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2004 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2004 Dodge Dakota has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Stiff or intermittent power steering, intermediate shaft.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Dodge Dakota.

Reported to NHTSA

Stiff or intermittent power steering, intermediate shaft

STEERING

49 NHTSA complaints · 2007-08 → 2018-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10416746
“MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA BEGAN HAVING STEERING ISSUES LAST FALL WHICH BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER THE FOLLOWING WEEKS. THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I MADE A TURN IT WAS STIFF, THEN LOOSE, THEN STIFF AGAIN AS YOU CRANKED THE STEERING WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10389977
“I AM REPORTING THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. MY METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB EXHIBITED INTERMITTENT BINDING OF THE STEERING MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10224785

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window regulator and cable failure

VISIBILITY

5 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2018-06

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE GLASS BECAME STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE REGULATOR FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10641720
“I HAVE A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB AND I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10336559
“I OWN 2 DODGE/CHRYSLER PRODUCTS, IN THE 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD THESE CARS I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THE ELECTRIC WINDOW CABLES 9 TIMES AT A COST OF $250.00 EACH TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10331091

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cruise control acceleration going downhill

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 NHTSA complaints · 2005-04 → 2006-04

“THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB ACCELERATES GOING DOWN HILL. I'VE HAD IT TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SIMILARLY EQUIPPED DURANGOS. THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NO FIX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10155509
“THIS IS MY 2ND SUBMISSION (ODI #10116332); NO RESULT FIRST TIME. THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB TRUCK ACCELERATES GOING DOWNHILL. I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES NOW, THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG, AND SAY IT "PERFORMS AS DESIGNED"”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10131065
“THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB TRUCK ACCELERATES GOING DOWNHILL. I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW, THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG, AND THE LAST TIME THEY SAID IT "PERFORMED AS DESIGNED". IT'S SUPPOSED TO ACCELERATE GOING DOWNHILL?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10116332

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension ball joint wear and separation

SUSPENSION

21 NHTSA complaints · 2004-08 → 2015-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN THEN UNEXPECTEDLY THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED DUE TO A FRACTURED BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT POST IN A PARKING LOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10468980
“OUR TRUCK IS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. MY HUSBAND WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, GETTING READY TO GET ONTO I-95 AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. THESE SAME VEHICLES WERE RECALLED FOR 2000-2003 BUT NOT 2004”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10219674
“WE JUST BOUGHT A NEW 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WE HAVE JUST OVER 2000 MILES ON IT, MOSTLY EXPRESSWAY MILES GOING TO WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10083168

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Blower motor resistor and wiring overheating

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2010-06 → 2017-03

“THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR KEEPS BURNING UP. I HAVE REPLACED THE RESISTOR VARIOUS TIMES AND IT KEEPS BURNING UP. I REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE RESISTOR KEEPS BURNING UP. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND IT HAS NONE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10969091
“SMELL OF BURNT WIRE/PLASTIC. BLOWER CONTROL SWITCH WOULD NOT WORK (BLOWER MOTOR WOULD NOT RUN). BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND PIGTAIL CONNECTION WERE MELTED AND FUSED TOGETHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10762291
“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AN BEEN REPLACED...NOW IM GOING WITHOUT A HEATER BECAUSE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR STARTED SPARKING AN THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER AN MELTED PLASTIC FILLED THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE SO I QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO AVOID A ACCIDENT AN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10444695

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front brake rotor warping and braking vibration

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

12 NHTSA complaints · 2004-09 → 2007-10

“TOOK DELIVERY OF TRUCK ON 6/24/04 WITH 341 MILES AT DELIVERY. NOT EVEN SIX MONTHS LATER, 12/16/04 IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, MILEAGE 12,031”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10140596
“I HAVE A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA 4 DOOR CAB 2 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. THE BRAKES FAILED AT LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. THEY WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AND FAILED AGAIN LESS THAN 8,000 MILES LATER. I HAD TO PAY FOR THAT FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10143849
“I HAVE A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 19,000 MILES. BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED BEYOND REPAIR. BRAKE PADS STILL LOOK BRAND NEW THOUGH. DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITH SEVERAL OWNERS COMPLAINING OF ROTORS, YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10134415

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in collisions

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2004-08 → 2014-09

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF HIM AND CRASHED INTO HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10315611
“ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY SIX PM ON MY WAY TO WORK I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. DUE TO THE SNOW ON THE ROAD I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE, THUS LEADING TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FRONT AIRBAGS IN MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10307136
“WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 4/22/06. I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND A DELIVERY TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE TRUCK ON HIS DRIVER SIDE AND SMASHED MY HOLE FRONT END IN. TRUCK WAS ALMOST TOTALED. MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10157130

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

160 crashes 1990–2024

How the 160 occupant deaths break down

130

driver deaths

30

passenger deaths

160

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2003 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2004 Dodge Dakota reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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