2007 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Dodge Dakota has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Automatic transmission fails to shift or engage gear.” 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.

Save this car as:

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 2007 Dodge Dakota.

Reported to NHTSA

Automatic transmission fails to shift or engage gear

POWER TRAIN

13 NHTSA complaints · 2008-04 → 2017-07

“TRUCK FEELS AS IF IT IS HAS BEEN SHIFTED DOWN SPUTTERS AND SLOWS DOWN THEM IN A FEW MINUTES IT IS BACK TO NORMAL....THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL #06V341000 DODGE RECALL 37518..BUT DODGE SAYS THAT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY TRUCK I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT CAN BE POSSIBLE PLEASE HELP. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10547809
“WHILE DRIVING TO WORK YESTERDAY MORNING DRIVING AROUND 60MPH, MY WIFE STATED THE TRANSMISSION OF OUR 2007 DODGE DAKOTA SUDDENLY DOWN-SHIFTED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR, SHE COULD NOT TRAVEL PAST 55 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10335575
“I PURCHASED A 2007 USED DODGE DAKOTA STILL UNDER FACTORY BASIC WARRANTY. THE TEST DRIVE WAS FINE AND WE DID NOT HEAR ANY NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10229848

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Turn signal and wiper failure from multifunction switch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13 NHTSA complaints · 2009-07 → 2017-02

“ON TWO OCCASIONS THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN INTERMITTENTLY THE TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO OPERATE SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALSO STOP WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10673069
“MY 2007 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE FAILED DURING A RAIN SHOWER YESTERDAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10289450
“TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS. MOVING TURN SIGNAL LEVER FOR A LEFT TURN, RESULTS IN FLASHING OF RIGHT FRONT AND REAR INDICATOR LAMPS. VERY DANGEROUS AS APPROACHING TRAFFIC MAKES INCORRECT ASSUMPTION ABOUT WHICH DIRECTION THE VEHICLE IS PLANNING TO TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10336333

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering column, shaft, or tie rod failure

STEERING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2010-04 → 2015-06

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. AFTER HAVING MECHANIC LOOK AT VEHICLE THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING. AFTER REPLACING THE HOSE, FOUND THAT THE PUMP WAS LEAKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10725440
“POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON INTERSTATE 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FL.CAUSING TO LOSE CONTROL OF TRUCK AND ALMOST CRASHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10443425
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT TIE ROD FRACTURED AND BENT THE GEAR BOX, AND THE RACK-AND-PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10453348

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension ball joint, tie rod, or shock wear

SUSPENSION

8 NHTSA complaints · 2008-01 → 2019-09

“AXEL SNAPPED IN HALF FRONT LEFT DAMAGED , I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT A VERY LOW SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11258896
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES AND THE RIDE PERFORMANCE WAS VERY POOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10259923
“I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB, 4X4, AUTOMATIC. THE FRONT SHOCKS ARE INADEQUATE FOR THE VEHICLE. ON BUMPS AND DIPS THE FRONT END WILL CONTINUE TO BOUNCE SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE INITIAL COMPRESSION OF THE SHOCKS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10216346

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall repair delayed by parts shortage

AIR BAGS

49 NHTSA complaints · 2015-02 → 2018-12

“SEEM THAT 6 MONTH IS LONG ENOUGH TO COME UP WITH A FIX. STILL NO SOLUTION?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10928161
“NO RETURN CALL FROM DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONE DEALER SAID THEY WILL CALL BACK IF PARTS IN STOCK NO CALL BACK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162439
“I'M SILL WAITING TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED , WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED !! THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10809758

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags fail to deploy during a crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2010-07 → 2016-07

“I RECENTLY HAD A CAR ACCIDENT GOING 40-45 MPH IN MY 2007 DODGE DAKOTA CREW CAB, AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE THAT CAME INTO MY LANE OF TRAVEL. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10342047
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A PARKED VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10731684
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB SLT(NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED MUSCLE SPASMS AND BRUISES DUE TO THE SEATBELT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10376370

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake caliper lock-up or ABS malfunction

SERVICE BRAKES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2010-01 → 2019-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES DID NOT ACTIVATE AND THE VEHICLE SLID WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10503151
“AT ABOUT 7500 MILES ON 02-29-2008 THE RIGHT CALIPER LOCKED UP AND BURNT THE BRAKE PADS DOWN TO NOTHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10449030
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PIN THAT CONNECTS TO THE PEDAL BROKE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM AND SUSTAINED INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10303174

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle rolls away after shifting into park

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2008-03 → 2018-06

“I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND LEFT MY TRUCK RUNNING WITH THE LIGHTS ON. I UNLOADED SOME SUPPLIES AND WHILE STANDING ON THE GROUND REACHED IN AND TURNED THE KEY OFF. THE TRUCK STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10222209
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK, IT ROLLED AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11102609
“AS THE DRIVER WAS APPROACHING THE DRIVER SIDE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THE VEHICLE STARTED DRIFTING BACKWARDS. DRIVER TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE BUT MOMENTUM WAS TOO STRONG. OPEN PASSENGER DOOR STRUCK WOODEN MAILBOX POST AND VEHICLE STOPPED. VEHICLE DRIFTED APPROXIMATELY 8-10 FEET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10453284

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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)

53 crashes 1990–2024

How the 53 occupant deaths break down

45

driver deaths

8

passenger deaths

53

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 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

2

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 2007 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.