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2008 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Dodge Dakota has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Tie rod and steering linkage failure.” 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 2008 Dodge Dakota.

Reported to NHTSA

Tie rod and steering linkage failure

STEERING

17 NHTSA complaints · 2010-08 → 2017-03

“THE STEERING LINKAGE BALL JOINT BROKE ON MY 2008 DODGE DAKOTA WITH ONLY 23,153 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10416645
“DROVE VEHICLE HOME LAST NIGHT JUST FINE. WENT TO LEAVE THIS MORNING AND FRONT RIGHT TIRE WOULDN'T ROLL. UPON INSPECTION, TIE ROD IS NOT ATTACHED. IT JUST FELL OFF. THIS IS A COMMUTER VEHICLE AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF-ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10512702
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10968520

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Turn signal cross-activation and wiper malfunction

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2017-01

“WENT TO USE TURN SIGNALS AND THEY HANG UP. THEY DO NOT QUIT BLINKING RIGHT AWAY. DOES NOT MATTER WHICH ONE YOU TURN ON-LEFT OR RIGHT (UP OR DOWN)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10622173
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENGAGING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WOULD ACTIVATE AND IF HE ENGAGED THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD ACTIVATE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TURN SWITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10438871
“RE: 2008 DODGE DAKOTA BEEN SEARCHING FOR RECALL ON THE ABOVE VEHICLE, BEEN STOPPED NUMEROUS OF TIME BY OFFICERS ABOUT SIGNALS. HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND DOESN'T WORK. PROBLEMS: TURNS LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT ON AND THE RIGHT ONE COMES ON, THIS HAPPENS 95% OF THE TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10617180

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transfer case and rear axle pinion failure

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2018-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10928582
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE EXTERIOR REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHOM REPLACED THE PINION NUT. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10876355
“PINION BEARING FROZE UP SPINNING RACE IN REAR END HOUSING. THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ALL BEARINGS AND HOUSE ASSEMBLY. PINION BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE AT THE TIME IT WAS INSTALLED. PICKUP HAS ONLY 48K MILES ON IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10782938

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

25 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2017-10

“TAKATA RECALL FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR HOUSING MAY RUPTURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10957072
“TAKATA INFLATORS WHEN CAN I EXPECT MY TRUCK TO BE REPAIRED?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10899421
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JULY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10945625

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake lockup and premature rotor or caliper wear

SERVICE BRAKES

8 NHTSA complaints · 2008-07 → 2017-10

“FRONT BRAKES GET GRABBY, THAN LOCK-UP, WHEN DRIVEN AT RANDOM SPEEDS. THIS CAUSES THE WHEELS TO SMOKE AND ROTOR GRINDING. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 7 TIMES FROM 500 MILES TO 10,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE 2 DIFFERENT DODGE DEALERS FOR A TOTAL 3 TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10234632
“WHEEL CYLINDER FOR THE REAR BRAKES WAS FAULTY AND LEAKING. THIS LED TO THE BRAKES BEING PARTIALLY ON CONSTANTLY, AND THE BRAKE SHOES TO WEAR TO BELOW SAFE LIMITS WITHIN A YEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10659866
“BRAKES LOCKED AND SMOKED WHEN GOING OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY DAKOTA. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP. THE BRAKES SMELLED LIKE THEY WERE BURNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10442772

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in frontal crash

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-06 → 2020-11

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA CLUBCAB 4X2. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR HEAD-ON CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PERSON WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10335512
“I WAS GOING DOWN FORT SILL BLVD AND I REAR ENDED ANOTHER TRUCK. I WAS GOING ROUGHLY 40 TO 45 MILES PER HOUR. MY ENTIRE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED IN, YET MY AIR BAGS STILL DIDN'T DEPLOY?? THIS IS HE SECOND ACCIDENT THAT THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10616167
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11374709

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)

54 crashes 1990–2024

How the 54 occupant deaths break down

40

driver deaths

14

passenger deaths

54

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 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.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

1

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 2008 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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