10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,097 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Dodge Dakota:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #13

Mar 082006

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
I have a recurring brake vibration on my 2005 Dodge Dakota that started at approximately 12000 miles. The dealer who is doing everything he can has replaced rear axles, drums, brake pads, front rotors, turned drums, changed wheels several times. It has been in the shop at lease 7 times and the problem still exists. I wrote letters and phoned Chrysler several times and they don't seem to be interested. This is a safety issue and there will probably be a crash.

- Potosi, MO, USA

problem #12

Jul 282006

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
At 1 K I noticed a vibration when I applied the brakes. At first I thought it was my front rotors. Took it to dealer. They checked it out and they replaced the rear brake shoes. It was good until about 4500 miles. The vibrations started again. During interstate driving if I had to apply the brakes suddenly the vibration was very violent. Took it back to dealer. Told me that they would have to order new brake drums. At 5700 miles the new drums were installed. The vibration was still there with an additional popping sound when I applied the brakes. Took it back the next day. Can you believe that the new drums were warped? the dealer put the original drums back on. They contacted Chrysler and they want to balance the tires.

- Wise, VA, USA

problem #11

Oct 152006

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,407 miles
: the contact stated while applying brake pressure, the vehicle shimmied. It was taken to the dealership and the rotors and drums were replaced. The problem recurred multiple times and the rear drums, rear axle shaft, rear brake shoes and rear brake drums were replaced on different occasions. The front rotors were also resurfaced. Then, the brake pedal went to the floor and the pedal had to be pumped to stop the vehicle. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem, but replaced the master cylinder. Updated 11/2/2006 -

- Sylvania, OH, USA

problem #10

Jun 072006

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
On going incident. Under normal conditions with any load in truck bed it takes over 200 feet to stop from 60 mph. If you add a load or trailer or both the stopping distances increase to well over 300 feet & there was brake vibration coming from the rear. To address the vibration problem Dodge came out with a technical service bulletin (tsb), #05-004-05 rev. A, to address the vibration problem. Bulletin complied with which amount to refacing the front discs & rear drums, & replacement of the rear linings. At time of pick up the brake pedal had to be pumped 2 or more times to obtain braking action. Upon re-inspection by the dealer they found that one of the automatic adjuster lock down spring had become loose. Re-attached, it solved the pumping of the brake pedal going to the floor. However, the once firm brake pedal is now too soft and no amount of pumping will provide a firm feel. The dealer tried to call Dodge technical services. They advised that could not find an answer or reason for the problem. At the present time I'm having to deal with this problem as the work was done while I was on a trip to Illinois and I live in Georgia. My local dealer here in Georgia is not an acceptable. The dealer in Illinois is well aware of the problem & we will going there in late July & they will be checking out the problem. I contacted Dodge customer services & was advised "we do not have any technical information here" & are quite unconcerned about the whole problem & cannot help you. Brief history; prior to the 2005 introduction of the revised/updated 2005 Dakota the previous models had 4 wheel disc brakes that were not causing any problems. For 2005 Dodge changed from the 4 wheel discs to front discs & rear drums. I will be moving from Georgia to Illinois in the near future & have already made six trips towing a 5' X 8" U-haul trailer and have experienced many occasions that the factory installed brakes fade excessively to almost no brakes.

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #9

May 262006

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,481 miles
: the contact stated at various speeds, braking must begin 150 feet prior to the stopping point. The dealership replaced the master cylinder, rotors and drums, but the problem persists.

- Reeds Spring, MO, USA

problem #8

May 182006

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,700 miles
: the contact stated while traveling between 55-65 mph, there is a vibration when the brake pedal is depressed. Although the dealership is unable to determine the problem, multiple components have been replaced; including the rear shaft axle, actuators, drums, 6 nut wheels, caliper, rotors, the master cylinder cover, and axle sealant and seals. However, the problem persists.

- Mooresville, IN, USA

problem #7

May 062006

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,561 miles
There is a pulsation in the brake system when stopping. First had front rotors turned, rear axles & drums replaced at 3,081 miles (4 months old). Had front rotors replaced at 8,561 miles (11 months old). Still feel pulsation when slowing from 45-50 mph.

- Mount Vernon, OH, USA

problem #6

Mar 152006

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,963 miles
Rear brake pulsation.

- Cicero, NY, USA

problem #5

Feb 232006

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,400 miles
My 2005 Dodge Dakota 4 door pickup started to shimmy very bad and I had a hard time controlling the truck while braking on steep downhill highways in Virginia and West Virginia. I told the dealership when they resurfaced the rotors that they would not last through Virginia and West Virginia. My truck only had 9,400 miles on it. This is the second problem I have had with the braking system on my truck. If I have not had this problem in the past I could have had a serious accident on a 4 lane highway at highway speeds on these steep grades. Resurfacing the rotors or drums is not the solution, but is going to make the problem more serious due to the fact that when these parts are resurfaced they take away metal from the rotors or drums which makes these parts heat up even faster in this situation. These parts need to be replaces. I would have thought that the braking system on a new truck would be taken more serious than just resurfacing the rotors. But I guess Dodge is trying to repair the brakes the cheap way, until someone gets hurt or killed due to the brakes. Then Dodge will maybe take a look at this problem.

- Kane, PA, USA

problem #4

Oct 312005

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2005 Dodge Dakota tilt steering does not work, brakes shuddered. ** answer required*** it was determined that the problem was not the brake but that the rear axle had been milled incorrectly causing the brakes to shudder and vibrate. The consumer was involved in an accident in which the brakes shuddered and locked up. As a result he rear ended another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the brakes were checked. Neither the technician nor the computer found any problems with the brakes. The consumer traded the vehicle in for another 2005 Dodge Dakota.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #3

Jul 232005

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,995 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated immediately he began experiencing the brake pedal pulsating. The service dealer did not recognize the problem. The contact stated he kept experiencing the problem, and it did get worse. The dealership replaced the front brake rotors, but this did not remedy the problem. Also, the dealership replaced the rear brake drums. The contact stated that this did almost fix the problem, but after a week of driving, the pulsation appeared again. The service dealer examined the vehicle, and stated they did not feel the pulsation. They were doing the best they could for the consumer. Updated 07/25/06.

- Plainview, NY, USA

problem #2

Aug 112005

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
I have an 05 Dodge Dakota with a brake pulsation problem that the dealer can't fix. At highway speeds the truck shudders when brakes are applied. Replaced pads, rotors and calipers and problem is still present. Attempted three different times to get repairs and no solution.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 012005

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
Dt when the consumer applied the brakes, the vehicle vibrated so badly, the consumer was unable to control the vehicle. The dealer replaced the left front wheel bearing, rotors, front and rear drums. The consumer called daimler Chrysler and they were suppose to get back with the consumer today. Can't set minutes on clock radio and won't keep correct time. Clock radio has to be reordered. Speedometer ticks at times. Dealer could not duplicate condition.

- Canton, NY, USA