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Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2011 Dodge Dakota

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

44

Complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 Dodge Dakota have filed 44 safety complaints with NHTSA between April 2012 and October 2024. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 18 of them (41%). The typical failure was reported at 42,000 miles, the median across the 25 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V018000 · January 15, 2019

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 1,413,222 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V021000 · January 9, 2018

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 328,177 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V352000 · May 24, 2016

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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) · up to 4,648,270 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

15V313000 · May 27, 2015

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 4,077,169 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

13V038000 · February 6, 2013

The defect
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
The risk
If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
The remedy
On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.

Chrysler Group LLC · up to 278,674 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

12V420000 · August 28, 2012

The defect
NBC Truck Equipment, Inc. (NBC) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 and model year 2010-2011 trucks equipped with Sure Power battery separator devices, due to overheating.
The risk
Overheating of the battery separator can result in smoke and possible fire.
The remedy
NBC will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the battery separators free of charge. The safety recall began November 26, 2012. Owners may contact NBC Truck Equipment, Inc. at 1-586-774-4900.

NBC TRUCK EQUIPMENT, INC · up to 32 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 44.

AIR BAGS 18 41%
POWER TRAIN 8 18%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 11%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 11%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 9%
ENGINE 3 7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 2%
STRUCTURE 1 2%
SUSPENSION 1 2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2015 at 9.

2012 2015 2024
2012 to 2024

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · crash · 32,500 miles

I WAS GOING 60MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST WENT OUT OF CONTROL FOR NO UNKNOWN REASON. I SLIDE ACROSS THE MEDIAN AND HIT A LOADED TRACTOR/TRAILER HEAD-ON. IT TOOK THE JAWS OF LIFE TO GET ME OUT OF THE TRUCK. I SUFFERED 8 BROKEN RIBS, A BROKEN LEG, BROKEN JAW AND A LACERATION UNDER MY CHIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT CAUSES LOSS OF LIFE. IT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE AND AFTER 3 MONTHS I AM STILL RECUPERATING FROM THE RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10667295. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed · 107,000 miles

I WAS IN A WRECK WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, THE TRUCK WAS TBONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND TURNED OVER ON ITS SIDE AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint 10983847. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · 20,045 miles

REAR BRAKE DRUMS WARPING AFTER BEING PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY DEALER. REAR BRAKE APPLICATION INCONSISTENT AND ROUGH CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO "HOP" AND LOSE TRACTION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE LOST CONTROL ON TURN AND SPUN OUT INTO GRASSY AREA. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10503796. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

crash · 30,000 miles

SE BARRIO HASTA CHOCAR CON LA VALLA Y VOLCARSE , CORRIO UN PEQUEO TRAMO DE CAPOTA

NHTSA complaint 10638998. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Many Dodge vehicle models experience failure of illumination for instrument clusters. This creates an unsafe condition for the driver since information presented at the instrument cluster, cannot be determined during night time driving conditions. Dodge makes no provision to customers for replacement or repair parts and does not provide any documentation through Dodge dealers on how to address this issue. It was determined that Dodge does not offer replacement instrument clusters to address this issue.

NHTSA complaint 11621880. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The backlighting on the instrument cluster is defective. Only a portion of the gauges are illuminated. Should this occur for the speedometer then driver will not have a way to determine vehicle speed during the nighttime hours.

NHTSA complaint 11487852. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My truck has a white panel that's fading out, turning black. The instrument panel is getting hard to read. Pretty soon I won't be able to see how fast I'm going, how much gas I have, any important gauge's that I need to be able to see at night.

NHTSA complaint 11431961. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

83,996 miles

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO FROM A LOCAL DEALER WITH 28,000 MILES ON IT.THE PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT IT NEW.I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS OF WHAT WAS DONE TO IT INCLUDING OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES.HAVE ALWAYS TREATED IT LIKE A BABY AND BRAGGED ABOUT IT.NOW HAS 84,016 MILES ON IT AND ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING.TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A LOWER ENGINE KNOCK AND THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.CALLED DODGE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT UP TO 100,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT.I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT TO AT LEAST 100,00 MILES.NOW I HAVE A USELESS VEHICLE AND NOTHING TO DRIVE

NHTSA complaint 11339556. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

72,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A COOLANT LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS PUNCTURED BY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA complaint 11311705. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

130,000 miles

AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING IS NOT WORKING, DRIVERS AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK AND HORN DOESNT WORK ALONG WITH ANY OTHER CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA complaint 11186652. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Dodge Dakota

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2010 35 7 —

Other 2011 Dodge models

Durango 797 Charger 694 Ram 1500 688 Grand Caravan 530 Ram 2500 297 Ram 3500 225 Avenger 209 Challenger 193

Every Dodge on this site — 105 vehicles, 431 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst