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2003 Dodge Dakota transmission problems

38 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 12,000.

owner complaints
38
of this car's complaints
13%
typical mileage
12,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    13
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    2
  • Driveline: differential unit
    2
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    2
  • Manual transmission: shift pattern indicator
    1
  • Manual transmission
    1
  • Driveline: driveshaft
    1
  • Clutch assembly
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Dodge Dakota transmission problems in other years

19901995200020052011

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Dodge Dakota transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Won't shift 10Whining noise 9Harsh shifting 7Slipping 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Dodge Dakota owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 26, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 130,000 miles · NY

1. While sitting in park on a automatic transmission. In a still position rolled front or back more than a couple inches. Had to step on brake while in park and had to block wheels when engine was off to keep from rolling. Emergency brake does not hold or work properly either. 2. The heater has only high position working now. The dash gets to hot to even keep heat on very long. Fuel cap with key. When getting fuel truck has to be turned off before pumping otherwise engine light comes on the dash and needs to be reset or driven miles before engine lightor goes back off.3. The upper ball joints had to replace twice now. Breaks had to replace twice also due to suspension being out of whack and problem above. Now there is noise in front driver side wheel area. 4. Put all new break lines on it because they kept blowing out. Leaking in different locations by too much pressure build up in sections of lines. 5. I bought it in 2018 used from a dealer. But I have put so much work on it that now there's a transmission problem. 6. Having no or little breaks all of sudden in a crowded intersection or having to block wheels so it doesn't roll into another car but no accident yet but could happen.

Filed Jul 17, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 199,000 miles · FL

Vehicle will shift gear mechanically, but will not shift into neutral and/or park on the dash. Vehicle also will not start as a result.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 128,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the key fob failed to lock and unlock the vehicle. Additionally, the driver's side master window control was also inoperable and the doors could not be locked or unlocked. The contact then started the engine and the 4-wheel drive warning light illuminated. The headlights and tail lights had also failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken the dealer for diagnosis where the dealer stated that the central timer module would need to be repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v322000 (exterior lighting) however, the contact was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The contact believed that the failure described in the recall was the same failure that had been experienced with his vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2012 · Suspension, Transmission · 110,000 miles · WI

When driving down the road straight no curve, the rear axle of my truck on the passenger side broke off and lost control of the vehicle fortunately, there was no traffic near by while vehicle was moving uncontrolled down the road. In a coincidence dodge is have a recall of same issue for only the 2009 and 2010 models.

Filed Oct 9, 2012 · Transmission · 100,012 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the rear axle pinion nut became loose. The axle then seized without warning, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle momentarily. The manufacturer was notified of the issue but offered no assistance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and was repaired. The failure mileage was 100,012 and the current mileage was 100,205.

Filed Feb 19, 2010 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. While driving 55 MPH he noticed smoking coming from the engine. He immediately took the vehicle to the car wash to stop it from smoking. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who located the failure as the front drive shaft. The drive shaft was replaced. The total cost of the repair was $320.00. The manufacturer stated that they would not offer any assistance with the repair cost because the repair was not done by an authorized dealer. The failure mileage was 68,000. The current mileage was 100,000. Updated 3/17/10 *cn the consumer stated the defect was on the hgh velocity joint fo the front drive shaft. Updated 05/14/10.

Filed Jun 30, 2009 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 60,000 miles · CA

2003 dodge dakota, 2wd, 5 spd manual, v6. At speeds from 15 MPH and up the brake system seems to fail as the truck jumps and skids very rapidly. The first time this happened I was on the freeway, traffic came to a halt quickly, I applied the brakes and almost lost control and hit the car in front of me as this jumping and skidding occured. All parts on the truck are factory and have not been modified. I am concerned and wondering if this has anything to do with the front suspension clunking.

Filed Apr 11, 2008 · Electrical, Fuel system · 65,700 miles · NV

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. While driving between 5-10 MPH, the contact heard a loud thud coming from the axle area. The four wheel drive indicator light illuminated and the headlights, interior lights, and windshield wipers failed completely. Eventually, the horn began to sound intermittently, the windshield wipers began wiping automatically, and the low fuel indicator light illuminated and continued to chime. The contact believes that all the failures were related to the central timer module. The federal safety agency campaign id number 02v322000 (exterior lighting:headlights switch) was referenced. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 66,000 and failure mileage was 65,700.

Filed Aug 24, 2007 · Transmission · 34,700 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle slipped out of gear and began to roll while it was parked. The vehicle was unable to be driven because it would not shift into gear. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 34,700.

Filed Aug 22, 2007 · Transmission · 34,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. When she attempted to enter the vehicle, the stick slipped out of gear and the vehicle began to roll backward. The vehicle was parked in first gear and the engine was turned off. The vehicle was parked on a flat surface and the weather was normal. The vehicle was not looked at by a dealer. The current mileage was 34,750. The failure mileage was 34,000.

Questions about the 2003 Dodge Dakota transmission

Does the 2003 Dodge Dakota have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Dakota transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 12,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Dodge Dakota transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Dodge Dakota have bad transmission?

The Dodge Dakota model years with the most transmission complaints are 1992 (110 complaints), 2001 (93 complaints) and 2002 (89 complaints).

Other 2003 Dodge Dakota problems

Suspension 100Brakes 51Engine 35Electrical 34Lights 23Visibility 17Steering 14Airbags 13Fuel system 13Acceleration 9Body 8Tires 8Wheels 5Locks 3Seat belts 3Driver assistance 2

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