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2004 Dodge Dakota problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Dodge Dakota is steering, typically around 58,131 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Dakota model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
206
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
53
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
14-17mpg

The worst 2004 Dodge Dakota problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Dodge Dakota

Ball joint 37Power steering loss 17Grinding brakes 11Harsh shifting 9Steering lock-up 7No deployment 6Wipers 6Check engine light 5Knocking 5Headlights 5Jerking 5Premature wear 5Stalling 5

Recalls 1

Visibility: windshield wiper/washerReported May 5, 2004 · 320,188 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper module motor may be susceptible to water intrusion that could cause internal corrosion and result in partial or complete loss of front windshield wiping capability.
Risk
Driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper module. Owner notification began on july 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 04V216000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2004 Dodge Dakota

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Dodge Dakota 53

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 53 bulletins for the 2004 Dodge Dakota

2004 Dodge Dakota fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.7L 6‑cylRWD14-152017
3.7L 6‑cyl4WD1418-1915-16
4.7L 8‑cylRWD13-1418-1915
4.7L 8‑cyl4WD131714-15

What 2004 Dodge Dakota owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 2, 2022 · Electrical · OH

While driving my 2004 dodge Dakota all the gauges, including the speedometer and the tachometer stopped working. Everything went off although the truck was still running. I had headlights turn signals an emergency flashers nothing else. I don’t know how fast I was going how much fuel I had or if my engine was running hot nothing. This is something that could spook a driver to a point where he/she would be distracted of their surroundings. Possibly causing a serious crash and hurting or killing someone.

Filed Nov 15, 2021 · Transmission · MT

Unknown the four wheel drive was out when I purchased it I didn't realize until later that day when I drove it and tried to engage it. It no longer works and it is a safety hazard to even try and turn on it doesn't engage and makes a noise and catches in some sort of way I believe it may have affected the transmission as well. My safety and the safety of others could be at risk if I try and use the four wheel drive and it's needed for hazardous road conditions in my area like snow and ice

Filed Nov 4, 2020 · Transmission · 202,875 miles · OH

My vehicles drive shaft fell off while making a stop at a red light, the pinon nut had come loose. It was towed to a mechanic's shop, my dad came and reattached it. It still made a whirring sound, at first I was on the way to the mechanic for what I though was a pinon seal leak.

Filed Feb 13, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 150,000 miles · TN

Trans shift solenoid control pack code popped up and does not shift smoothly at all

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · 87,000 miles · IN

Shifter will move without key in ignition. Will role in any direction in any position but park. Can remove key from ignition while running. While it's still running with key out can shift and drive. Other times when I go to start engine the key won't turn. I have to hit the end of the key with the palm of one hand while the other turns it. Replaced the ball joints the first of this year and vehicle only had 87000 miles at the time. Changed brakes and had to have rotor turned. Driver side brake caliper plunger had multiple pieces break off getting stuck between break pad and remaining pieces of plunger casting the vehicle to pull left while driving. When applying the break it pull so hard it caused me to start going into another lane barely missing the side of another vehicle.

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Body, Visibility · 10,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. While the vehicle was parked, the rear passenger side window became dislodged from the vehicle, fell to the ground, and shattered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the window regulator failed. The regulator was replaced and the failure was remedied. The local dealer (rob lambdin's university dodge ram in davie, fl) and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that over the years, the failure occurred on four separate occasions on the front driver's side window, three times on the rear driver's side window, three times on the rear passenger side window, and three times on the front passenger side window. The failure mileage was 10,000.

Filed May 14, 2018 · Steering · 106,000 miles · NY

The steering is very hard to turn either left or right at most times. Feels as if the power steering has failed, but had it inspected by mechanic and says power steering pump and belts are fine. This difficulty in steering is also accompanied by a grinding type of noise in the steering column behind the steeing wheel. It has become more than just an occasional annoyance but rather a more permanent safety issue since my wife is no longer able to use the truck because of the difficulty with the steering. Please advise on what may be the cause and if the manufacturer is aware of similar problems with other dakota pick ups and if they have issued a recall in the past to remedy the problem. I am hoping to have this resolved quickly since I fear it may only lead to some tragic or catastrophic result. Thank you

Filed Dec 18, 2017 · Visibility · 97,448 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. When the heater was activated, there was no air flow distributed into the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the local dealer at his own expense. The failure mileage was 97,448.

Filed Jun 8, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 134,000 miles · OR

The driver headlight quit working. I went to the store to replace it thinking it had burnt out. When I replaced the light it did not work still and the old headlight still had both filaments proving it was still good. I took the truck to the dealership after both headlights quit working on me when I was out at night driving less than a 10th of a mile from home. I managed to not get in an accident. The dealership told me that the ctm and head light switch were bad however the ctm was a "obsolete" part and they were unable to get me one. After they released my truck back to me to drive as I please, I was able to purchase an older ctm from a 2003 4x4 automatic dakota 4.7l. Now my lights work and I have a "guarantee" from the ebay seller that it will work for 6 months. I have a seriously dangerous vehicle and I can not trust my headlights will not go out at any time so I can not drive it at night in good confidence or moral conscience. The dealership lilithia dodge of roseburg oregon has record of my truck being in their possession for multiple days before releasing it back into my possession without doing anything but a diagnostics test.

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · FL

The heater blower resistor keeps burning up. I have replaced the resistor various times and it keeps burning up. I replaced the blower motor and the resistor keeps burning up. I had the vehicle checked for an electrical short circuit and it has none. The wiring to the resistor also burns up. I checked the internet and there are numerous reports and complaints of the same problem with many owners of the same type of vehicle. In one of the cases the resistor cause a fire inside the vehicle and the vehicle burned down. This problem has been occurring on these vehicles for a long time and it hadn't been reported to the manufacturer. I am afraid that someday the vehicle will catch on fire because of this issue. I keep on replacing the resistor and the harness every time it burns and I've also replaced the blower motor. I can't seem to get answer from anyone from dodge or chrysler on this problem. At the time that the resistor burned down the vehicle was running on the city streets at 30 MPH. It has happened various times on the same running senario.

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Compare the 2004 Dodge Dakota

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Questions about the 2004 Dodge Dakota

Is the 2004 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Owners have filed 206 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Dakota, close to a typical Dakota model year.

What is the 2004 Dodge Dakota year score?

The 2004 Dodge Dakota scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge Dakota: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Dodge Dakota?

Steering, with 74 complaints, typically around 58,131 miles. Next is suspension (45).

How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Dakota have?

1 recall, covering visibility.

What year does the Dodge Dakota have bad steering?

The Dodge Dakota model years with the most steering complaints are 2004 (74 complaints), 1999 (72 complaints) and 2000 (68 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Dodge Dakota get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Dodge Dakota range from 14 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.7L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 14-15 city and 20 highway.

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