What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Dakota?

Air bags lead with 29 complaints, then steering with 17. Brakes and the electrical system each have 11.

Does the 2008 Dodge Dakota have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show 2 recalls for 2008. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

How many complaints are there for the 2008 Dodge Dakota?

NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file. They are unverified owner reports.

What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Dodge Dakota?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2008 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Owner reports point to air bags, steering, brakes and electrical parts as the areas to check. See the by-year comparison on this page for how it stacks up against other years.

2008 Dodge Dakota Pickup Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Dodge Dakota Pickup^[1]. The air bags group is named most often, with 29 complaints^[2].

91owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[3]

15–18MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners raise, biggest first.

Air Bags. 29 complaints^[2]. Owners describe crashes where the air bags did not go off, and a repair for a recall that was held up while the owner waited for parts.
Steering. 17 complaints^[5]. Owners describe worn or broken tie rods and ball joints, and power steering that behaves unpredictably, especially when cold.
Brakes. 11 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, the front brakes grab or lock up, sometimes with smoke and a burning smell, and some owners report shaking when they press the pedal.
Electrical System. 11 complaints^[7]. Owners describe turn signals and wipers that work on and off, a power module that can leave the truck unable to start, and a seatbelt alarm that keeps sounding.
Power Train. 10 complaints^[8].
Exterior Lighting. 8 complaints^[9].
Unknown Or Other. 7 complaints^[10].
Suspension. 5 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 Dakota Pickup is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V352), May 2016. About 4,648,270 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (15V313), May 2015. About 4,077,169 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[14]	15 / 20 / 17	$3,950
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	16 / 20 / 18	$3,700
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[15]	14 / 18 / 15	$4,450
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[16]	15 / 19 / 16	$4,200
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[17]	14 / 19 / 15	$4,450
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[18]	14 / 19 / 15	$4,450
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive^[19]	14 / 19 / 15	$4,450
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[20]	14 / 19 / 15	$4,450

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR RWD/AWD^[21]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	17.9%
2 DR RWD/AWD^[22]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	17.9%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB 2WD LARAMIE^[23]	219 in	72 in	69 in	131 in	4,295 lb
DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB 2WD ST/SLT^[24]	219 in	72 in	69 in	131 in	4,281 lb
DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB 4WD ST/SLT^[25]	219 in	72 in	69 in	131 in	4,436 lb
DAKOTA P/U QUAD CAB 2WD LARAMIE^[26]	219 in	72 in	69 in	131 in	4,385 lb
DAKOTA P/U QUAD CAB 2WD ST/SLT^[27]	219 in	72 in	69 in	131 in	4,363 lb
DAKOTA P/U QUAD CAB 4WD ST/SLT^[28]	219 in	72 in	69 in	130 in	4,500 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Dakota Pickup model year. The 2008 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	208	0
1996	189	1
1997	446	5
1998	545	5
1999	641	4
2000	806	5
2001	678	7
2002	678	5
2003	296	4
2004	206	1
2005	470	6
2006	285	5
2007	145	4
2008	91	2
2009	18	5
2010	35	7
2011	44	6

NHTSA's counts for the Dakota Pickup show 91 complaints and 2 recalls for 2008^[3]. Among the 17 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 13 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2009 (18) and the most are for 2000 (806)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2008 Dakota Pickup?

The 2008 Dodge Dakota Pickup has 91 complaints on file^[1]. Air bags and steering lead the list^[2]^[5]. Brakes and the electrical system follow with the same count each^[6]^[7]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, so read them as a guide to what to check, not as proof of how every truck behaves. Look over the recall section on this page and have the brakes, steering parts and lights inspected before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Dakota?: Air bags lead with 29 complaints^[2], then steering with 17^[5]. Brakes and the electrical system each have 11^[6]^[7].
Does the 2008 Dodge Dakota have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show 2 recalls for 2008^[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints are there for the 2008 Dodge Dakota?: NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified owner reports.
What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Dodge Dakota?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2008 Dodge Dakota reliable?: Owner reports point to air bags, steering, brakes and electrical parts as the areas to check^[2]^[5]^[6]^[7]. See the by-year comparison on this page for how it stacks up against other years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Dodge Dakota Pickup

1998 545 complaints, 5 recalls
1999 641 complaints, 4 recalls
2000 806 complaints, 5 recalls
2001 678 complaints, 7 recalls
2002 678 complaints, 5 recalls
2003 296 complaints, 4 recalls
2004 206 complaints, 1 recall
2005 470 complaints, 6 recalls
2006 285 complaints, 5 recalls
2007 145 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 this page

Compare all model years of the Dodge Dakota Pickup

Other Dodge models from 2008

2008 Dodge Avenger 844 complaints, 6 recalls
2008 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 302 complaints, 2 recalls
2008 Dodge Challenger 10 complaints, 3 recalls

All Dodge models

Similar cars from 2008: pickup trucks

2008 Chevrolet Colorado 81 complaints, 2 recalls
2008 Honda Ridgeline 143 complaints, 8 recalls
2008 Nissan Titan 133 complaints, 5 recalls

All pickup trucks we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Dodge Dakota Pickup (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
29 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Dakota Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
17 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,621). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,368). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,078). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,500). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 16V352, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V313, filed May 26, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB 2WD LARAMIE: length 219 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 4,295 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB 2WD ST/SLT: length 219 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 4,281 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB 4WD ST/SLT: length 219 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 4,436 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U QUAD CAB 2WD LARAMIE: length 219 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 4,385 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U QUAD CAB 2WD ST/SLT: length 219 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 4,363 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U QUAD CAB 4WD ST/SLT: length 219 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 130 in, curb weight 4,500 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2008 Dodge Dakota Pickup: problems, recalls and fuel economy