2003 Dodge Dakota

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #04V596000December 21, 2004592,707 vehicles affected

  suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint

  On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive (4X4), if moisture leaks into the front suspension upper ball joint, evacuation of the lubricant and corrosion of the joint may cause the joint to wear over an extended period of time. This could cause a clunking noise in the front suspension, which may not always be heard by the vehicle occupants.

  Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the front suspension upper ball joints. This safety improvement campaign began on december 21, 2004. Owners Can contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

• NHTSA recall #04V216000May 5, 2004320,188 vehicles affected

  visibility: windshield wiper/washer

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #03V389000October 10, 200350,082 vehicles affected

  electrical system: wiring

  On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions, the headlamp and dash wiring harness may be chafed by the actuation of the clutch pedal. This could result in abnormal operation of the wipers, turn signals, horn or lighting systems.

  This could affect driver visibility, could prevent a driver from sounding a warning by using the horn, and, when the turn signals are inoperative, the driver cannot use them to signal intent to turn, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will reroute the wire harness and repair the harness if necessary. Owner notification began november 3, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

• NHTSA recall #02V322000December 2, 20023,640 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting: headlights: switch

  On certain pickup trucks, the central timer module (ctm) has an improperly sized circuit board trace that could potentially cause the right headlamp low beam to become inoperative.

  If the lights fail, a visibility problem could occur, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the ctm. Owner notification began december 23, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Other model years

• 1988 55
• 1989 63
• 1990 63
• 1991 128
• 1992 216
• 1993 134
• 1994 166
• 1995 208
• 1996 189
• 1997 446
• 1998 545
• 1999 641
• 2000 806
• 2001 678
• 2002 678
• 2003
• 2004 206
• 2005 470
• 2006 285
• 2007 145
• 2008 91
• 2010 35
• 2011 44