2003 Dodge Dakota Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 17%of 296 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 17% of the 296 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was going to move the truck out of the garage when my brake pedal went to the floor. Having recently replacing all of the brakes, I was surprised and upon further inspection saw fluid squirting out onto engine firewall. Had the truck towed to a garage where they have informed me that the steel brake lines have completely rusted through and need to replace all of them, to the tune of $800. As the truck has rather low mileage and is lightly used I am shocked with this type of failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10559236, filed 2014-01, 74,380 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10275390, filed 2009-06, 60,000 miles“Front rotors on my 2002 Dodge cc 4x4 Dakota warped at 18,000 miles. Had them turned and the rear brakes adjusted. Warping again after 8000 miles. Dodge dealer (sam leman Dodge in morton illinois)will not acknowledge a problem. They offered to cut rotor at my expense.”
NHTSA complaint #10045466, filed 2003-11, 18,000 miles“On september 8 2006 my service engine light came on as I was driving home. While climbing a hill the engine started to miss fire and the truck was running very rough. When I crested the hill the vehicle stalled and I lost power brakes and steering. There was no traffice so I was able to pull over and stop the vehicle safely. I looked under the hood and seen that the vacuum line was rotted in half. I tried to restart the vehicle and it would not run. I spliced the line and was able to get the vehicle home. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168413, filed 2006-09, 45,004 miles“After 6,000 miles on my 2003 Dakota, I had to have the rotors (all 4) turned because they were warped. Now dealer did it for free. Again 13,000 miles they are warped need turned again. Dealer not paying I have to pay them. It is close to another 6000 miles and they are starting to behave in the way they did with pedal pulsating and vibrating and the truck rear end feeling like it is bouncing up and down and I know the same problem is there, and this time it is going to be replace all 4. …”
NHTSA complaint #10053286, filed 2004-01, 6,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10175669Apr 10, 2020ABS Brake Module Code 82 and 83 Setting Within The Brake Module
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 | 14% |
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 6% |
| 2008 | 11 | 12% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 24 | 8% |
| 2005 | 83 | 18% |
| 2004 | 23 | 11% |
| 2003 | 51 | 17% |
| 2002 | 213 | 31% |
| 2001 | 130 | 19% |
| 2000 | 263 | 33% |
| 1999 | 95 | 15% |
| 1998 | 80 | 15% |
| 1997 | 73 | 16% |
| 1996 | 28 | 15% |
| 1995 | 29 | 14% |
| 1994 | 24 | 14% |
| 1993 | 24 | 18% |
| 1992 | 36 | 17% |
| 1991 | 14 | 11% |
| 1990 | 11 | 17% |
| 1989 | 8 | 13% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
| 1987 | 2 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge Dakota
100 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsEngine cooling
34 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology