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EquipmentPart report

2003 Dodge Dakota Equipment Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
1%of 296 total for the year
Median mileage
15,250miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the equipment of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 1% of the 296 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,250 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“On june 5, 2006 the engine light came on in our 2003 Dodge Dakota (approx. 25,500 miles). We took it to the Dodge dealership and they replaced a hose for the fuel line at a cost of approx. $250. On june 7, 2006 the engine light again came on and Dodge said an o2 sensor needed to be replaced (at a cost to us of approx. $300). With in the next 3 weeks our Dodge was in the shop 2 more times (for a total of 4 items in a month) due to the engine light coming on. The last time they told us the o2 sensor that was replaced was faulty and was the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10163316, filed 2006-07, 25,500 miles

“When the truck is started and put into drive it hesitates then shifts really hard. Also when the truck is started and allowed to warm up for around three minutes it dies when it is put in reverse. When it does this none of the lights on the instrument panel come on. The truck just dies. I have had the truck into the dealership four times now. The first time I took it in, the dealership told me that they couldn't get the problem to replicate and told me to bring it back when it got worse. …”

NHTSA complaint #10071170, filed 2004-01

“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab. Whenever the brake pedal was applied, the brakes would pulsate, overheat, and lock up. The stopping distance would also increase. The dealer stated that wet conditions and high speed braking caused the rotors to warp. In addition, the vehicle idles high and roughly when approaching a stop sign or traffic light. When accelerating from a stop or merging into traffic, the vehicle would idle roughly. There was no throttle response for approximately 10 to 20 seconds, but then the vehicle would surge forward. …”

NHTSA complaint #10242935, filed 2008-09, 5,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Equipment: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200822%
200721%
200610%
200520%
200421%
200341%
2002122%
2001122%
200041%
1999173%
1998102%
1997112%
199642%
199552%
199432%
199221%
199154%
199023%
198923%
198824%
198715%

Other parts of the 2003 Dodge Dakota

Suspension
100 complaintsBrakes
51 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 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge Dakota

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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