2003 Dodge Dakota Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 296 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 4% of the 296 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 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.
“I was driving along when my truck lost power for no apparent reason, it just stalled out. I did get to the side of the highway and turn it off, then started it up again. I continued down the road when it did it again. I was 80 miles from home and 30 miles from the nearest town in a truck that only had 40k miles of it and it left me stranded in the middle of nowhere because of a faulty fuel pump. This must be a problem since there was a recall on replaced fuel pumps in this year of vehicle. A vehicle between 03' and 06 should only have about 12k to 36k so why are the parts not staying together? …”
NHTSA complaint #10173105, filed 2006-11, 40,000 miles“1. While sitting in park on a automatic transmission. In a still position rolled front or back more than a couple inches. Had to step on brake while in park and had to block wheels when engine was off to keep from rolling. Emergency brake does not hold or work properly either. 2. The heater has only high position working now. The dash gets to hot to even keep heat on very long. Fuel cap with key. When getting fuel truck has to be turned off before pumping otherwise engine light comes on the dash and needs to be reset or driven miles before engine lightor goes back off.3. …”
NHTSA complaint #11322262, filed 2020-04, 130,000 miles“At 6,000 miles the upper ball joints failed. When riding over any size bump in the road the front end collapsed. The vehicle pulled to the right when driving and when braking, the flapper door for the fuel filler neck was missing and or fell inside the tank, the transmission did not shift properly, the front and rear rotors were grooved, worn uneven and pitted.”
NHTSA complaint #10044936, filed 2003-12, 6,000 miles“I own a 2003 Dodge Dakota 4x4 has problem with ball joints. Front end alignment pulling to the right. Consumer wants to be reimbursed for time and labor. The engine light illuminate. The dealer found that there was an evaporator leak which was caused by an aftermarket fuel cap.”
NHTSA complaint #10109258, filed 2005-01, 25,835 miles“Vehicle will either go into neutral when put in reverse or while reversing pop out of reverse into neutral. This mostly occurred when the vehicle was in 4-wheel drive. The dealership serviced the vehicle several times for this issue, but since they were unable to duplicate or resolve the problem. The consumer had two transmission problems. The transmission module shorted out on four separate occasions. This problem caused the consumer to be nearly rear ended three times. The transmission shift indicator showed that the vehicle was in reverse but acted as if it were in neutral. …”
NHTSA complaint #10073696, filed 2004-06, 100 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 13 | 4% |
| 2002 | 17 | 3% |
| 2001 | 9 | 1% |
| 2000 | 14 | 2% |
| 1999 | 14 | 2% |
| 1998 | 12 | 2% |
| 1997 | 38 | 9% |
| 1996 | 10 | 5% |
| 1995 | 17 | 8% |
| 1994 | 15 | 9% |
| 1993 | 6 | 4% |
| 1992 | 13 | 6% |
| 1991 | 8 | 6% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 5% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
| 1987 | 2 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge Dakota
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 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