2003 Dodge Dakota Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 13%of 296 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 13% of the 296 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I was caught in an ice storm in my 2003, Dodge Dakota, 4x4 quad cab. The truck went into a slight spin and bumped a small curb then slid up over the curb. I was only traveling at approx. 5 MPH when I bumped the curb. The axle sheared off and broke the hub, rotor, wheel, tire, and bent the axle housing. The truck was rendered undrivable and was towed to a Dodge dealership for repairs. I called daimlerchrysler and asked for the parts to be tested for defectiveness. …”
NHTSA complaint #10152783, filed 2006-03, 32,000 miles“Truck will not shift properly when going up grade. Engine will rev at 4500-5000 RPM but will not shift until I slightly release the gas pedal. Truck will also perform multiple hard up shifts when in cruise control going up grade... Had the truck in for service 3 times. First time in may, 1 month after purchase, the dealer reprogrammed the computer with a flash update and adjusted throttle linkage. That was no help. Several months later I took it in for the same problem, and dealer found nothing wrong. …”
NHTSA complaint #10053012, filed 2004-01, 200 miles“Truck shifts out of gear when stop and is left running. 1)events leading to the failure: stop to get some information on a neighborhood store, stop the truck shift the truck into park, open the door got out of the truck, close the door, as I was waking towards the front of the tuck and I was approximately 5? Feet away from the door of the truck started to move in reverse. I quickly chase the truck back, open the door jump into the truck (while the truck was moving) apply the brakes and stop the tuck. The shift indicator it showed that he truck was in park. …”
NHTSA complaint #10106444, filed 2005-01, 22,300 miles“On october 20, 2005 I was driving my 2003 Dodge Dakota quad-cab 4wd pickup back from visiting a friend when I sustained a catastrophic failure of the transfer case. This resulted in a complete loss of motive power. Vehicle was towed to the nearest Dodge dealer and repaired. Dealer claimed case was struck by something (implying abuse) which is unsupported by any physical evidence. The dealer's position prevented repairs being made under warranty. Investigation by an independent shop identified the source of the damage to be the coupling between the front driveshaft and the transfer case. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154746, filed 2006-04, 43,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10220471Feb 22, 2021Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
- 10136527Mar 27, 201356045489A$ - Neutral Safety Switch - Trans Assy 06036369AA Screw and Washer is now available as a service part , 2 required to attach Neutral Start Switch
- 10021239Aug 25, 2006Powertrain control module initialization.
- 10017000Sep 1, 200545rfe/545rfe trans - delayed engagement due to cooler return filter replacement.
- 10013731Mar 2, 2005Powertrain control module initialization.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 8 | 18% |
| 2010 | 7 | 20% |
| 2009 | 6 | 33% |
| 2008 | 10 | 11% |
| 2007 | 24 | 17% |
| 2006 | 36 | 13% |
| 2005 | 81 | 17% |
| 2004 | 19 | 9% |
| 2003 | 38 | 13% |
| 2002 | 89 | 13% |
| 2001 | 93 | 14% |
| 2000 | 74 | 9% |
| 1999 | 56 | 9% |
| 1998 | 74 | 14% |
| 1997 | 46 | 10% |
| 1996 | 28 | 15% |
| 1995 | 27 | 13% |
| 1994 | 25 | 15% |
| 1993 | 20 | 15% |
| 1992 | 110 | 51% |
| 1991 | 60 | 47% |
| 1990 | 14 | 22% |
| 1989 | 12 | 19% |
| 1988 | 10 | 18% |
| 1987 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge Dakota
100 complaintsBrakes
51 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