2003 Dodge Dakota Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 3%of 296 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 856miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 3% of the 296 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 856 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 have a light knocking in my engine. The first time I took it to the dealer, they stated there was something wrong with the engine, but unable to indentify the problem. I took it back again. They had it for 3 days, and said there was nothing wrong with it. They say all Dodge engines make that noise. Unknown to them, I have 2 and my other does not make the same noise. It has occasionally stalled both backing up and going forward. There is a pulling to the right even after having it aligned and balanced. It does not shift properly and won't stay in cruise control while climbing a hill. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086512, filed 2004-08, 11 miles“The day I brought my 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab home, I noticed a howling noise coming from the rear brakes when in reverse. Took it back to dealer to find out what was the cause and for it to be repaired. Service manager said that the breaks needed to be broken in and then the noise would stop. Took truck back for oil change after 3000 miles and informed service manager that the truck was still making howling noise. Told me there was a service bulletin on this problem and that as soon as the parts came in he would call . I'm still waiting. Also I am having transmission problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10039534, filed 2003-09, 20 miles“Consumer states while driving with cruise control on vehicle began to accelerate. Consumer tapped the gas pedal ,and there was no response. Consumer reset cruise control, and 2 miles later vehicle accelerated again while in cruise control.”
NHTSA complaint #10026375, filed 2003-08, 935 miles“Vehicle (1)shifts harshly, (2)does not upshift smoothly/upshifts at excessive RPM, (3)stalls when making low-speed left-hand turns, (4)idles roughly, (5)fails to maintain speed in cruise control, (6)downshifts harshly after losing speed in cruise control, (7)transmission gear indicator did not indicate actual gear vehicle was in, (8)vehicle failed to shift from reverse to park, and from park to reverse, and (9)vehicle emergency brake failed to release, then failed to hold.”
NHTSA complaint #10039556, filed 2003-09, 778 miles“While driving with the cruise control engaged the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate. The consumer had to tap the brake pedal to get the vehicle to decelerate. About two miles later the vehicle began to accelerate again.”
NHTSA complaint #10026379, filed 2003-08, 935 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 8 | 1% |
| 2001 | 19 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 9 | 2% |
| 1997 | 12 | 3% |
| 1996 | 10 | 5% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 6 | 4% |
| 1993 | 4 | 3% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 7 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
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 complaintsFuel system
13 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 31, 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