2004 Dodge Dakota Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 10%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,564miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Dodge Dakota, 10% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,564 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I started my vehicle and could not get my headlights to turn on. All connections and bulbs were checked by a mechanic and the problem has been traced to the ctm (central timing module). These units are on nationwide back order. This is a serious safety issue and a serious replacement issue if people are losing their headlights and the part is on an unknown back order situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10927591, filed 2016-11, 196,000 miles“Smell of burnt wire/plastic. Blower control switch would not work (blower motor would not run). Blower motor resistor and pigtail connection were melted and fused together. This was in 2010, it is now 2015 and I just had the seventh resistor put in with the fifth pigtail. The time before this last nightmare, I also had the blower motor replaced in case it was the cause of the resistor and pigtail connection issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10762291, filed 2015-09, 46,923 miles“This is the second time this has happened an been replaced...now im going without a heater because the blower motor resistor started sparking an the smell of burning rubber an melted plastic filled the cab of the vehicle so I quickly pulled over to avoid a accident an I reached under to the to whare the resistor is located an it was scortching hot to the touch. It looks like it had started to catch fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10444695, filed 2012-01, 48,564 miles“The heater blower resistor keeps burning up. I have replaced the resistor various times and it keeps burning up. I replaced the blower motor and the resistor keeps burning up. I had the vehicle checked for an electrical short circuit and it has none. The wiring to the resistor also burns up. I checked the internet and there are numerous reports and complaints of the same problem with many owners of the same type of vehicle. In one of the cases the resistor cause a fire inside the vehicle and the vehicle burned down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10969091, filed 2017-03, 125,000 miles“The driver headlight quit working. I went to the store to replace it thinking it had burnt out. When I replaced the light it did not work still and the old headlight still had both filaments proving it was still good. I took the truck to the dealership after both headlights quit working on me when I was out at night driving less than a 10th of a mile from home. I managed to not get in an accident. The dealership told me that the ctm and head light switch were bad however the ctm was a obsolete part and they were unable to get me one. …”
NHTSA complaint #10994034, filed 2017-06, 134,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10230298Jul 9, 2022Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)
- 10223762Jul 9, 2022Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)
- 10229256Jul 22, 2020KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other…
- 10221686Jul 22, 2020KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other…
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and…
- 10228093May 11, 2016KEY BLANK WITH TRANSMITTER The key with an integrated FOB P/N 05183348AA is temporarily unavailable. The supplier is currently working on a functional replacement. Currently, for…
- 10217728Jul 30, 2014Generic Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Procedure This bulletin involves programming a generic PCM with software.
- 10141243Jul 30, 2014Generic Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Procedure This bulletin involves programming a generic PCM with software.
- 10129011Mar 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
- 10189392Jan 31, 2013MIL Illumination - DTC P1776 Solenoid Switch Valve Latched in LR Position
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 9% |
| 2010 | 6 | 17% |
| 2009 | 3 | 17% |
| 2008 | 11 | 12% |
| 2007 | 14 | 10% |
| 2006 | 30 | 11% |
| 2005 | 32 | 7% |
| 2004 | 21 | 10% |
| 2003 | 34 | 11% |
| 2002 | 52 | 8% |
| 2001 | 58 | 9% |
| 2000 | 21 | 3% |
| 1999 | 23 | 4% |
| 1998 | 19 | 3% |
| 1997 | 17 | 4% |
| 1996 | 19 | 10% |
| 1995 | 12 | 6% |
| 1994 | 23 | 14% |
| 1993 | 8 | 6% |
| 1992 | 23 | 11% |
| 1991 | 7 | 5% |
| 1990 | 2 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2004 Dodge Dakota
74 complaintsSuspension
45 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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