2004 Dodge Dakota Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the visibility of the 2004 Dodge Dakota, 7% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“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 miles“I have a 2004 Dodge Dakota quad cab and I have also had problems with the window regulator on the drivers side. I however have changed it myself twice in the past year and it was about 95-100$ each time and finally decided that the last time that it went out that I wasn't going to fix it until Dodge came up with a better design on it so I now have a pair of c-clamp vice grips holding my window up. It is bad that I cant roll the window down but atleast I know that I don't have to worry about it falling down and the inside getting wet or vandalized.”
NHTSA complaint #10336559, filed 2010-06, 120,000 miles“I own 2 Dodge/chrysler products, in the 6 years I have had these cars I have had to repair the electric window cables 9 times at a cost of $250.00 each time. I have asked the local dealers why they keep breaking and I am told that they use plastic pieces that don't hold up. These products are supposed to carry a lifetime warranty which none of the dealers will honor. I am not the only person complaining about this problem. I spoke to the mechanic in my home town and he said they replace at least 5 to 6 of these cables a day. Why is chrysler allowed to use these products with no consequences? …”
NHTSA complaint #10331091, filed 2010-05, 65,000 miles“My son was on his way to the doctor for an injection in his 2004 Dodge Dakota. While driving at about 45 MPH, he turned on the parking lights and the windshield wipers came on all by themselves. He had not turned on the windshield wiper switch. He stopped the truck and turned off the ignition. Assuming that it was a temporary glitch in the system he started the engine again and turned on the air conditioning system. At that time the entire lighting system went crazy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10292316, filed 2009-11, 115,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. When the heater was activated, there was no air flow distributed into the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the local dealer at his own expense. The failure mileage was 97,448.”
NHTSA complaint #11055280, filed 2017-12, 97,448 milesRelated recalls
- 04V216000May 5, 2004On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper module motor may be susceptible to water intrusion that could cause internal…Covers: Dodge Dakota 2002–2004, Durango 2002–2003
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 15 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 17 | 6% |
| 2002 | 20 | 3% |
| 2001 | 31 | 5% |
| 2000 | 25 | 3% |
| 1999 | 8 | 1% |
| 1998 | 20 | 4% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
| 1996 | 7 | 4% |
| 1995 | 8 | 4% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 4 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2004 Dodge Dakota
74 complaintsSuspension
45 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsAir bags
15 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