2005 Dodge Dakota Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 3%of 470 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,457miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Dodge Dakota, 3% of the 470 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,457 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“At random, my vehicle will shut off or die causing me to loose the ability to steer. It can stall while waiting at a stop light, or turning left. Most recently it stalled while I was turning left and I almost hit a parked car since I had no steering. This has happened about 12 times. One time it happened 3 times in one day. I have brought it to the shop and they could not find anything wrong with it. Its seems to stall after I was stopped and waiting or when I decelerate.”
NHTSA complaint #10166161, filed 2006-08, 29,044 miles“We bought a new 2005 Dodge Dakota quad cab v-6 from magnussens in aburn california. When parking from our return trip 200 miles away we noticed a noise, as if the tires were rubbing. Made an appointment with the Dodge dealership in our area for july 19th. They inspected the truck and said that the serpentine belt and tensioner would have to be replaced. This, if not fixed could cause lose of power steering, AC etc. As stated in the owners manually. However, they could not perform the work until they called chrysler corp and get authorization. This took 1 week. …”
NHTSA complaint #10132437, filed 2005-08, 300 miles“2005 Dodge Dakota quad cab v8 2wd. Vehicle has been to original dealer 3-4 times. Once to replace the rear brakes under a recall. At least 2-3 times to fix a rough idle and a miss at light throttle cruising speed. Original dealer called it a fish bite. Is that a technical term I missed? Another called it beaming. I guess these are technical terms learned at big city dealer school. Driving at speeds from 25-85 MPH truck seems to run rough. And also seems to have lost some power. Mpg has gone from 18.5 to 15. Have been told everytime we reset the computer, nothing is wrong, ergo it is fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10160694, filed 2006-06, 17,500 miles“We bought a new 2005 Dodge Dakota quad cab v-6 from magnussens in aburn california. When parking from our return trip 200 miles away we noticed a rubbing noise, almost as if the tires are rubbing. Made an appointment with the Dodge dealership in our area for july 19th. They inspected the truck and said that the serpentine belt and tensioner would have to be replaced. This, if not fixed could cause lose of power steering, AC etc. As stated in the owners manually. However, they could not perform the work until they called chrysler corp and get authorization. This took 1 week. …”
NHTSA complaint #10132434, filed 2005-08, 300 miles“I have been trying to get chrysler to fix the vibration/or wobbling sensation in my 05 Dodge Dakota since october. They did replace the axles but the truck still vibrates. They will not work on my truck- they say everything is normal and I disagree. I believe there are safety issues here. My 3.7 v6 engine has a lower engine knock at slow idles. They refuse to acknowledge the sound or say it is normal. I have been to the dealership several times and had to finally hire a lawyer for advice. I have also had problems with my heater not working and transmission/rear end making unexplained noises. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154781, filed 2006-04, 3,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10220837Mar 10, 2021GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to…
- 10190584Mar 10, 2021GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to…
- 10223854Sep 7, 2016Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies…
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10121927Jan 26, 2016NAG1 (5A580) Valve Body As per Warranty Bulletin D-13-22, please use R2108213A$ valve body for all Warranty (W), Mopar (M) and Mopar Vehicle Protection (F) claims.~ Assembly also…
- 10229181Feb 12, 2015Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must…
- 10223602Feb 12, 2015Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must…
- 10223599Feb 11, 2015Part Description: Valve Body Assembly Issue Description: Valve body design was changed between 2010MY and 2011MY applications. To prevent mix matching valve bodies and solenoid…
- 10024083Jan 8, 2008Positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system freezes in extreme cold ambient temperatures -- involves installing revised pcv system components.
- 10015075Apr 28, 2005New water pump for 3.7l engine - no longer common with 4.7l. Advanced service information #05-002.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 12 | 3% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 34 | 11% |
| 2002 | 34 | 5% |
| 2001 | 53 | 8% |
| 2000 | 50 | 6% |
| 1999 | 70 | 11% |
| 1998 | 60 | 11% |
| 1997 | 49 | 11% |
| 1996 | 27 | 14% |
| 1995 | 18 | 9% |
| 1994 | 14 | 8% |
| 1993 | 12 | 9% |
| 1992 | 19 | 9% |
| 1991 | 6 | 5% |
| 1990 | 3 | 5% |
| 1989 | 8 | 13% |
| 1988 | 4 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2005 Dodge Dakota
143 complaintsBrakes
83 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
81 complaintsSuspension
51 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsSeats
41 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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