2005 Dodge Dakota Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 81about this part
- Share
- 17%of 470 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 81 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Dodge Dakota, 17% of the 470 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Service 4wd light keeps coming on and I was watching it and notice the 4 low light blinked on once. Nothing seems to be wrong with the transfer case but I think it wanting to go into 4wd on its own. The serv 4wd light stays on at times and other times after awhile it will go off but later come back on.”
NHTSA complaint #11166036, filed 2019-01, 92,000 miles“While driving on I-635 northbound at around 25 to 30 MPH with 4x4 activated on a single line available since it was cleared and salted. Without warning I was the only vehicle that veered right hard and I lost control of the vehicle almost crashing onto the metal beam along the highway. I went past the shoulder and down to the bottom of hill, but thankfully vehicle didn't turn off. I had to switch off 4x4 and back on and was able to climb up despite the snow back to the highway with no further reoccurrence. …”
NHTSA complaint #11400268, filed 2021-03, 189,000 miles“My 2005 Dakota has been jumping in and out of 4wd while driving down the road and yesterday the transfercase locked into neutral while the vehicle wad sitting in my mother's driveway and rolled into the road”
NHTSA complaint #11096831, filed 2018-05, 158,352 miles“Consistent driveline vibration, unable to diagnose or repair. I took my 2005 Dodge laramie quad cab in for a front end alignment on march 5, 2007 to try and repair the previously mentioned problem. Since this time I have had the truck back to the dealership a minimum of ten times and it has been in their possession at least 60 days. …”
NHTSA complaint #10197660, filed 2007-07, 19,963 miles“Truck is going into 4wd by itself. I almost crashed going at a high speed. Truck steering wheel locked up, tires locked up, truck lost all power and turned off. The 4x4 light turns on and off. When using the keyless entry button on remote I can hear a clicking and grinding noise under truck. The 4wd engages without me even being in the truck it happens sometimes when I ise the remote to unlock truck. I jad the 4wd engage also while making a turn. The wheels ceased up and couldnt get truck to advance. This has been happening since 2 weeks ago. …”
NHTSA complaint #10873346, filed 2016-06, 160,325 milesRelated recalls
- 05V460000Oct 6, 2005On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor…Covers: Dodge Dakota 2005, Chrysler 300 2005–2006, Dodge Magnum 2005–2006 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10220840Mar 31, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 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…
- 10220868Mar 4, 2021Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
- 10190615Mar 4, 2021Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
- 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
- 10021426Mar 20, 2007Improved hill climb capability in reverse or dtc's p1713 / p1776.
- 10020935Dec 9, 2006Flash 42rle - improved hill climb capability in reverse or diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p1713/p1776.
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 2005 Dodge Dakota
143 complaintsBrakes
83 complaintsSuspension
51 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsSeats
41 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsEngine cooling
12 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 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