2007 Dodge Dakota Problems

What owners report

On this model year, the largest share of complaints concerns the Takata driver and passenger airbag inflator recalls, with owners mainly describing long waits for parts rather than a failure they diagnosed themselves. Transmission and shifting complaints, front-end and steering noise, and intermittent turn-signal or wiper switch failures follow; many of the drivetrain and front-end reports come in under about 80,000 miles.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag inflator recall parts not available

   • 53 complaints (37%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners describe recall notices for the driver and passenger front airbag inflators and repeated calls to dealers that end with the same answer: the replacement part is not in stock and no firm date is given. Some report that the airbag warning light came on, or that the airbags did not deploy in a collision while the recall was still open. A few describe being told the wait could run from 30 to 90 days or longer. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 52,000 to 135,000 miles, mostly in complaints filed from 2014 through 2017 after the recalls were announced.

   Recall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVE1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask the seller for the recall paperwork and confirm with a dealer, using the VIN, whether the front airbag inflator recalls have been completed, and check that the airbag warning light goes out after the bulb check on startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall. I have received two recall notices. The first dated june 24, 2015, the second dated september 3, 2015. I have contacted my dealer on several occasions and have still yet to receive this recall repair on my vehicle. The dealer says that parts are still not available. Do you know when I can expect to have the recalled part available for install?”

   NHTSA complaint #10851743, filed 2016-03, 52,000 miles

   “I was told that it would take 30-90 days for a part to be delivered to my dealer. I received a recall notice about the airbag indicating that metal fragments could strike and potentially cause serious injury if my driver side airbag deploys. A thirty to ninety day wait is unacceptable.”

   NHTSA complaint #10762826, filed 2015-09, 31,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Intermittent turn signals and wipers

   • 13 complaints (9%)
   • median 50,196 mi at 3.7 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2017

   Owners report that the multi-function stalk intermittently stops working: a left turn signals right, a signal blinks rapidly or not at all, and the wipers come on late or will not switch off. Some describe the wipers quitting entirely in heavy rain at the same time the turn signals fail. Several had the switch replaced, in some cases more than once. Reported from roughly 23,000 to 122,000 miles, with problems appearing at any age and often in wet weather.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the engine running, cycle the signals in both directions and run the wipers through every speed and delay setting; ask whether the multi-function switch has been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In my 2007 Dodge Dakota club cab 4x4, having stopped in a straight line, I activated the left turn signal. Inside, it blinked rapidly as if to indicate a blown bulb. In may 2010, I replaced the right turn signal bulb and believed the left had now blown. After making the turn, I activated the signal again but it blinked normally . The problem has not replicated itself since.”

   NHTSA complaint #10343992, filed 2010-07, 60,100 miles

   “My 2007 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4 windshield wiper control module failed during a rain shower yesterday. This item has bee a recall on past dakotas, but after contacting the company I was informed that this pickup was not on the recall list, although the problem is exactly as described in the previous recall bulletin: pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper module motor may be susceptible to water intrusion that could cause internal corrosion and result in partial or complete loss of front windshield wiping capability. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10289450, filed 2009-10, 50,196 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh, delayed or stuck shifts

   • 14 complaints (10%)
   • median 28,000 mi at 2.6 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2014

   Complaints describe an automatic transmission that bangs or grinds when shifting into reverse, hesitates before engaging, or refuses to shift past first gear; one owner reported a shudder that felt like a downshift followed by a return to normal. Several say the dealer acknowledged the problem but had no remedy at the time. Others describe a vehicle that rolls when the key is turned off with the shifter in park or neutral, including reports of the truck moving and striking the person outside it. Mostly reported under about 30,000 miles, though some appear between 60,000 and 83,000 miles.

   Recall 06V3410004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from cold and feel for harsh or delayed 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, check that reverse engages promptly, and ask whether any transmission reflash or software update has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a 2007 used Dodge Dakota still under factory basic warranty. The test drive was fine and we did not hear any noise coming from the transmission while the windows were up. We took the vehicle home and I had turned off the radio and rolled down the window to put the truck in reverse and all of a sudden I experienced a loud bang, and grind noise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10229848, filed 2008-06, 16,450 miles

   “Truck feels as if it is has been shifted down sputters and slows down them in a few minutes it is back to normal....there seems to be a recall #06v341000 Dodge recall 37518..but Dodge says that doesn't apply to my truck I don't know how that can be possible please help.”

   NHTSA complaint #10547809, filed 2013-10, 72,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front-end noise, vibration and worn joints

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 47,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2016

   Owners describe rattling or popping from the front end over ordinary bumps, vibration at speed that feels like rough road, and, in some cases, tie rod ends and lower ball joints found loose or badly worn. Several had ball joints, tie rod ends and sway bar links replaced, and in some cases the vibration returned afterward. A few mention heavily rusted suspension parts or shocks needing replacement at relatively low mileage. Mostly reported between about 19,000 and 72,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for clunks over speed bumps on a test drive, and have a shop inspect the ball joints, tie rod ends and sway bar links for play before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2007 Dodge Dakota quad cab, v-6 that was bought new and serviced at the same dealership since I have owned it. No one else has worked on it. I took it in for the regular oil change recently and asked them to check on a popping kind of sound coming from what I thought was the right front end. The dealer said I needed shocks on all four wheels. It cost me about $950.00 to have this done. I am 65 years old and have been driving since I was 16 years old. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10495980, filed 2013-01, 56,952 miles

   “Pu began vibrating, ( like going over rough road), it would stop. But then go a mile or so farther and it would begin again. This was driven on hwy. Mechanic replaced lower ball joints and sway bar links. This did not correct the problem. He tried everything he could to remedy it but could not. Milage is 72,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10849992, filed 2016-03, 72,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Steering noise, binding and tie rod failure

   • 11 complaints (8%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2015

   Complaints describe a clicking or popping noise from the steering column when turning, steering that suddenly becomes very heavy mid-corner and then returns to normal, and in one case a fractured front tie rod. Several owners say the intermediate shaft or universal joint was replaced; one reports the dealer calling the part a common replacement item. Reported from about 60,000 to 75,000 miles in most cases, with one tie rod failure around 64,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while listening for clicks or pops, and ask whether the steering column intermediate shaft or joint has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering in any direction becomes very difficult, indicating problems with the power steering system. I suspect a replacement of the intermediate arm/shaft will become necessary as the dealer has commented that it is a very popular item of replacement for this truck. I am scheduled for service tomorrow at the dealer for repair. I do not believe that the steering should fail under normal driving conditions.”

   NHTSA complaint #10370170, filed 2010-12, 75,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the front tie rod fractured and bent the gear box, and the rack-and-pinion. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but not repaired. The contact repaired the vehicle independently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 64,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10453348, filed 2012-03, 64,000 miles

Buying note. Confirm that the Takata airbag inflator recalls have actually been completed on the specific truck, since several owners describe open recalls with parts unavailable. On a test drive, pay attention to how the transmission shifts from cold, steering noise or binding, and whether the turn signals and wipers work consistently.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.