2008 Dodge Dakota Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 9%of 91 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Dodge Dakota, 9% of the 91 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles.
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.
“Turning right last year signaled left and the blinker blinked right my wife was behind me and later asked why I didn't signal the right way I said I did im not a dumm yi checked things they were fine. About a week later ...I put the high beams on and the wipers came on ran through the turn signals sure enough signal left blink right signal right blink left. Put high beam on washer fluid and wipers come on.”
NHTSA complaint #10744183, filed 2015-07, 100,000 miles“The left turn signal works when it wants and when I turn it on the right turn signal comes on. The wipers and the headlights are currently going out or coming on by themselves. I have an error on the airbags (which have had the drivers replaced and currently awaiting the passengers, plus the new recall on the hose to the air bags). This issue started at around 120k miles. The fuses have been checked and passed. The bulbs-replaced. The situation is getting worse as the dash and interior lights do not work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10939113, filed 2017-01, 125,000 miles“Re: 2008 Dodge Dakota been searching for recall on the above vehicle, been stopped numerous of time by officers about signals. Have replaced bulbs and doesn't work. Problems: turns left signal light on and the right one comes on, this happens 95% of the time. Emergency flashes does not work 75% of the time.”
NHTSA complaint #10617180, filed 2014-07, 65,000 miles“Turn signals and wipers intermittent. Push lever down and right signal may blink, or no signal, or left signal. Push lever up and right signal may blink or nothing at all. If signals do work properly as they switch off (either manually or when the turn is completed) opposite signal may blink 1-3 times. While switching from high beam to low beam and vice versa windshield washer and wipers will turn on for 3-4 swipes.”
NHTSA complaint #10425687, filed 2011-09, 45,000 miles“Turn signal activates the wrong indicator. When the turn signal is set to a left turn, the right turn indicators flash, both on the dashboard and on the exterior signal lamps. From a web search, this is a relatively common problem stemming from a faulty switch in the steering column. This situation is far more dangerous than a situation where the exterior lamps are not working. Because the wrong indicator flashes, other driver can make erroneous decisions about the driver's intent, leading to a significantly higher probability of a crash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10929970, filed 2016-12, 95,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10023351Aug 8, 2007Exterior lamp - lens fogging.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 9% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 3% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 22 | 7% |
| 2002 | 21 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 1% |
| 1999 | 7 | 1% |
| 1998 | 11 | 2% |
| 1997 | 6 | 1% |
| 1996 | 6 | 3% |
| 1995 | 5 | 2% |
| 1994 | 5 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2008 Dodge Dakota
29 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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