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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2008 Dodge Dakota Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
11%of 91 total for the year
Median mileage
57,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Dodge Dakota, 11% of the 91 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 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.

“My engine turns off while driving. I cannot restart the engine until I have stopped, shifted to park, and cycled the ignition to off. The engine stalling started as a low/slow idle condition, and now has escalated to cutting off at full acceleration while merging into expressway traffic. This has happened on several dates. I am selecting the date of my last remembered occasion.”

NHTSA complaint #11197318, filed 2019-04, 57,000 miles

“My four wheel drive is engaging on it's own. The shift motor engages while the vehicle is parked and turned off. The four wheel drive will engage on it's own while I am driving. I had the vehicle tested at a certified garage and the mechanic said that the transfer case shift motor needs to be replaced. After researching Dodge/chrysler issues, I have found that quite a few others have had this same issue. They also changed the transfer case shift motor and the problem was not resolved. …”

NHTSA complaint #10928582, filed 2016-11, 68,000 miles

“2008 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4 is the biggest piece of junk I have had 3 trans done and trans lines 3 times all front end tie rods struts sway bars wheel barrings rotors radio air bags seat belts and more replaced on this rolling wheeled piece of junk ive had people say nice truck and I say thanks but dont buy one they are a junk only 116k miles on it and will be lots more to spend on this junk dealer asked me if I ever drove it down a drit road and I said why he said the tie rods are wore out on it and I said how this is when I had 10k miles on it they said they that you should not go on…”

NHTSA complaint #10852121, filed 2016-03, 112,000 miles

“I was driving east on a two lane road, as I heard a slight pop come from my driver side tire. Suddenly after that pop, their was a slip in the steering and I had noticed that my driver side tire started to lose massive control, thus jerking and locking up the truck in matters of seconds. Luckily drivers behind me were paying attention and swerved out of the way nearly missing the truck. I gained some control and pulled into a near by business. Parked I assessing the situation. It was found that the tie rod had fallen off the connection for know reason at all. …”

NHTSA complaint #10348054, filed 2010-08, 51,243 miles

“Crank position sensor failed causing total loss of engine power harsh downshift from transmision at speed and loss of power brakes and power stearing could get someone killed if it was in a intersection or on the highway replacement should be free + towing”

NHTSA complaint #10721805, filed 2015-05, 25,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2011818%
2010720%
2009633%
20081011%
20072417%
20063613%
20058117%
2004199%
20033813%
20028913%
20019314%
2000749%
1999569%
19987414%
19974610%
19962815%
19952713%
19942515%
19932015%
199211051%
19916047%
19901422%
19891219%
19881018%
198715%

Other parts of the 2008 Dodge Dakota

Air bags
29 complaints
Steering
17 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Seat belts
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Engine
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 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