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Dodge DakotaModel year report

2011 Dodge Dakota Problems

Compared with other Dodge Dakota years

Typical for this model

64/100 1.4× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2010

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
44filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
Recalls
64 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 3.7L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Dodge Dakota (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2011 Dodge Dakota. The part named most often is air bags, with 18 complaints (41% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (8) and brakes (6). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns (4 marked do-not-drive) and 68 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 recall campaigns covering the inflator module filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the differential unit and 20 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Dodge Dakota model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 64 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the check engine and air bag warning indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v313000 and 16v352000 (air bags). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,329. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10915507, filed 2016-10, 82,329 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted an abnormal noise without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pinion bearing failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000..”

NHTSA complaint #11101315, filed 2018-06, 190,000 miles

Brakes: “Was driving at low rate of speed on side road. Began to smell burning tire smell. Pulled over and right front wheel was extremely hot, smoking, dripping burning white plastic looking material onto disk. Got back in and drove to mother-in-law's house, approx three miles. Still hot and appeared close to bursting into flame. Tire and wheel smoking and stinking. Brother in law hit caliper with a hammer to make it release. Has not recurred.”

NHTSA complaint #10503141, filed 2013-03, 14,900 miles

Other or unknown: “I was going 60mph when the vehicle just went out of control for no unknown reason. I slide across the median and hit a loaded tractor/trailer head-on. It took the jaws of life to get me out of the truck. I suffered 8 broken ribs, a broken leg, broken jaw and a laceration under my chin. This is a very dangerous vehicle that should be taken off the road before it causes loss of life. It almost cost me my life and after 3 months I am still recuperating from the result of this accident.”

NHTSA complaint #10667295, filed 2014-12, 32,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

64% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,375 and 82,329 miles.

4%0–1016%10–2544%25–508%50–7512%75–10012%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (25 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20132015992017201920212024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Dodge Dakota. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Dakota · crew cab 4WDnot rated———4 · 17.9% risk
Dakota · extended cab 4WDnot rated———4 · 17.9% risk
Dakota · crew cab RWDnot rated———4 · 19.1% risk
Dakota · extended cab RWDnot rated———4 · 19.1% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Dodge Dakota version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Dakota Pickup 2WD3.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152017$3,950
Dakota Pickup 4WD3.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450
Dakota Pickup 2WD4.7L 8-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic141916$4,200
Dakota Pickup 4WD4.7L 8-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic141915$4,450

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Dodge Dakota → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 68 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 68 bulletins →

Other model years of the Dodge Dakota

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20114442,0006—1764 · TypicalFalling
20103549,9007—1731 · FewerFalling
20091844,0005—17—Falling
20089153,4332—1750 · TypicalFalling
200714550,1964—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200628555,0005—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200547058,6306—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200420651,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200329634,4954—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200267839,1005—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200167850,0007—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200080652,0005—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199964160,0004—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199854568,5005—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199744672,4175—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199618988,7501—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199520898,4250—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1994166120,0003—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199313480,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1992216112,5001—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199112875,0004—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199063—3—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198963124,9903—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19885583,0253—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19872069,0002—18—Stable

All Dodge Dakota model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Dodge Dakota have?

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2011 Dodge Dakota as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Dodge Dakota is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 18 complaints (41% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 8.

Has the 2011 Dodge Dakota been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, 4 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Dodge Dakota get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Dodge Dakota (Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Dodge Dakota reported?

Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,000 miles and the middle half falls between 28,375 and 82,329 miles; 64% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.