Short answer
Among Dodge Dakota model years through 2024, 2004 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (1) and 2001 and 2010 have the most (7). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Dodge Dakota: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 12 (2000–2011)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 28
- Fewest recalls
- 2004 (1)
- Most recalls
- 2001 and 2010 (7)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (22)
Dodge Dakota Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Equipment, Power train |
| 2010 | 7 | Not rated | Air bags, Power train, Equipment |
| 2009 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Power train |
| 2008 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2007 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Power train |
| 2006 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2005 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Power train, Seats |
| 2004 | 1 | Not rated | Visibility |
| 2003 | 4 | Not rated | Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Suspension |
| 2002 | 5 | Not rated | Electrical system, Equipment, Power train |
| 2001 | 7 | Not rated | Power train, Child seat, Electrical system |
| 2000 | 5 | Not rated | Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bags, Power train |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20116 recalls
- 20107 recalls
- 20095 recalls
- 20082 recalls
- 20074 recalls
- 20065 recalls
- 20056 recalls
- 20041 recall
- 20034 recalls
- 20025 recalls
- 20017 recalls
- 20005 recalls
Dodge Dakota: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Dodge Dakota recalls are air bags (22), power train (11), electrical system (5), equipment (4) and suspension (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
FAQ: Dodge Dakota Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Dodge Dakota?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2004 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 1 each.
Which Dodge Dakota model years have the most recalls?
2001 and 2010 have the most, with 7 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Dakota", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy