Dodge Dakota Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the Dodge Dakota across 15 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (31). The words owners use most often: “windshield wipers” (15% of reports).
- 179visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 26 of 179 complaints (15%)
- Heater core: mentioned in 16 of 179 complaints (9%)
- Quad cab: mentioned in 10 of 179 complaints (6%)
- Wiper motor: mentioned in 9 of 179 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 84 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 179 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 2 an injury.
Dodge Dakota visibility complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Dakota | 1 | 3% | 32,112 |
| 2008 Dakota | 3 | 3% | 37,500 |
| 2007 Dakota | 6 | 4% | 45,279 |
| 2006 Dakota | 7 | 2% | 20,000 |
| 2005 Dakota | 4 | 1% | 70,000 |
| 2004 Dakota | 12 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2003 Dakota | 17 | 6% | 42,225 |
| 2002 Dakota | 19 | 3% | 43,500 |
| 2001 Dakota | 31 | 5% | 69,035 |
| 2000 Dakota | 25 | 3% | 45,300 |
| 1999 Dakota | 8 | 1% | 68,870 |
| 1998 Dakota | 19 | 3% | 90,500 |
| 1997 Dakota | 13 | 3% | 96,400 |
| 1996 Dakota | 7 | 4% | — |
| 1995 Dakota | 7 | 3% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring
Model years: 2006
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, a static electricity spark between the operator and the vehicle can cause the turn signal, headlamps or windshield wipers to malfunction without warning.
Risk: This can impair the driver's vision and result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will re-flash the instrument cluster. The recall began on march 6, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004
Problem: On certain 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.
Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper module. Owner notification began on july 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. While the vehicle was parked, the rear passenger side window became dislodged from the vehicle, fell to the ground, and shattered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the window regulator failed. The regulator was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. While driving approximately 65 mph, the driver side window opened independently and the glass became stuck in the down position. The dealer diagnosed that the regulator failed. The vehicle was repaired twice, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was…
Wind shield wiper motor is good but switch is defective. Only wipes very slow is very dangers for me to travel when its raining. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the windshield became detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the contact was informed that the urethane had loosened. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the front passenger's side windshield exhibited severe cracks and bubbles near the top and bottom area. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who specialized in windshield repairs. The vehicle had not been repaired…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Dakotas have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 179 owner complaints about visibility for the Dodge Dakota. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Dakota visibility?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the Dodge Dakota?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield wipers”, in 26 of 179 complaints, followed by “heater core” (16).
Other Dodge Dakota problems
- Suspension problems (1,716)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (969)
- Power Train problems (716)
- Air Bags problems (659)
- Steering problems (555)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (432)
- Electrical System problems (376)
- Tires problems (169)
See all Dodge Dakota problems.