Dodge Dakota years to avoid
The Dodge Dakota years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1997, 2005, 2003, 2006, 1994, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2010, 2009 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1986 is the cleanest year on record.
9,235
Total complaints
58
Recall campaigns
1985–2011
Years covered
15
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Dakota years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 1,096 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 1,011 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 946 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 945 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 793 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 650 | |
| 2005 | High complaints + open investigation | 598 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 419 | |
| 2006 | High complaints + open investigation | 384 | |
| 1994 | Open safety investigation | 240 | |
| 2007 | Open safety investigation | 167 | |
| 2008 | Open safety investigation | 131 | |
| 2011 | Open safety investigation | 53 | |
| 2010 | Open safety investigation | 48 | |
| 2009 | Open safety investigation | 23 |
Every Dakota year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011avoid | 53 | 6 | |
| 2010avoid | 48 | 7 | |
| 2009avoid | 23 | 5 | |
| 2008avoid | 131 | 2 | |
| 2007avoid | 167 | 4 | |
| 2006avoid | 384 | 6 | |
| 2005avoid | 598 | 7 | |
| 2004 | 287 | 5 | |
| 2003avoid | 419 | 11 | |
| 2002avoid | 946 | 12 | |
| 2001avoid | 945 | 14 | |
| 2000avoid | 1,096 | 12 | |
| 1999avoid | 1,011 | 10 | |
| 1998avoid | 793 | 12 | |
| 1997avoid | 650 | 12 | |
| 1996 | 250 | 2 | |
| 1995 | 294 | 1 | |
| 1994avoid | 240 | 4 | |
| 1993 | 159 | 2 | |
| 1992 | 314 | 2 | |
| 1991 | 161 | 5 | |
| 1990 | 88 | 3 | |
| 1989 | 88 | 3 | |
| 1988 | 65 | 3 | |
| 1987 | 21 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1985 | 3 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Dodge Dakota years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Dakota years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1997, 2005, 2003, 2006, 1994, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2010, 2009. The cleanest year on record is 1986.
What is the best year for the Dodge Dakota?
By complaint volume, 1986 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Dakota years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Dodge Dakota have?
Across all model years, the Dakota has 58 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 9,235 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.