VehicleVerdict

2005 Dodge Dakota transmission problems

The 2005 Dodge Dakota has 83 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

83

Transmission complaints

14%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

05V460000TransmissionOctober 6, 2005 · 256,409 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE SHAFT MOVES OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 'PARK' POSITION.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSIONS AND INSTALL A BRACKET TO ENSURE THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT IS RETAINED IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE WIRING HARNESS AND ALARM SYSTEM WERE BURNED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SHIFT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 8, 2016 · fire

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2005 Dodge Dakota have?

NHTSA has 83 complaints about the 2005 Dodge Dakota transmission — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2005 Dodge Dakota transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 05V460000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.