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2008 Dodge Dakota: common problems and reliability
· 3rd generationOne of the better Dakota years.
91 owner complaints, most about air bags. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2008 Dakota?The 2008 Dodge Dakota has 91 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and steering. Owners most often flag fuel pump failure causing intermittent no-start: multiple owners describe no-start conditions traced to the fuel pump, including one who diagnosed it by purging the fuel rail and another who replaced the pump and still chased pressure issues.
Safety record for the 2008 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Dodge Dakota vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Dakota years only. How we score it
Is 2008 a good year for the Dakota?
Across the 16 Dakota model years we track, complaint volume runs from 18 (2009) to 842 (2000). With 91 complaints, the 2008 Dakota sits below the model's median of 296.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2008 Dakota
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 16V352000Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 15V313000Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
What owners report on the 3rd generation Dakota
Owner sentiment on the 2005-2011 Dakota is mixed but leans practical-positive among actual owners, who describe it as a capable, simple, cheap-to-maintain truck that "punches above its weight class" with a usable bed and good towing for its size.
- RecurrentTransmission failure or replacement
Owners report a transmission blowing at 70k miles on a 2005 Quad Cab Laramie, an ad noting the transmission was already replaced, and general warnings to have the transmission checked and flushed on this generation.
- RecurrentFuel pump failure causing intermittent no-start
Multiple owners describe no-start conditions traced to the fuel pump, including one who diagnosed it by purging the fuel rail and another who replaced the pump and still chased pressure issues.
- RecurrentRust and frame rot, especially in northern climates
Owners repeatedly warn that most examples "up North" are rotted out and advise inspecting for rust before buying.
- Recurrent3.7L V6 sensitivity to neglect and overheating
Owners note the 3.7/4.7 get a bad name from neglect and are sensitive to overheating, with one describing a water pump bearing failure at 173k miles that threw the serpentine belt, overheated the engine, and required a head gasket job.
- IsolatedTicking noise
One owner reports a ticking noise on a 2009 Dakota, with discussion of a possible noisy lifter and a claim that third-gen Dodges are prone to it.
Owner insights for the 3rd generation Dakota. Read the full 3rd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Dakota listings typically run $5,995–$12,109 across 1993 to 2010 model years.
Other Dakota model years
Compare every Dakota year side by side to see how 2008 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Dakota against its rivals
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