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2009 Dodge Dakota: common problems and reliability
· 3rd generationOne of the best Dakota years.
The best Dodge Dakota year. All Dakota years
18 owner complaints, most about power train. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Dakota?The 2009 Dodge Dakota has 18 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and air bags. 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 2009 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Dodge Dakota vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Dakota years only. How we score it
Is 2009 a good year for the Dakota?
Across the 16 Dakota model years we track, complaint volume runs from 18 (2009) to 842 (2000). With 18 complaints, the 2009 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 2009 Dakota
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 18V021000Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
power train:driveline:differential unit
Campaign 12V474000Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.
Show 1 more recall
power train:driveline:differential unit
Campaign 13V038000Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
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 2009 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Dakota against its rivals
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