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2009 Dodge DakotaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 2009 Dodge Dakota, most often about the power train. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-352 the manufacturer reports only 34% of affected cars repaired.

2009 Dodge Dakota
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls5Lowest repair rate 34%Owner complaints182 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage50kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 23, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Dodge Dakota has problems

18 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train60
Air bags51
Electrical system30
Tires20
Engine20
Wheels10
Service brakes10
Vehicle speed control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2009 Dodge Dakota recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

49%repaired · 2019 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 18V-021 · Jan 9, 2018 · 328,177 vehicles · 160,051 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

34%repaired · 2018 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 16V-352 · May 24, 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles · 1,599,545 repaired

Risk. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

41%repaired · 2017 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 15V-313 · May 26, 2015 · 4,077,169 vehicles · 1,644,105 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

75%repaired · 2015 Q2

Driveline: differential unit

Recall 13V-038 · Feb 6, 2013 · 278,674 vehicles · 207,642 repaired

Risk. If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Driveline: differential unit

Recall 12V-474 · Oct 2, 2012 · 44,300 vehicles

Risk. If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other Dakota year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Dakota median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2009 Dodge Dakota safety ratings

2009 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2009 Dodge Dakota frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2009 Dodge Dakota side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 4 stars (17.9% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 Dodge Dakota, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What Dakota owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT ON YOUR VEHICLE MAY LOOSEN DUE TO UNDERSIZED PINION SHAFT SPLINES. A LOOSE PINION NUT COULD CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO SEIZE OR CAUSE THE DRIVE SHAFT TO SEPARATE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. EITHER SITUATION COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
Complaint 10585068 · Apr 26, 2014
SAFETY RECALL N08/NHTSA 13V-038 WAS ANNOUNCED MAY 13 2013. SINCE THAT DAY I HAVE REPEATEDLY CONTACTED THE DEALER,[XXX], REQUESTING THAT THE RECALL REPAIR BE PERFORMED ON MY 2009 DODGE DAKOTA. EVERY TIME I CALL THEY TELL ME THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THEY ALSO TELL ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY…
Complaint 10544446 · Sep 19, 2013 · 50,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE REAR AXLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE BOLT SEPARATION FAILURE AS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE…
Complaint 10537461 · Aug 27, 2013 · 38,000 miles

Own a 2009 Dakota?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.