{"id":45800,"date":"2021-11-09T01:25:16","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T09:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=45800"},"modified":"2025-04-21T20:26:42","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T03:26:42","slug":"dodge-dakota-reliability-and-common-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/dodge-dakota-reliability-and-common-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Dodge Dakota Reliability and Common Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column45800_002765-1c > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column45800_002765-1c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column45800_002765-1c > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column45800_002765-1c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column45800_002765-1c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column45800_002765-1c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column45800_002765-1c{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column45800_002765-1c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column45800_002765-1c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column45800_002765-1c inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-c66f21  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-cf7f1b\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45800_17a894-1d\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Dodge Dakota is a reliable pickup truck with a 3.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating from RepairPal.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>US News &amp; World Report ranked the 2010 Dodge Dakota 2nd out of 10 best 2010 compact pickup trucks, with a rating of 8.6 out of 10.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some of the top Dodge Dakota problems include intermediate steering shaft noises, damaged exhaust manifold bolts, and upper ball joint failure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>When you&rsquo;re in the market for a reliable pickup truck, you can&rsquo;t go wrong with a Dodge Dakota.&nbsp; All of its model years have something great to offer, from advanced safety features and superb fuel efficiency to great steering and excellent engine performance. Its resale value is also good, only depreciating by 12% in five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are Dodge Dakotas Reliable?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Dodge Dakota enjoys above-average reliability ratings, with some model years scoring better than others. <a href=\"https:\/\/repairpal.com\/dodge\/dakota\/car_reviews#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"RepairPal\">RepairPal<\/a> gave it a rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, ranking it 19th out of 32 compact pickup trucks in its category. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cars.com\/research\/dodge-dakota-2000\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"Cars.com\">Cars.com<\/a> rated the 2000 Dodge Dakota a 4.4 out of 5.0. Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/cars.usnews.com\/cars-trucks\/dodge\/dakota\/2010\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"US News &amp; World Report\">US News &amp; World Report<\/a> ranked the 2010 Dodge Dakota 2nd out of 10 best 2010 compact pickup trucks, giving it a rating of 8.6 out of 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With these figures, it&rsquo;s apparent that with careful handling and regular maintenance, the Dodge Dakota can easily enjoy a long service life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">First gen Dodge Dakota! Longbed! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vgprx7arPO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"pic.twitter.com\/vgprx7arPO\">pic.twitter.com\/vgprx7arPO<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Doug&rsquo;s Cars &#128665;&#128010; (@dougs_cars) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dougs_cars\/status\/1456734319364517903?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"November 5, 2021\">November 5, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re only looking for a Dodge Dakota now, you&rsquo;ll notice that the latest model year you&rsquo;ll find is from 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Dakotas are reliable workhorses, Chrysler ultimately decided to stop its production in 2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although there aren&rsquo;t any official statements from the automaker, the dwindling popularity of mid-size pickups might be to blame for the model&rsquo;s discontinuation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, between 2000 and 2010, sales for the Dodge Dakota dropped by as much as 90%. Meanwhile, full-size pickups saw a steady rise in sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Dodge Dakota Problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the Dodge Dakota is one dependable compact pickup truck, it still has its fair share of problems. Here are the most commonly reported issues for different model years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intermediate Steering Shaft Noises<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many owners of the 2006 Dodge Dakota have complained about odd noises coming from their vehicle&rsquo;s intermediate steering shaft. They say that their truck would steer in increments rather than smoothly. When braking, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/popping-noise-when-turning-common-causes-diagnosis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"turning\">turning<\/a>, or rolling over bumps, the steering wheel would clunk or pop. In some cases, there was excessive play in the steering wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To fix this problem, the upper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/intermediate-shaft\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"intermediate shaft\">intermediate shaft<\/a> may need to be replaced completely. As of this writing, Dodge has not issued any recalls to address this problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Damaged Exhaust Manifold Bolts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to owners of the 2006 Dodge Dakota, odd noises from the exhaust manifold during start-up are typical for some units of this model year. These ticking noises were more commonly observed during the colder months of the year. This symptom may also be accompanied by an illuminated check engine light and engine stall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"505\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2006-Dodge-Dakota-ST-Wikimedia-1024x505.jpg\" alt=\"2006 Dodge Dakota ST Wikimedia\" class=\"wp-image-45862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2006-Dodge-Dakota-ST-Wikimedia-1024x505.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2006-Dodge-Dakota-ST-Wikimedia-300x148.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2006-Dodge-Dakota-ST-Wikimedia-768x379.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2006-Dodge-Dakota-ST-Wikimedia-1536x758.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2006-Dodge-Dakota-ST-Wikimedia-150x74.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2006-Dodge-Dakota-ST-Wikimedia.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Odd noises from the exhaust manifold during start-up are typical for some units of the 2006 Dodge Dakota. Image source: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:2006_Dodge_Dakota_ST,_Front_Right,_09-07-2021.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"Wikimedia\">Wikimedia<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon inspection, they determined that their exhaust manifold bolts were severely corroded or were completely broken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Upper Ball Joint Failure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Upper ball joint failure is among the most frequently reported 2003 Dodge Dakota problems. Many owners have complained of clunking noises and jolts from the front driver&rsquo;s side when turning their vehicle. Upon inspection, they discovered that their upper and lower ball joints were leaking grease. Aside from producing odd noises, faulty or worn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/ball-joint\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"ball joints\">ball joints<\/a> may make your steering feel clunky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The upper ball joints on a 2003 Dakota may fail due to moisture damage. Dodge has issued a recall to address upper ball joint failure in its 2000-2001 models but has yet to issue one for other model years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brake Cylinder Lock-Up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to owners of the 2002 Dodge Dakota, problems with its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/brake-master-cylinder\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"brake cylinder\">brake cylinder<\/a> are common for some units of this model year. Their front brakes would overheat, lock up randomly, and their vehicle would pull to one side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"article-search-widget\">\n<div class=\"cp-search\">\n<div align=\"center\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/w_auto,dpr_auto\/carparts\/logos\/badge_wordmark\/full_color\/CP_LOGO_COLOUR_RGB\" alt=\"CarParts.com\" width=\"300\" height=\"56\">\n<\/div>\n<form id=\"cpsearchform\" name=\"cpsearchform\" action=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/search\" method=\"get\" target=\"_blank\" accept-charset=\"character_set\" aria-label=\"search CarParts.com\">\n    <input type=\"text\" class=\"keyword\" name=\"q\" placeholder=\"Search for parts on CarParts.com\" value=\"\" aria-label=\"Search CarParts.com\"><input type=\"submit\" class=\"btn-search\" value=\"Search\" aria-label=\"Search\">\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In some cases, they also noticed smoke from the front tires caused by overheated and cracked brake pads. Aside from replacing their brake pads, other drivers had to replace their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/warped-rotor-symptoms-plus-faq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"warped rotors\">warped rotors<\/a>, brake hoses, and calipers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although there have been many complaints about this particular problem, Dodge has not issued a recall to address them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Coolant Loss and Engine Overheating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Coolant loss and engine overheating are some of the most commonly reported 2001 Dodge Dakota problems. According to many owners, their pickup truck would leak antifreeze, causing the engine to overheat frequently, even in cool weather. They would hear a knocking sound and notice steam coming from their grille as their engine began to overheat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2001-Dodge-Dakota-Sport-Wikimedia-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"2001 Dodge Dakota Sport Wikimedia\" class=\"wp-image-45863\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2001-Dodge-Dakota-Sport-Wikimedia-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2001-Dodge-Dakota-Sport-Wikimedia-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2001-Dodge-Dakota-Sport-Wikimedia-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2001-Dodge-Dakota-Sport-Wikimedia-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2001-Dodge-Dakota-Sport-Wikimedia-928x696.jpg 928w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2001-Dodge-Dakota-Sport-Wikimedia-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2001-Dodge-Dakota-Sport-Wikimedia.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Coolant loss and engine overheating are some of the most commonly reported 2001 Dodge Dakota problems. Image source: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:2001_Dodge_Dakota_Sport_4-door_pickup_--_NHTSA_01.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"Wikimedia\">Wikimedia<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/coolant-leak-symptoms-plus-faq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Coolant leaks\">Coolant leaks<\/a> are commonly caused by worn gaskets around the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/thermostat-housing\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"thermostat housing\">thermostat housing<\/a>, water pump, intake manifold, and timing cover. Your truck&rsquo;s warranty may cover the repairs needed to fix this problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engine Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many owners of the 1999 Dodge Dakota reported a wide variety of engine problems affecting their trucks. Some noted that their truck kept randomly shutting off while driving or when it got hot. In some cases, the vehicle would crank up and run after cooling down. These things often happened with no warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon inspection by the dealer, they found out that an intermittent connection with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/crankshaft-position-sensor\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"crank position sensor\">crank position sensor<\/a> wire connector was contributing to their vehicle&rsquo;s reduced engine performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oil Leaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to owners of the 1997 Dodge Dakota, oil leaks are common for some units of this model year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How To Find Engine Oil Leaks In Your Car ~ Fast and Easy\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e0EtW6yxKb8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaks typically develop around the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/valve-cover\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"valve cover\">valve cover<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/intake-manifold\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"intake manifold\">intake manifold<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/timing-cover\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"timing cover\">timing cover<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/distributor-o-ring\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"distributor O-ring\">distributor O-ring<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/rear-main-seal\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"rear main seal\">rear main seal<\/a>. Using fluorescent engine oil dye can help determine where the leak is while replacing the gasket should stop it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re in the market for a Dodge Dakota, be prepared to embrace the good and the potential bad. As long as you know the common issues with the specific model year you&rsquo;re planning to get, buying this compact pickup truck should come with little risk. By doing your research, you can make sure that the seller has cleared everything before taking your pre-owned Dodge Dakota home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dodge Dakota Years to Avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Dodge Dakotas you should avoid are the 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2006 models. These are deemed problematic and aren&rsquo;t worth the investment because of the following issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engine Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Engine problems were one of the many issues that plagued these models, specifically the 2000 and 2006 models. Owners reportedly experienced loss of oil pressure because of oil sludge, fluctuating idle, and misfires on the same cylinder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Needless to say, engine repair can be costly as it holds all the power necessary to help your car function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brake Troubles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These models also had problems with the braking system, especially the 2002 and 2005 model years. Close to 70 owners reported concerns with the braking system, specifically trouble with brake cylinder locking up, hot brakes, and brake locking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it may not cost as much as engine repair, brake repairs can set you back by as much as $800, depending on the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Body\/Paint Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, these models were notorious for having paint issues. Paint may quickly fade on top of the roof and the vehicle&rsquo;s clear coat tends to oxidize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it&rsquo;s easy to think these are aesthetic-related problems, paint issues could lead to rust buildup on your vehicle. Once rust holes have formed on key body components, they can affect the structural integrity of your Dakota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Find Dodge Dakota Parts for Your Ride<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re looking for new Dodge Dakota parts to get your vehicle back on the road, we&rsquo;ve got you covered. Here at <a href=\"http:\/\/carparts.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"CarParts.com\">CarParts.com<\/a>, we have a selection of Dodge parts sourced from the best brands in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have a team of industry veterans that handpicks all our products, so you don&rsquo;t have to worry about quality and functionality. What&rsquo;s more, all our products are sold at unbeatable prices. You won&rsquo;t have to break the bank just to get top-notch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/dodge\/dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Dodge Dakota parts\">Dodge Dakota parts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Need your parts as soon as possible? You don&rsquo;t have to worry. Order now, and expect them to be delivered straight to your doorstep in a few business days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our team is available 24\/7 via our toll-free hotline in case you have questions about your order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look at our selection now, and order your Dodge Dakota parts today!<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>When you&rsquo;re in the market for a reliable pickup truck, you can&rsquo;t go wrong with a Dodge Dakota.&nbsp; All of&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/dodge-dakota-reliability-and-common-problems\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":45864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3862,2905],"tags":[1966],"ppma_author":[2607],"class_list":{"0":"post-45800","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dodge","8":"category-vehicle-reliability","9":"tag-dodge-dakota","10":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Dodge Dakota Reliability and Common Problems - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is a Dodge Dakota your best bet at getting a reliable mid-size pickup? This article gives you straight answers.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/dodge-dakota-reliability-and-common-problems\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Dodge Dakota Reliability and Common Problems - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Is a Dodge Dakota your best bet at getting a reliable mid-size pickup? 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