Should I buy a 2005 Dodge Dakota with documented airbags problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented airbags issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2005 Dodge Dakota airbags problems

severe 137 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100

Complaints

137

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$1,100

Related recalls

critical NHTSA 14V770000 03/12/2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.

severe NHTSA 05V002000 05/01/2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN FASTENERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN IMPROPER SIDE AIR BAG CURTAIN DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN SIDE CRASH CONDITIONS, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE SIDE AIR BAG CURTAIN FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners are reporting 7 most recent

airbags · filed 12/29/2014

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (14V-354) IN THE MAIL IN DECEMBER OF 2014. THIS NOTICE PERTAINED TO MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT CONTAINED FAULTY AIRBAG INFLATORS. ON THIS SAME DATE I CONTACTED CUTTER DODGE IN HONOLULU, HI TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT - I MADE THIS APPOINTMENT VIA THEIR WEBSITE (AND PROVIDED FULL DETAILS OF THE RECALL, ETC.), AS WELL AS OVER THE TELEPHON…

airbags · filed 12/28/2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAI…

airbags · filed 12/28/2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUT…

airbags · filed 12/20/2016

I HAVE BEEN APPOINTED SEVERAL TIMES LISTED FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL DIRECTLY TO FIELD OPERATIONS HEARD THE PROTOCOL AND I UNDERSTAND I CAN USE MY AUTO RESQUESTING FOR AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN I JUST RECEIVE A APOLOGY NOTE,,,DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I KEEP RECEIVING THESE RECALL WITH OUT NO PROTOCOL FOR THE DEALER TO TAKE ACTION? *TR

airbags · filed 12/17/2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVA…

airbags · filed 12/16/2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUT…

airbags · filed 12/16/2005

SINCE PURCHASING MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN FEB. OF '05, I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS UP INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER CHECKED THE "CODES" AND FOUND NOTHING THAT INDICATED A CIRCUIT PROBLEM, SO THEY DONE NOTHING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. TWO DAYS AFTER THE SERVIC…

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2005 Dodge Dakota?

It's a meaningful issue. 137 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.