The 2007 Dakota electrical system shows a dominant and recurring failure: the multifunction switch (Dodge part 56049823AB) failing intermittently or completely, disabling turn signals, windshield wipers, high beams, and washers. One owner experienced failure at 23,125 miles (replaced under warranty in May 2007), then again at 35,242 miles (2015, out of warranty, $125.95 repair). Owners report the replacement switch itself sometimes fails within two weeks. The consequences are serious: wipers and turn signals fail simultaneously in rain, drivers cannot signal direction, and one owner's turn signals activated the opposite direction from lever selection—dangerously misleading approaching traffic.
Beyond the multifunction switch, owners report engine stalling without warning at highway speed (two cases around 137,000 and 156,937 miles), one case where the vehicle would not start after airbag recall service with a burning smell near the airbag, and one case where activating the left turn signal caused the computer to shut down and transmission to lose power. One owner's vehicle sat at the dealer for over 30 days waiting for parts availability. One isolated rapid-blinking turn signal complaint in 2010 did not replicate and may have been a bulb issue.
Failure modes owners describe
Multifunction switch intermittent/catastrophic failure
The multifunction switch (part 56049823AB) fails intermittently or completely, disabling turn signals, windshield wipers, high beams, and windshield washers. Owners report the switch failing multiple times over the vehicle's life, with replacements sometimes lasting only weeks before failing again.
When: 23,125 miles (first occurrence in May 2007), 35,242 miles (recurrence Jan 2015), also reported at 122,000 miles and intermittently throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signals fail to operate; Windshield wipers stop working simultaneously with turn signal failure; Left turn signal produces right flash and vice versa; High beams inoperable; Windshield washers inoperable; All functions work intermittently or fail without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Multifunction switch replacement; part 56049823AB. First replacement under warranty (May 2007). Subsequent replacements at owner expense ($125.95 cited for 2015 replacement). One owner reports replacement switch was itself defective and required replacement again within 2 weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First failure covered under 3-year warranty (May 2007). Subsequent failures not covered. Dodge service manager acknowledged the part as the problem but denied warranty coverage after 3 years.
Engine stalling without warning
Engine stalls unexpectedly while driving at highway speed. Vehicle restarts but failure recurs repeatedly. One case reports ignition switch replacement resolved the issue; another case was not diagnosed or repaired and VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign 14V795000.
When: Approximately 137,000 miles (one case); 156,937 miles (another case)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving; Occurs at highway speeds (55–70 mph); Vehicle able to restart but stalls recur
Repairs/costs cited: One case: ignition switch replacement performed by independent mechanic. Other case: no diagnosis or repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case: VIN not included in NHTSA campaign 14V795000 (electrical system).
Vehicle fails to start; battery/electrical malfunction post-airbag recall
Following airbag recall repair performed by dealer technician at owner's residence, vehicle became inoperable with no-start condition. Burning odor observed near airbag area and battery warning light illuminated. Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by dealer.
When: Timing not specified; mileage not available
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; Burning odor from airbag area; Battery warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but no corrective action documented.
Turn signal activates incorrect direction or does not activate
Turn signals flash the opposite direction from what the lever selects, or fail to activate at all. Owners report activating left signal produces right flash, and vice versa. Can occur intermittently or as a consistent fault, creating hazardous situations where approaching drivers misinterpret turn intent.
When: May 2010 and later; intermittent throughout vehicle operation
Symptoms owners cite: Left turn signal lever produces right signal flash; Right turn signal lever produces left signal flash or no flash; Intermittent activation; Rapid blinking as if bulb is blown when bulb is intact
Repairs/costs cited: Multifunction switch replacement resolves the issue. One case of rapid blinking in May 2010 appears isolated and did not replicate.
Loss of transmission power linked to turn signal failure
Activating left turn signal caused total vehicle electrical failure: computer shut down, power removed from transmission, instrument panel lost power. Check engine light illuminated with shift indication error. Multifunction switch replacement restored function.
When: No mileage or timing specified
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal activation triggers computer shutdown; Transmission loses power; Instrument panel loses power; Check engine light illuminated; Error code indicates bad shift indication
Codes mentioned: Bad shift indication (error code displayed but specific code not stated)
Repairs/costs cited: Multifunction switch replacement resolved issue.
Vehicle unable to start; defective part unavailable
Vehicle would not start. Dealer unable to locate defective part for over 30 days, causing extended downtime.
When: No mileage or timing specified
Symptoms owners cite: No-start condition
Repairs/costs cited: Defective part could not be sourced; vehicle remained at dealer for 30+ days.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.