Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Dakota electrical problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Dodge Dakota in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
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.
Same Dodge Dakota electrical reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
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.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Turn signals are signalling wrong direction or no direction at all. *tr
Had electrical trouble with your 2007 Dodge Dakota?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2007 Dodge Dakota?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 30,000 and 122,000 miles, with the median around 58,142. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 122,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Dodge/Dakota.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.