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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Dakota powertrain problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 23 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Dodge Dakota, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Dodge Dakota in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to T-Case. Please reference Star Online publication S2121000003 for further details. Do not have the transfer case in in another position other than AWD/2WD and rotate the motor to align the bolt holes as this could result in damage to the gear motor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 Dodge Dakotas describe a range of powertrain malfunctions. Most common is engine surging during light-throttle cruising at 35–50 mph—the vehicle bucks repeatedly, and the only way to stop it is to accelerate harder, creating a hazard in traffic. Chrysler engineering told one owner there is no fix and suggested the owner just accelerate quicker in that speed range.
Transmission problems are widespread. Owners report loud bangs or grinding noises when shifting, hesitation or refusal to engage, and feeling as if someone hit the brakes while they were on the gas. Some transmissions get stuck in second gear or won't go into Reverse. One owner described the transmission going "haywire," bouncing between Drive, Neutral, and Reverse. Dealers often claim this behavior is normal and refuse to run diagnostics.
At highway speeds (34–70 mph), the truck shudders and vibrates violently as if driving over a rumble strip, sometimes losing power for a couple of miles before recovering. Owners cite two Technical Service Bulletins but no recall.
A critical safety issue: several vehicles have rolled backward away from Park on inclined driveways, striking obstacles and injuring owners who were near the vehicles. 4WD mode engages randomly without driver input, especially at highway speed, causing sudden loss of control and tight, unresponsive steering. Dealers often cannot duplicate intermittent problems and no error codes appear, leaving owners without recourse. Manufacturer has declined warranty coverage in many cases and refused to authorize repairs even when aware of the failures.
Same Dodge Dakota powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Engine surge/bucking at 35–45 mph cruising
Engine surges or bucks repeatedly during light-throttle city driving in the 35–45 mph range. Only remedy reported by owners is to accelerate harder, which creates a safety hazard in traffic. Dealership and Chrysler engineering stated there is no fix; engineering suggested owners work around it by accelerating quicker in that speed range.
When: Within days of purchase; occurs consistently during city cruising
Symptoms owners cite: Engine surge when cruising at 35–45 mph; Requires harder acceleration to stop surging; Intermittent or repeated surging in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership stated no fix available; Chrysler engineering provided no solution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler engineering confirmed no fix exists; suggested workaround of accelerating quicker
Vehicle rolling away from Park on incline
Vehicles left in Park have rolled backward on slightly inclined driveways or during parking. In at least two incidents, owners were struck or dragged by the rolling vehicle, resulting in injuries. One owner's reenactment showed vehicle in Reverse drifted immediately but vehicle in Drive did not, suggesting a shifter or transmission engagement issue in Park.
When: Various mileages (5,400 miles, 111,850 miles) during parking or idle
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward while in Park; No warning before rolling; Owner struck or dragged by rolling vehicle; Vehicle came to rest after striking obstacle
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; one inspection by manufacturer stated no defect found despite incident
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Daimler Chrysler inspector stated no manufacturer defect would cause transmission or shifter problems; dealer attributed failure to vehicle idling
Transmission hesitation, bang/grind, and delayed engagement
Automatic transmission produces loud bang or grind noise, especially when shifting from Park to Reverse or Reverse to Park. Transmission hesitates or delays engaging in gear, does not shift smoothly, or gets stuck between gears. Dealers have reported this is normal and refused diagnostics. Some complaints note transmission refuses to shift out of 2nd gear or will not go in Reverse.
When: Early in ownership (16,500 miles reported on one); occurs consistently or intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Loud bang or grinding noise when shifting; Transmission hesitates or delays engaging; Rough or jerky shifts; Transmission stuck in gear (2nd gear, unable to shift to Drive or Reverse); Will not go into Reverse
Repairs/costs cited: One owner required PCM flash software update, paid out-of-pocket; most dealers refused diagnostics claiming behavior is normal
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers stated hesitation and noise are normal; manufacturer offered warranty coverage but no technical solution in some cases; one owner's claim filed with manufacturer
Transmission shuddering, vibration, and rumble at 34–50 mph
At highway and city speeds of 34–50 mph, transmission shudders, vibrates violently, and produces a rumble-strip sound. Owner's research indicates torque converter lockup range starts at too low RPM, causing engine and torque converter to desynchronize. Symptoms began early in ownership and escalated. Two Technical Service Bulletins reportedly exist on this issue.
When: 71,100–71,500 miles on one vehicle; 39,000 miles on another; early in ownership for some
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering and violent vibration at 34–50 mph; Rumble-strip sound during cruising; Power loss on interstate at 65–70 mph; Shaking followed by loss of power for 1–2 miles, then recovery
Repairs/costs cited: Potential remedies: PCM flash reprogramming, torque converter replacement, transmission replacement; not completed by all owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate in some cases; two TSBs known to exist; no recall issued
Intermittent transmission quirks and unexplained braking sensation
Transmission responds unpredictably when shifting into Reverse or Drive. Owners report feeling as if someone stomped the brake pedal while accelerating, with no foot-brake input. No diagnostic codes stored; dealers unable to duplicate. Manufacturer stated no codes mean no problem and suggested purchasing extended warranty when factory coverage expires.
When: Intermittent, occurs multiple times over ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Quirky or unpredictable transmission response when shifting; Sudden strong braking sensation during acceleration without brake input; No warning or pattern to failures
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; dealers could not duplicate
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no stored codes and directed owner to purchase additional warranty after factory coverage expires
Random 4WD engagement and transfer case seal erosion
4WD mode engages spontaneously without driver input, sometimes at highway speeds, causing momentary loss of vehicle control. When 4WD engages, steering becomes tight and handling is severely limited. In one case, transfer case seal eroded, causing transmission fluid leak and differential lockup. Owner reports hundreds of similar complaints online.
When: Various mileages; can occur at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: 4WD mode engages without warning; Momentary loss of control when 4WD engages; Tight steering and handling limitations in 4WD mode; Transfer case seal erosion and fluid leak; Differential locks up when 4WD activated
Repairs/costs cited: Transfer case and differential fluid leak; lockup when 4WD activated; no repairs completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no assistance available; owner claimed awareness of failure but refused repair authorization
Forward lurch at cold start and stalling
After cold start and warmup, vehicle lurches forward at traffic lights, sometimes followed by stall. Occurred repeatedly over a month. Dealership corrected with PCM flash software update at owner's expense despite vehicle being under powertrain warranty.
When: Early in ownership; repeated over one month
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches forward after cold start at stoplight; Engine stalls after lurch; Repeated occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: PCM flash software update by dealership; owner charged despite warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership performed PCM update; manufacturer did not cover repair despite active powertrain warranty
Shift interlock failure (changing gears without brake pedal engagement)
Vehicle allows driver to shift gears without depressing the brake pedal, a critical safety defect that bypasses shift interlock protection. Manufacturer was made aware but offered no assistance.
When: At 83,092 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Can shift out of Park without brake pedal engaged; Safety interlock mechanism not functioning
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered no assistance; vehicle not included in any recall
Transmission stuck in low gear and unable to shift
Transmission refuses to shift past first gear or gets stuck in second gear, forcing vehicles to very low speeds. In one case, owner could not exceed 20 mph; in another, maximum speed was 55 mph. Dealer stated manufacturer was aware of failure but no remedy available.
When: Early in ownership (15,109 miles and 36,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stuck in first or second gear; Cannot shift to higher gears; Severe speed limitation (20–55 mph maximum)
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer stated no remedy available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated manufacturer aware of failure but no remedy available; no recall issued
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
After cold start and normal warm up, truck lurched forward at a stoplight, then stalled. Happened several times over the previous month, without stalling. If I had been in a left turn lane at a traffic light, results could have been deadly. Dealership correction was a PCM flash software update, at my expense. This should be a safety issue and covered by the manufacturer. The truck is still under…
Driving on freeway and and vehicle goes in to 4lo by itself. When vehicle is parked and turned off you can hear 4wd engaging by itself.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Dodge dakota. The contact stated she could change gears with out engaging the brakes. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 83,092.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2007 Dodge Dakota?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 16,450 and 82,000 miles, with the median around 42,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,450; a quarter make it past 82,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.