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ProblemsByVinFile / 2008-DODGE-DAKOTANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Dodge
2008 Dodge Dakota problems
The 2008 Dodge Dakota has 2 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 91 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2008 Dodge Dakota has 91 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 28 complaints, typically surfacing around 39,000 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
2
Critical
0
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 Dakota?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Dodge Dakota? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 28 owner reports
· tends to show around 39,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
steering — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 58,553 mi · ~$700 to fix
brakes — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,036 mi · ~$450 to fix
electrical — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 75,597 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 39,000 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2008 Dakota· steering
My husband was driving his 08 Dodge dakota less than 2 miles from our home. We live in a very rural area. He was not going more than 35-40 MPH. He lost control of the vehicle due to an incredible amount of shaking in the front end of the truck. Luckily, he was close to a…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge dakota. The contact stated that when engaging the left turn signal, the right turn signal would activate and if he engaged the right turn signal, the left turn signal would activate. The dealer advised the contact to replace the turn switch.…
Turn signal activates the wrong indicator. When the turn signal is set to a left turn, the right turn indicators flash, both on the dashboard and on the exterior signal lamps. From a web search, this is a relatively common problem stemming from a faulty switch in the steering…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge dakota. While driving 20 MPH, the brakes were dragging and caused the vehicle to bounce. The contact stated that the calipers were sticking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was…
Had a problem with your 2008 Dodge Dakota?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Dodge Dakota has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2008 Dodge Dakota?
The 2008 Dodge Dakota is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Dodge Dakota?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 28 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Dodge Dakota a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 91 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 39,000 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Dodge Dakota?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 28 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 39,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Dakota has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Dodge Dakota?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 91 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Dodge/Dakota.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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