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. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,437 AND THE FAILUR…
2008 Dodge Dakota lighting problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$250
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 COLUMN. THIS SITUATION IS FAR MORE DANGEROUS THAN A SITUATION WHERE THE EXTERIOR LAMPS ARE NOT WORKING. BECAUSE THE…
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2008 Dodge Dakota?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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