2009 Dodge Dakota problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 18 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2009 Dodge Dakota has 18 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 52,182 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Dakota | 284 | 1 |
| 2007 Dakota | 144 | 0 |
| 2008 Dakota | 91 | 0 |
| 2009 Dakota (this page) | 18 | 0 |
| 2010 Dakota | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 Dakota | 44 | 3 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
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 2009 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
- powertrain — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 52,182 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 32,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- electrical — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 82,641 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 32,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Dodge Dakota
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Dodge dakota. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge dakota. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
After starting the Dakota, I pushed on the brake pedal so I could put the automatic transmission in Drive. My foot went all the way to the floor. I tried again with the same result. I checked the brake fluid reservoir. It was a bit low, but not empty. When the tow truck…
Safety recall n08/NHTSA 13v-038 was announced may 13 2013. Since that day I have repeatedly contacted the dealer,[xxx], requesting that the recall repair be performed on my 2009 Dodge dakota. Every time I call they tell me they do not have the parts. They also tell me they have…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2009 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Dodge Dakota is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Dodge Dakota?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Dodge Dakota does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. 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 2009 Dodge Dakota?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,182 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 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 2009 Dodge Dakota a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 18 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 52,182 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 2009 Dodge Dakota?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,182 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 52,182 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 2009 Dodge Dakota?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 18 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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.