Plate - Planetary
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Dodge Dakota powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2009 Dodge Dakota have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Dakota | 69 |
| 2006 Dakota | 26 |
| 2007 Dakota | 23 |
| 2008 Dakota | 6 |
| 2009 Dakota (this page) | 6 |
| 2011 Dakota | 8 |
When does it fail?
Of the 6 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Dodge Dakota, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) 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.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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 no idea when they will get the parts. It is unacceptable that four months after a recall is announced the dealer and the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge dakota. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number 13v038000 (power train) had exceeded a reasonable time for repair. The rear axle began to experience the bolt separation failure as listed in the recall. The manufacturer advised that the part was not available for repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge dakota. The contact stated that there was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 13v038000 (power train) and the part remained unavailable since april of 2013. The dealer was unable to provide an expected date for the remedy part to become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The contact had not experienced any failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge dakota. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13v038000 (power train) but was advised by the manufacturer that the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. The approximate current mileage was 37,000. *tr
Veh RPM started to go up on its own .I stopped vehicle put transmission in neutral and engine would rev up from 1400 RPM to 2400 RPM every 2 seconds I turned veh off and restarted and engine stayed at 2400 RPM and would not come down to a normal idle speed. Was able to drive veh home. This has happened four separate times with same results. *tr
The rear axle pinion nut on your vehicle may loosen due to undersized pinion shaft splines. A loose pinion nut could cause the rear axle to seize or cause the drive shaft to separate resulting in a loss of motive power. Either situation could cause a crash without warning. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Dodge Dakota?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 52,182 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2009/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.