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ProblemsByVinFile / 2011-DODGE-DAKOTANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Dodge
2011 Dodge Dakota problems
The 2011 Dodge Dakota has 4 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 44 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2011 Dodge Dakota has 44 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 17 complaints, typically surfacing around 65,582 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
4
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 Dakota?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average
6 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 2011 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 — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 65,582 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
powertrain — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,166 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 115,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
brakes — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 21,348 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 65,582 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 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
2011 Dakota· airbags
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 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…
Case nunber:[xxx]. I contacted you 12/04/15 concerning brakes on this truck and I also told you that every time I would try an discuss this issue with efird Chrysler florence, sc they would tell me the brakes are antilock system and it was normal for them to make noise when…
Case number: [xxx] /this truck has never stopped safely since I purchased it new (02-07-2011/ mileage now 28455). When you have to make an emergency stop it might or might not bring it to a stop. Last week my wife and I tried to avoid a collision when a car made a quick turn in…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge dakota. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags) was received in june of 2015. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts…
Had a problem with your 2011 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) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U
An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 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 2011 Dodge Dakota?
The 2011 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 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 6 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 2011 Dodge Dakota?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 17 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,582 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 2011 Dodge Dakota a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 44 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 65,582 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 2011 Dodge Dakota?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 17 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,582 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 65,582 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 2011 Dodge Dakota?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 44 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/2011/Dodge/Dakota.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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