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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2005 Chrysler Crossfire vs 2005 Dodge Dakota

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2005 Chrysler Crossfire edges this one on reliability data

Reliability data favors the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire (3.5 versus 3.0). These vehicles aren't a typical head-to-head comparison, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

More reliable

2005 Chrysler Crossfire

3.5/5
Reliability score
434 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$10,900 repair exposure
vs

2005 Dodge Dakota

3.0/5
Reliability score
470 complaints
3 recalls (1 critical)
$13,050 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2005 Chrysler Crossfire edges this comparison on reliability data (3.5 versus 3.0). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

If you lean 2005 Chrysler Crossfire, know what you're getting into on visibility and body. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2005 Dodge Dakota sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2005 Dodge Dakota? Watch the airbags and powertrain. The 2005 Chrysler Crossfire has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

On the dollars-and-cents side, total repair exposure across the top problem areas runs 1.2x higher on the 2005 Dodge Dakota. That's the number to keep in mind when you're pricing the deal — a $2,000 difference in purchase price disappears the first time you're staring at a transmission rebuild.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2005 Chrysler Crossfire
2005 Dodge Dakota
visibility
189 reports
moderate · ~$350
No reports
airbags
4 reports
severe · ~$1,100
137 reports
severe · ~$1,100
body
91 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
6 reports
severe · ~$1,500
electrical
54 reports
moderate · ~$850
24 reports
severe · ~$850
powertrain
6 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
69 reports
severe · ~$2,500
brakes
No reports
72 reports
severe · ~$450
steering
7 reports
moderate · ~$700
47 reports
severe · ~$700
suspension
No reports
36 reports
severe · ~$900
engine
8 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
17 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
lighting
5 reports
moderate · ~$250
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire or the 2005 Dodge Dakota?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.5 versus 3.0. The margin is clear, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire?

Compared to the 2005 Dodge Dakota, the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire sees more reported issues in visibility and body. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2005 Dodge Dakota?

Compared to the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire, the 2005 Dodge Dakota has more complaints in airbags and powertrain. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2005 Dodge Dakota has more active recalls (3 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $13,050 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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