Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Urgent recall on this model.

At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.

Recalls

7 total · 7 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Do not driveRecall 19V018000 · Jan 2019

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.

Remedy
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.
Status
Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Do not driveRecall 18V021000 · Jan 2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
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.
Status
Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Do not driveRecall 16V352000 · May 2016

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.

Remedy
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.
Status
Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Do not driveRecall 15V313000 · May 2015

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
Status
Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 13V038000 · Feb 2013

If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

Remedy
On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 12V474000 · Oct 2012

If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 12V420000 · Aug 2012

Overheating of the battery separator can result in smoke and possible fire.

Remedy
NBC will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the battery separators free of charge. The safety recall began November 26, 2012. Owners may contact NBC Truck Equipment, Inc. at 1-586-774-4900.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

35 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
8

Most reports here involve transmission slipping.

transmission slipping 2sudden stalling 1
A recent report: REAR PINON SEAL HAS DETERIORATED ALONGSIDE SIMILAR DODGE TRUCKS WITHIN THE SAME YEAR OF MODEL, BUT THE 2010 DODGE DAKOTA IS NOT COVERED AS WELL. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11327551 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
5

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 2corrosion 1
A recent report: Vehicle Has Experienced all Dash waring lights & noises going on and off while driving Threw multiple codes saying the PCM was not connecting with the ODB2 reader , Vehicle would not crank or start 2…
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Vehicle Has Experienced all Dash waring lights & noises going on and off while driving Threw multiple codes saying the PCM was not connecting with the ODB2 reader , Vehicle would not crank or start 2 times did a Hard reset and it started, the end result is all Dash Lights luminated when Key is on , No crank & No communication with the PCM, No Code visible any more I replaced the PCM same issue Now the TIPM which I believe Blew my PCM also at 141,000 miles! Very Dangerous!! A well maintained vehicle should never have Computer Problems at 140,000 , FYI I am a state Licensed auto Mechanic. this Vehicle also had a fuel pump problem 12/21/2011 and was serviced at the dealership , I believe this truck was a "lemon" from that point on. Also, No vehicles should have mother Board computer's managing every system of the vehicle! Dangerous! The Manufactures are Scamming the Consumer. BCM, TCM, PCM ,ECS ,TIPM Are all Scam Engineering By the auto industry, EFI vehicle's only need 1 Computer for the ignition A ECU that's it , the rest of those systems are a Violation of wright to Repair and NHTSA Safety standards. [XXX] the lower Bolt mounting the PCM was so Corroded it broke off in the original PCM on removal. This Vehicle is a lemon . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11726360 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
1

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: THE ROADS WERE SLICK AND I WAS TRAVELING SLOW CAME OVER THE CREST OF A SMALL HILL OVER BYPASS AND HEADED DOWN HILL BRAKING SLOWLY I COULD TELL IT FELT LIKE I WASN'T SLOWING DOWN LIKE I EXPECTED AS I…
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THE ROADS WERE SLICK AND I WAS TRAVELING SLOW CAME OVER THE CREST OF A SMALL HILL OVER BYPASS AND HEADED DOWN HILL BRAKING SLOWLY I COULD TELL IT FELT LIKE I WASN'T SLOWING DOWN LIKE I EXPECTED AS I APPROACHED A VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT,SO I PUMPED THE BRAKES TWICE AND THE ENGINE ROARED AND MY TRUCK RACED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS VERY ANGRY AND WOULDN'T BELIEVE ME WHEN I TRIED TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. HE WOULD NOT EXCHANGE INFORMATION WITH ME. MY FOOT DID NOT SLIP. I CAN'T EVEN GET MY TRUCK TO SURGE FORWARD LIKE THAT IF I HIT THE GAS HARD

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11403175 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
5

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of steering 3premature wear 1corrosion 1
A recent report: WITH ONLY 41750 MILES ON MY 2010 DAKOTA, I WAS BACKING UP A LIGHT TRAILER WHEN SUDDENLY THE REAR TIRES STARTED SPINNING AND IT SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING THE TRUCK/TRAILER FROM MOVING. I…
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WITH ONLY 41750 MILES ON MY 2010 DAKOTA, I WAS BACKING UP A LIGHT TRAILER WHEN SUDDENLY THE REAR TIRES STARTED SPINNING AND IT SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING THE TRUCK/TRAILER FROM MOVING. I WALKED AROUND THE VEHICLE AND SAW NO BLOCKAGES, BUT DID NOTICE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS POINTED LEFT AND THE LEFT FRONT WAS POINTED RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THE LEFT FRONT TIE ROD END 100% SEPARATED AT THE BALL/SOCKET JOINT. THERE WAS NO GREASE, LOTS OF RUST, AND IT WAS DRY AS A BONE IN THE BALL/SOCKET JOINT. THERE WAS NO GREASE FITTING ON THE TIE ROD END. THIS HAPPENED IN MY YARD AT NEAR-ZERO SPEED. HOWEVER THAT LAST THING I DID WITH THIS TRUCK WAS TO TOW A CAMPER TRAILER UP NORTH AND BACK WITH MY FAMILY IN THE TRUCK. I WAS GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLY UNSAFE THING TO HAVE BREAK AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND IT SEEMS OBVIOUS IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE NEXT TRIP HAD IT NOT BROKEN AT MY HOUSE. VERY SCARY, FOR A TRUCK WITH ONLY 41,750 MILES ON IT. IT COST ME $130 IN PARTS ( I REPLACED BOTH) PLUS A FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO REPAIR THIS.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10871720 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
13

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 1electrical shorts 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Dakota. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V021000 (Air Bags) and 15V313000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted for the recall repairs and…
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The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Dakota. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V021000 (Air Bags) and 15V313000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted for the recall repairs and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that it would take a while for the parts to be obtained. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was blinking intermittently. The failure mileage was approximately 49,800.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11725465 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,112 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,942.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10436560 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
2

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: DODGE DOKATA 2010. HEATER RESISTOR OVERHEATS REPEATEDLY. ELECTRICAL SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL REPEATEDLY. VERY HOT TO TOUCH. SO OVERHEATED WIRES AND RESISTOR MELTS. RESISTOR AND WIRES REPLACED NUMEROUS…
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DODGE DOKATA 2010. HEATER RESISTOR OVERHEATS REPEATEDLY. ELECTRICAL SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL REPEATEDLY. VERY HOT TO TOUCH. SO OVERHEATED WIRES AND RESISTOR MELTS. RESISTOR AND WIRES REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. SAME RESULTS. FRONT BALL JOINTS KEEP GOING BAD CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. MANY RESISTOR AND BALL JOINT COMPLANTA ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I FEAR SOMEONE WILL DIE IF THE 2 ISSUES ARE NOT RESOLVED.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11218785 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 35 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 2 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 35 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (44). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.