2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
17 combined · 15 city / 20 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup is a standard pickup truck offered with 2 engines (3.7L 6-cyl and 4.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 20 highway), 2% better than the 2005 standard pickup truck average of 16.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Dakota Pickup 2WD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17+2%$3,950523
Dakota Pickup 2WD3.7L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-4%$4,200555
Dakota Pickup 4WD3.7L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 16+3%$4,200555
Dakota Pickup 2WD4.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15-10%$4,450592
Dakota Pickup 4WD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15-4%$4,450592
Dakota Pickup 2WD4.7L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 19 / 15-10%$4,450592
Dakota Pickup 4WD4.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 15-4%$4,450592
Dakota Pickup 4WD4.7L 8-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-4%$4,450592
Spend $7,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
16.6 MPG2005 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup (this car)17 MPGNot rated4
2005 Ford F-15015 MPGNot rated1
2005 Chevrolet Silverado17 MPGNot rated0
2005 Toyota Tacoma21 MPGNot rated5
2005 Toyota Tundra18 MPGNot rated8
2005 Chevrolet Colorado21 MPGNot rated1
2005 GMC Canyon21 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (4)

Safety advisory: 2 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Dec 20, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V820000 · 16,900 vehicles

Problem
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks equipped with heated seats. These driver and passenger seats may develop hot spots that can result in the seat cushion or seat back having burn holes.
Risk
The hot spots and burn holes can injure the seat occupant and can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the seat heating system control features, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T80.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 24, 2016 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 26, 2015 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 15V313000 · 4,077,169 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags · Dec 3, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V770000 · 250,896 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

223Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
11Involved a crash
13Involved a fire
7Injuries reported
100,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags125
Power Train39
Electrical System18
Seats16
Engine11
Service Brakes8
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler7
Suspension7
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/06: 118/08: 118/09: 218/10: 418/11: 218/12: 219/01: 419/02: 119/03: 119/06: 119/07: 119/08: 319/10: 220/01: 120/02: 120/03: 120/06: 121/02: 221/03: 121/04: 122/03: 123/04: 126/02: 126/03: 118/0618/1019/0119/0619/1020/0321/0323/04max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Air Bags — 125 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Power Train — 39 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Electrical System — 18 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Dakota Pickup years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2011 Dakota Pickup17–Not rated629
2010 Dakota Pickup17–Not rated724
2009 Dakota Pickup18–Not rated58
2008 Dakota Pickup18–Not rated251
2007 Dakota Pickup17–Not rated376
2006 Dakota Pickup17–Not rated3167

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →