Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
15 -16 City / 19 -20 HWY
Horsepower
210 -230
Seats
5 -6
Front angle medium view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Brenda G
It's a very reliable vehicle and great for the price!
I like that it is a 4 wheel drive truck that can hold our family of 5 comfortably.
accountCircle Richard G
2005 Dodge Dakota crew cab slt v8 4. 7l.
Great truck, very dependable, I have owned it for 11 years has 118000 miles and still running strong, the overall quality of ride could be better, the interior could use an upgrade in features, and material, overall I am very satisfied with the truck and would recommend it for purchase.
accountCircle scott g
It loves to drive on highways,freeways.. Good trip truck
I love my truck. Love the color. Love the v6 for gas mileage
accountCircle Jacob C
It sits high enough that you can see the road and other vehicles well.
The Dodge Dakota gets great gas mileage and runs smoother than most other vehicles I have ridden in. It has had a problem with the air conditioner not holding Freon properly. It had a recall on the ignition switch. No other problems really. It is a great buy and has plenty of room. The bed is kind of small but it suits it is purpose. The motor and transmission have had no problems.
accountCircle Dawn G
That is reliable and comfortable and has 4x4.
Very reliable rides comfortable and the bed u can haul things in. Automatic is a good thing to have towing package is a good thing too.
accountCircle Mary D
Affordable, reliable and nice to look at.
The transmission went out after 9 years but other than that I never have any problems this truck is 15 years old and has been all over Texas, Arkansas and some other states and no problems it is very comfortable and very reliable I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new truck.
accountCircle Cathy S
Runs good and rides good for a truck.
I like it being a truck, having a v8, and mechanically sound. I wish I would've gotten one with bigger back seats and a shorter bed.
accountCircle Lauren W
It has 4 wheel drive accessibility.
I like the size of the truck. Big enough to feel safe in snow but small enough to not feel overwhelmed.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Jesse r
DO NOT BUY A DODGE DAKOTA, it WILL be the WORST truck you EVER BUY
I purchased the truck about 14 months ago. I paid $4500 for it, in the year since, I have had to invest around a thousand dollars a month into the truck, now it will not pass nys emissions inspection, and i am having a hard time selling the truck even with 119,x*x original miles and a brand new transmission with less than 10k miles on it
accountCircle Danielle T
There is not any but just it gets us back and forth to work everyday.
The problem with the vehicle that has a bad shift solenoids and has a loud muffler. The truck has been getting my boyfriend back and forth to work but I have stop and turn the truck off to reset the shift solenoid. It is very rusty. It does have a misfire on one cylinder. The performance is not that bad. I have 3 good tires that come with the truck. But the truck would be better as a parts truck. It has a new master cylinder and brake booster that we have fixed but a used power steering pump and had to put on a new puppy to the tensioner. The 4 wheel drive do not work.
accountCircle David R
2005 Dakota not what some crack it up to be
I bought my 2005 Dakota SLT 4.7V8 with 43,000 miles. My first issues were at 50k and an odd vibration in the front end which sent me down a spiral. No matter who does the brakes, new parts and all, there is always the feel of pulsation like a warped rotor or the like. Every 20k is a new set of exhaust manifold gaskets. My maintenance is very regular at recommended (or more often if circumstances dicate) intervals. At 190k the transmission went. Recently at over 200k the PCM failed. I am not counting little maintenance items, ball joints, tune ups and the like in detail. Fuel mileage on this truck has been a theory. Overall, it does a good job at light towing and such, and I think it is a good looking vehicle. Finally at a financial position I can start looking for a different vehicle. First and last Dodge/Ram I will own. Compared to Fords and Toyotas they are a nightmare.
accountCircle Dan J
Lemon Dakota: repairs begin at 50,000 miles.
It has 65,000 and I've already replaced upper and lower ball joints on both sides, transmission, and brakes every year. I don't drive on bad roads or highways. I don't drive it hard either. It's not used for hauling or towing. I think this truck is just a lemon. I have too much money in it to let it go now.
accountCircle Andrew B
Will run smooth at the start but when it gets older will start to ride rough.
Like that it has lasted this long from when I got it. Been able to handle anything I needed. Had to rebuild the transmission and had some other issues with the ac.
accountCircle Kent J
Would you buy this truck?
High mantaincentive vehicle . New motor at 83,000 for around $8000. Ball joints at 12900. Rotors replaced after first year warped.
accountCircle Brittany L
2005 Dodge Dakota with transmission issues.
It has tire issues and I had to replace the entire transmission. It is fine for a short work commute, but it kills on gas for longer commutes. I’d prefer a sedan or family car, but it does the job. It has not had any other real issues besides the transmission. It does not have an AUX port which is a bit sad.
accountCircle Steve J
Durable and large truck bed. Leather seats and are heated ,
Great for wood halling , to light in the snow . Gas mileage is very good for a mid size truck,

Dodge Dakota Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
ST
210-230 HP 17-17 MPG 5-6 Seats
car
SLT
210-230 HP 17-17 MPG 5-6 Seats
car
Laramie
210-230 HP 17-17 MPG 5-6 Seats
Photos may not match model

2005 Dodge Dakota Owner Reviews

4.11
88 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 49%
4 stars 23%
3 stars 22%
2 stars 5%
1 star 2%
accountCircle Nick N on April 4, 2021
05 Dodge Dakota owners review
This has been a great vehicle for me. It has been reliable and gets me through the winter snow every year. I've eclipsed the 150,000 mile mark and still going strong.
accountCircle Gerald m on April 2, 2021
That it a rugged truck and can take a beating
It is a 4x4 truck that I use daily and going on camping and fishing trips

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Reno B.

I bought it used and it had low mileage and had been stored in a garage out of the elements. It does use a fair amount of gas. It has been reliable. I do not drive everyday so it still has low mileage for its age.

likeFilled Ryan V.

This truck very well and has lasted many years it gets good mileage and can fit up to 5 people. It is not too big so it can easily be a truck for anyone. It is a good truck to have mostly for two people.

likeFilled Sherry J.

Available with V8, powerful but not obnoxiously so. Seats 5 comfortably, center console folds out of the way. Sturdy enough to pull a trailer. Mid-size truck, full bed length. Great for weekend travel or hauling mid size loads.

likeFilled Destanee C.

It has a long truck bed perfect for bulk shopping or outdoors equipment. It is great for off road driving and long trips. It has extra storage space in the back seat which is great for holding reusable shopping bags, window scrapers, and smaller important car accessories that you do not want to leave in the center console.

likeFilled Alison B.

It is an older vehicle and higher mileage so anything that could go wrong already has and has been fixed. So in other words I feel like the vehicle is more reliable now that most things have been replaced and repaired.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Reno B.

It is somewhat too big for me, meaning I have never owned a truck before and it is hard for me to back up, get into parking spots etc. This would not be a problem for others who have driven a truck before. It uses more gas than a smaller automobile.

dislikeFilled Ryan V.

The cons of this truck are although you can fit up to 5 people it is not very comfortable with all 5 people. It is also not motorized in the sense of windows and locks. It is all done manually with a swivel handle for windows.

dislikeFilled Sherry J.

There are not any real cons. The only downside would be that the a/c needed repairing after 10 years. Passenger side window mechanism is unreliable. The ride is not very smooth, you can feel every bump in the road.

dislikeFilled Destanee C.

There is not enough space for passengers in the back seat, it often gets too crowded even with just 2 passengers. It is not good on gas mileage, it takes $50 to fill up the tank which can be costly. It is an older vehicle and some shops do not always have parts on site so if you have car troubles it will take longer per the fact of having to order parts.

dislikeFilled Alison B.

Well everything in life is unpredictable so the cons would be the same as the pros in my opinion. It is a older vehicle so therefore it is has work done to it and anything that is gas work done to it there's a chance of that work messing up again or some sort of defect with new parts. It is always hard to put things back together exactly the same way they were taken apart.

Ranks #7 Compact Pickup Trucks by Owners

The 2005 Dodge Dakota has an average owner rating of 4.27 out of 5 which ranks it #7 of 8 other Compact Pickup Trucks.

1
Tie
car
5
1
Tie
car
5
7
car
4.11

Ranks #6 Compact Pickup Trucks by Fuel Economy

The 2005 Dodge Dakota has a combined MPG of 22 which ranks it #6 of 9 other Compact Pickup Trucks.

1
car
28 MPG
2
Tie
car
24 MPG
6
Tie
car
19 MPG

Is The 2005 Dodge Dakota A Good Car?

Yes. It has been very reliable and health not a high miles per gallon it usually get between 15 and 18 mpg.
Stella S.
Yes, this is a good vehicle. The motor runs good. It has a good air conditioner and heater. It is an all wheel drive.
SHERYLE t.
Yes it is exceptionally dependable and provides great transportation even with its age and high mileage.
A H.
It has been a wonderful vehicle for our needs. Except for routine maintenance, there has been no need for major repairs.
Tracey L.
Everything is fine except the transmission which has gone out twice. Motor has gave no trouble and the brake pads have been replaced two times in 140k.
Sarah A.

How Reliable Is The 2005 Dodge Dakota?

Yes it is reliable. . The dodge brake system has been the only problem. It has a tendency to wear out very quickly.
Stella S.
This is a reliable vehicle. We have had some problems with the all wheel drive. The front wheel suspension that operates the 4wd has had to be replaced.
SHERYLE t.
It is extremely reliable. It is in great shape for it is age and the only issues it has is due to rust and minor upholstery issues. I love this vehicle and would buy another in a heartbeat.
A H.
It has been very reliable. We have had no major repairs and only performed routine maintenance. It starts every time and runs very well.
Tracey L.
The truck has been reliable other than the transmission having to be rebuilt two times in 140k. As of now it has 201k on it and is running as well as ever.
Lydia S.

Is The 2005 Dodge Dakota A Good Value?

Mine cost $35,000 in 2005. Yes it is a good value, I have 4 wheel drive, and s v8 engine, tow package and heated seats.
Stella S.
I have no idea what my 2005 dodge Dakota St costs at this time. We paid around $7000 for it two and a half years ago.
SHERYLE t.
The cost was around $7000 when it was purchased about eight years ago. Today it is worth around $5000 if sold privately. This vehicle has exceptional value for what I paid for and it is still worth... Read More
A H.
We purchased the vehicle used. I feel we got a good value for the money. It is still running well with no problems.
Tracey L.
When I bought I gave 10k for it but that was years ago. All things considered I have got my money's worth out of this truck. As of now the truck is worth about 3k.
patricia L.

Related Articles for 2005 Dodge Dakota

From the Vehicle History blog

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2005 Dodge Dakota Problems: Change Your Mind?

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2005 Dodge Dakota transmission control module location?

Answer: The transmission control module on a 2005 Dodge Dakota can be found under a cover on the rear of the transmission housing. There will be wires that are running into the cover and that will let You know where it...

What's the 2005 Dodge Dakota transfer case control module location?

Answer: The 2005 Dodge Dakota does not have a separate transfer case control module (TCCM). Instead, the transfer case is run off of the front control module (FCM), which contains the software to control the electric...

What's the 2005 Dodge Dakota o2 sensor location?

Answer: The 2005 Dodge Dakota o2 sensor location is found by watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yUgGxbstn0 The spark plugs need to be replaced every 100,000 miles unless it's a copper one. A cooper spark plug...

What's the 2005 Dodge Dakota mass air flow sensor location?

Answer: The 2005 Dodge Dakota mass air flow sensor location on the front of the throttle body or the intake manifold. You will come into many problems with an engine. There could be excessive oil use, requiring the oil...

What's the 2005 Dodge Dakota cabin filter location?

Answer: The 2005 Dodge Dakota cabin filter location is behind the cowl. You will come across a few annoying noises from the air conditioner. Loose mounting bolts will become a nuisance. A bad compressor will get noisy....

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

Not Rated
*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety