How to sell a Dodge Dakota that's done

Whether yours has a worn front end, a dead engine or a frame that's had enough, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.

The Dakota by generation

Wikipedia lists three US generations, all built at Warren Truck Assembly in Michigan. One complaint is also filed under a 1986 model year.

First generation (1987-1996): steering and drivetrain

The first Dakota rode on Chrysler's AN platform and shared its plant with the full-size D/W pickups to keep costs down. The base engine started as a 2.2-liter four; the underpowered 2.5-liter K four was later swapped for a 2.5-liter AMC four rated at 120 horsepower. A Sport convertible was sold from 1989 to 1991.

Those ten years hold 1,242 complaints. Steering is the top complaint on the 1988 (26 of 55), the 1989 and the 1990. Recall 96V094000 explains part of it: on 1988-1990 trucks, the frame could crack where the steering gear bolts on, or the mounting bolts could break. Dealers added frame reinforcements. The 1992 is a power train year, with 107 of its 216 complaints.

Two other early recalls: 89V237000, for 1989-1990 engines whose valve cover gasket could shift and seep oil (634,000 vehicles, a campaign that may include other models), and 95V088000, for 1994 trucks whose extra keys could catch in the screw holes on the back of the steering wheel.

Second generation (1997-2004): suspension and brakes

The second Dakota moved to the DN platform it shared with the first Durango. The 2.5-liter AMC four stayed as the base engine through 2002, its last year.

This generation has 4,296 complaints, nearly two-thirds of the Dakota's total. Suspension leads every year from 1997 to 2003, peaking at 316 on the 1999. Hydraulic brakes come second most years, and on the 2000 they nearly match the suspension: 232 against 259.

The recalls fit that picture:

• 04V596000 (2000-2003 4x4): the front upper ball joints could take on water, lose their lubricant and corrode. The campaign's 592,707 vehicles include Durangos.
• 00V198000 (1997-2000): the rear axle vent hose could rub the brake hose. Dealers replaced worn hoses and shortened the vent hose.
• 97V080000 (1997): the air bag control module could fire the bag when the ignition was shut off.
• 04V216000 (2002-2004): water could get into the wiper motor and stop the wipers.

Third generation (2005-2011): air bag inflators

The last US Dakota used the ND platform, shared with the Mitsubishi Raider. Wikipedia lists a 3.7-liter V6 and the 4-speed 42RLE automatic. Production ended August 23, 2011.

Complaints fall to 1,088 for these seven years, and air bags lead most of them, from 143 on the 2005 to 18 on the 2011. Recall counts went the other way: the 2010 has seven campaigns against 35 complaints. Several are inflator campaigns NHTSA marks DO NOT DRIVE, including 15V313000 and 16V352000 (2005-2011 in this data), 18V021000 (2009-2011 trucks sold or registered in certain states) and 19V018000 (2010-2011). Each of those runs to hundreds of thousands or millions of vehicles across many Chrysler models, so none is a Dakota-only count.

Two mechanical recalls round it out. Recall 05V460000 covers 2005 trucks with the 42RLE automatic, where a plug holding the park pawl shaft might not be installed right. Recall 13V038000 added a retainer to the rear axle pinion nut on 2009-2011 trucks.

Owner complaints by model year

Numbers match NHTSA's records on October 10, 2026. Because campaigns stretch across years, the recall column overlaps.

Selling it in one piece

1. Note the VIN, mileage and cab and bed style, plus what's wrong.
2. Ask for an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where the truck is and if it rolls. A Dakota that's been sitting in a field for years is fine; just say so.
4. Keep it whole: engine, wheels and tailgate stay put. Anything already removed changes the offer.
5. Bring the title and ID to pickup. No title? See selling with no title. For plates afterward, see after you sell.

Should you fix it first?

Line up the repair quote against a running Dakota's price for the same year. On a truck this age, the gap usually closes fast.

• Front end loose on a 1997-2003? Check whether the ball joint recall was done, then read broken suspension.
• Brakes grabbing, soft or seized? See bad or seized brakes.
• Frame rusted or cracked? Rotted frame covers when a truck is past saving.
• Recall still open? Look it up at NHTSA before you decide.

Other Dodge trucks we cover: the Ram 1500, the Ram 50, the Durango and the full Dodge list.