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Dodge

2010 Dodge DAKOTA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Dodge DAKOTA has 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 53. The most common issue is air bags problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge dakota. the contact stated that while driving, the rear axle pinion nut and the drive train fractured. the vehicle was not able to be driven. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was included in . There are 7 recalls issued for this model year.

4 crash reports 1 injury

48

Total Complaints

7

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

16 complaints
33%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT AND THE DRIVE TRAIN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. T
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANU
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT AND THE DRIVE TRAIN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Dodge DAKOTA

Based on 34 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
9
30-60K
9
60-100K
12
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 50K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 23K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 65K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
1
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (7)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE15/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2010 Dodge DAKOTA

Live EIA prices
Per year
$4,759
Per month
$397
Per mile
39.7¢
kWh/mi
2.11

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Dodge DAKOTA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,679
Full coverage / month
$140
Liability only / year
$679
vs US avg
0%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1679

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2010 DAKOTA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2010 Dodge DAKOTA

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000
Clean Cars 4 All
ColoradoUp to $5,000
Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit
ConnecticutUp to $4,250
CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)
DelawareUp to $2,500
Clean Vehicle Rebate
IllinoisUp to $4,000
Illinois EV Rebate Program
MarylandUp to $3,000
Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles
MassachusettsUp to $3,500
MOR-EV
New JerseyUp to $4,000
Charge Up New Jersey
New YorkUp to $2,000
Drive Clean Rebate
OregonUp to $7,500
Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate
PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program
Rhode IslandUp to $2,500
DRIVEEV
TexasUp to $2,500
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive
VermontUp to $5,000
Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles
See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 48 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT AND THE DRIVE TRAIN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR SERVICE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V474000 (POWER TRAIN) WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: EACH OCCURRENCE HAPPENED IN RAIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ENGINE LIGHT AND LIGHTING BOLT ILLUMINATED ON DASH AND LOSS OF ACCELERATION SAME TIME. HAD TO PULL OVER WHEN I COULD AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED AGAIN, ACCELERATION PROBLEM WENT AWAY. TOOK TO DLR RAN COMPUTER SENSOR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • STEERING: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID WHICH WAS LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INSTALLED A NEW RACK AND PINION GEAR AND STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY. T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Dodge DAKOTA — Year Comparison

How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
48
Recalls
7
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
4
Injury reports
1
Segment avg
53

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2010 Dodge DAKOTA