Dodge Dakota Generation 3 (2005–2011)

Dodge Dakota Generation 3 (2005–2011) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Dodge Dakota — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 1996–2001 —
Generation 2 2002–2004 —
Generation 3 2005–2011 —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Dakota

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Chrysler 4.7L PowerTech V8 2000–2011 8 models 279
Dodge 3.7L 6-cylinder 2004–2011 15 models 183
Dodge 3.9L 6-cylinder 1987–2003 7 models 147
Dodge 5.2L (318) Magnum V8 1989–1999 17 models 50
Dodge 5.9L Magnum V8 1989–2003 14 models 29

About this generation

The redesigned 2005 Dakota still shared its platform with the new Dodge Durango SUV (which was now even more similar to the Ram platform). This model was longer and wider, and features a new front and rear suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering. This new generation model also reverted to five-lug wheels from the prior generation's six-lug wheels to reduce costs and assembly times. A V6 and two V8 engines were available: The standard engine is a 3.7 L PowerTech V6; the two 4.7 L V8 engines are the standard PowerTech V8 and the V8 High Output or HO.

The 3.7 L V6 produces and of torque. The standard-output 4.7 L V8 produces and of torque. The high-output 4.7 L V8 produces and of torque. Both the 3.7 L and standard output 4.7 L V8s were available with the six-speed manual transmission in 2005 and 2006. For 2007, that option was deleted on the V8 models. In addition to a refresh of the styling, this generation was not offered in a regular cab model.

Only the Club and Quad Cab configurations were available. The Dakota R/T returned in late 2005 for the 2006 model year, but only with cosmetic modifications. Despite the "R/T" moniker which signifies "Road and Track," the newest Dakota R/T was simply an option package, characterized by a non-functional hood scoop, exclusive gauge cluster, and hockey stick–style side stripes. The package was available on both two- and four-wheel-drive models.

The facelifted third-generation Dakota was unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show as a 2008 model. The Dakota received another facelift and interior upgrade along with a few other upgrades, including built-in cargo-box utility rails, heated bench seats, best-in-class towing (up to ), the largest and longest standard bed in the class, and the largest mid-size truck cab. Its new 4.7 L V8 produced and of torque. The standard engine remained the 3.7 L V6 with and of torque.

Production began in August 2007. As of 2010, the Dakota was considered a part of the Ram lineup. However, the "Dodge" emblem still existed on the tailgate, and the truck was interchangeably referred to as a Ram Dakota or Dodge Dakota. Its Mitsubishi Raider sibling was discontinued in 2009. The IIHS gave this generation a "Good" rating in the frontal offset crash test. Throughout its production run, the 2005 to 2011 Dodge Dakota was available in three basic models: The ST served as the base Dakota model.

It included the following features: sixteen-inch styled steel wheels, sixteen-inch tires, front cloth bench seats, vinyl-trimmed seating surfaces, manual windows and door locks, black plastic bumpers, an AM/FM stereo with a single-disc CD player (later, single-disc CD/MP3 player), and auxiliary audio input jack (on most models), a four-speaker sound system, air conditioning, a 3.7 L "PowerTech" V6 engine came standard, or the optional 4.7L "PowerTech" V8 Engine also available on the ST model.

The SLT served as the "mid-level" Dakota model. It added the following features to the base ST model: sixteen-inch sport-styled alloy wheels, cloth seating surfaces, and power windows and door locks with keyless entry. The SLT was available with any engine offered on the Dakota. A Big Horn (or Lone Star in Texas) package was also available for the SLT model, which included "value-added" features, as was an SXT package that added a color-keyed front grille, color-keyed front and rear bumpers, and "sport" cloth seating surfaces.

The Laramie, otherwise known as the SLT Laramie, was the "top-line" Dakota model.

Source: Wikipedia — Dodge Dakota — Third generation (2005–2011), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2006 6 283 Air Bags, Steering, Power Train
2009 5 18 Power Train, Air Bags, Electrical System

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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