Makes›Dodge›Dakota Pickup

Dodge Dakota Pickup

7 model years from 2005 to 2011, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Model years
2005–2011
Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Latest engines
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl
Best MPG
17–18 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
10 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2005 (223)

The 2011 Dakota Pickup in brief

The 2011 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 drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 20 highway), 1% better than the 2011 standard pickup truck average of 16.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

The Dodge Dakota Pickup has 7 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2011.

Its most efficient year was 2009 at 18 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 17 to 18 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the air bags (357), power train (72), electrical system (58).

2010 has the most recalls (7); all years together count 10 campaigns and 578 owner complaints.

How the 2005 Dakota Pickup compares

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.

2011 Dakota Pickup pros & cons

Full 2011 details →

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints29 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 386 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Show all 7 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20113.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl17 MPG––Not rated629
20103.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl17 MPG––Not rated724
20093.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl18 MPG––Not rated58
20083.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl18 MPG––Not rated251
20073.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl17 MPG––Not rated376
20063.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl17 MPG––Not rated3167
20053.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl17 MPG––Not rated4223
Best combined MPG by model year — Dodge Dakota Pickup
2005: 17 MPG2006: 17 MPG2007: 17 MPG2008: 18 MPG2009: 18 MPG2010: 17 MPG2011: 17 MPG2005200620072008200920102011max 18 MPG

Alternatives to the 2011 Dakota Pickup

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Ford F-15019 MPGNot rated6
2011 Chevrolet Silverado21 MPGNot rated9
2011 Toyota Tundra18 MPGNot rated10
2011 Honda Ridgeline17 MPGNot rated10
2011 Nissan Titan15 MPGNot rated1
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup16 MPGNot rated8

Most common owner-reported problems

Air Bags357
Power Train72
Electrical System58
Steering25
Engine24
Suspension21
Seats16
Service Brakes12
Owner complaints by model year — Dodge Dakota Pickup
2005: 2232006: 1672007: 762008: 512009: 82010: 242011: 292005200620072008200920102011max 223
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

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