What is the last year the Dodge Dakota was made?
The last year the Dodge Dakota was manufactured is 2011.
Context and timeline
Dodge introduced the Dakota in 1987 as a midsize pickup designed to sit between compact trucks and full-size pickups. Over its more-than-two-decade run, the Dakota evolved through two major design generations and remained a staple in Dodge’s lineup until the autumn of 2011, when production ceased.
Two generations and key years
First generation (1987–1996)
The original Dakota shared its engineering with Dodge’s D-series family, offering regular-cab and extended-cab (Club Cab) configurations. It established the model as Dodge’s entry in the growing midsize pickup segment and laid the groundwork for later refinements.
Second generation (1997–2011)
The second-generation Dakota received styling updates, upgraded interiors, and enhanced powertrains, helping it stay competitive through the 2000s. Production continued through the 2011 model year, marking the end of the Dakota’s uninterrupted run in Dodge’s catalog.
End of production: why the Dakota disappeared
In the early 2010s, Chrysler reorganized its lineup and decided to focus resources on the Ram full-size pickups. The Dakota was not replaced, and the final 2011 model-year Dakota rolled off the line at Chrysler’s North American plants, effectively ending the model’s production life.
Summary
The Dodge Dakota’s legacy ended with the 2011 model year, completing a lineage that began in 1987 and spanned two generations. Its retirement reflected shifts in market demand and corporate strategy rather than a single fault or overhaul need.
