1991 Dodge Dakota

Routine

Owners filed 128 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission32
602
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)16
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip6
100
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings4
010
Structure3
000
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor3
000
Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/Rack3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine3
010
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)00V106000
Filed Apr 11, 2000123,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A500 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. INADVERTENT PLACEMENT OF THE SHIFT LEVER IN REVERSE CAN OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PLACED IN PARK.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITH THE ENGINE ON AFTER THE DRIVER HAS LEFT THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH AN ALUMINUM VERSION.

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar95V089000
Filed May 12, 199578,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS AND REPLACE ANY WHEELS EXHIBITING CRACKS. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IF CRACKING OCCURS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings91V200000
Filed Nov 12, 199138,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE MAY RUB AGAINST THE TIRE DURING A FULL LOCK LEFT TURN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE WEAR THROUGH OF THE BRAKE HOSE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE.

Risk. WEAR THROUGH OF THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE WOULD CAUSEFLUID LOSS FROM HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND INCREASE STOPPINGDISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. IF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE HOSE AND TIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT IS INADEQUATE, REPLACE BRAKE HOSE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings90V176000
Filed Oct 1, 19903,500 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. STEEL BRAIDED FUEL HOSE ROUTING MAY ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE HOSE AND TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.

Risk. THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND FUEL LEAKAGETHAT, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. INSTALL A TIE STRAP TO SECURE THE TRANSMISSION WIRING AWAY FROM THE FUEL HOSE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Dec 5, 201775,000 milesIL

ABS FOUND FLASHING CODE 7,PERFORMEDPPT, FOUND MODULE BAD.( CHECK SAFETY RECALL F05) WHEN PERFORMING RECALL A/T MANUAL VALVE , FOUND DISCOLORATION IN TRANSMISSION FLUID POSSIBLE COOLER RESTRICTION IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN CONDITION .. TECH TOLD THIS CUSTOMER THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION TRUCK ONLY HAS 75000 ACTUAL MILE...

Air Bags
Filed Jan 23, 201250,000 milesIL

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AS I TURN A CORNER AT LOW SPEEDS AND THEN IT EVENTUALLY GOES OFF AS I STRAIGHTEN OUT. IT HAS DONE THIS INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE YEARS BUT NOW IT'S GETTING MUCH WORSE AS IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Oct 9, 2008120,000 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, IT SUDDENLY ROLLED IN REVERSE WITH THE SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S DOOR CRASHED INTO THE GATE AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V034000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION). THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS NOT A SUFFICIENT REMEDY WITH THE RECALL DEFECT REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Mar 24, 2008NC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. THERE ARE TWO SAFETY RECALLS THAT THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER'S 00V106000 (POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)) AND 95V089000 (STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALLS APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT GET THE PARTS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,139.

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Sep 21, 2006OH

1991 DODGE DAKOTA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *KB THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE PRIOR TO THE FIRE ERUPTED. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SERVICE A WEEK BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. *NM

Structure
Filed Aug 6, 2004MA

PAINT FLAKING OFF. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE TRUCK. THE PAINT STARTED FLAKING OFF OVER A YEAR AGO.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 23, 2003MI

THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE WORE THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND FLOOR PAN WHICH CAUSED A FUEL LEAKAGE. *PH THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE WAS INSTALLED SO THAT IT WAS DIRECTLY AGAINST THE JUNCTION OF THE FIREWALL AND FLOOR PAN. THIS WAS A SHARP WELDED JUNCTION WHICH WORE THROUGH THE STEEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE AND CAUSED THE FUEL LEAK. (DEFECTIVE AT THE FACTORY AND PRESENTED A FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD) *SCC *JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Jun 13, 2003KY

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE COULD NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Power Steering Fluid
Filed Jan 31, 2003ID

POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR

Power Train › Axle Hubs
Filed Nov 25, 2002PA

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND HEARD A LOUD "METAL SCRAPING" NOISE. CHECKED BY DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXLE IS DEFECTIVE. TS

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 2, 2002CO

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 00VV106000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 871 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO JOHN L WAY DODGE SOUTHWEST WHERE REPAIRS WERE DONE. VEHICLE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEM OF SHIFTING GEARS UNTIL AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE. REFERRED CONSUMER TO MANUFACTURER. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Oct 9, 2001CT

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION, IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS TO BE EFFECTIVE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS JUST AN EXCUSE IN CASE OF A PRODUCT FAILURE.*JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 31, 2001VA

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSING DAMAMGE TO VEHICLE, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/70R15, CLAIM 46-0351-405. *SLC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 31, 2001VA

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSING DAMAMGE TO VEHICLE, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/70R15, CLAIM 46-0351-405. *SLC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Jul 23, 2001LA

PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED POSSIBLE TRANSMISSON PROBLEMS, HOWEVER CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE.*JB

Structure
Filed Jul 23, 2001LA

A SHOCK IS GIVEN UPON OPENING THE DOOR AT TIMES. DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Jul 12, 2001MD

CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR. *JG

Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/Rack
Filed Jul 9, 2001TN

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE BROKEN AND SPARE TIRE HAD FALLEN OFF. DRIVER WAS UNAWARE OF WHEN THE SPARE FELL OFF. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed May 11, 2001FL

BAD GAS MILAGE/I GET ABOUT 200MILES TO A TANK OF GAS/IT HOLD 22 GAL. OF GAS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Apr 26, 2001CA

2 FUEL LINES ROUTED OVER CROSS MEMBERS, HAVE BEEN RUBBING AGAINST THEM. THIS CAUSED FUEL LINES TO CRACK, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKS. *AK

20 of 128 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201144600Do not drive
201035700Do not drive
200918500Do not drive
200891210Do not drive
2007144420Do not drive
2006285671Do not drive
20054707270Do not drive
2004206561Fatalities reported
20032961150Above average
200267812182Fatalities reported
200167814112Fatalities reported
200080612142Fatalities reported
19996411060Above average
19985451216Fatalities reported
19974461261Fatalities reported
1996189261Fatalities reported
1995208161Fatalities reported
1994166442Fatalities reported
1993134260Routine
1992216280Above average
1991 — this page128550Routine
199063300Routine

Compare every Dakota year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 24, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.