Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Dodge Dakota, most frequently naming the steering, seat belts and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1995 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 1995 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 1995 | 1 | 3 |
| Mar 1996 | 1 | 4 |
| Apr 1996 | 1 | 5 |
| Jun 1996 | 1 | 6 |
| Dec 1996 | 1 | 7 |
| Apr 1997 | 1 | 8 |
| Jun 1997 | 1 | 9 |
| Jul 1997 | 2 | 11 |
| Aug 1997 | 2 | 13 |
| Feb 1998 | 1 | 14 |
| May 1998 | 1 | 15 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 16 |
| Apr 2001 | 1 | 17 |
| Oct 2001 | 1 | 18 |
| Oct 2007 | 1 | 19 |
| Jun 2008 | 1 | 20 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE SPARE TIRE RETAINER FAILED, ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH FROM IT'S MOUNT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FALL TO THE ROAD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE SPARE TIRE IS HELD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BY A RETAINER ATTACHED TO A STEEL CABLE. THE STEEL CABLE IS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF TENSION SUPPORTING THE SPARE TIRE THE STEEL CABLE HAD DEVELOPED CORROSION TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT SIMPLY SNAPPED, ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL TO THE ROADWAY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERWAY. THE AREA OF FAILURE FROM CORROSION IS HIDDEN FROM VIEW. WITHOUT SOME DISASSEMBLY THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO ASCERTAIN A FAILURE WAS DEVELOPING. THE FAILED PARTS ARE IN MY POSSESSION. *TR
1987 DODGE DAKOTA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED BEFORE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
THE 1988-1990 DAKOTAS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS CONCERN WHY NOT THE 1987? 01V232000. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT A FIRE STARTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE DUE TO FACT THAT IT BURNT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH THE FRAME BROKE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROLBEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED.
CROSS MEMBER THAT HOLDS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE WHERE THE BOLTS HOLD IT TO THE FRAME. *AK
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
INFORMATION REGARDING FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING TO STEERING KNUCKLE THREAD REPAIR. *TT
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 44 | 6 | 1 | 60.0 |
| 2010 | 35 | 7 | 1 | 62.1 |
| 2009 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 55.1 |
| 2008 | 91 | 2 | 1 | 49.0 |
| 2007 | 144 | 4 | 4 | 60.2 |
| 2006 | 284 | 6 | 5 | 62.3 |
| 2005 | 470 | 7 | 5 | 64.4 |
| 2004 | 206 | 5 | 0 | 49.7 |
| 2003 | 295 | 11 | 1 | 55.5 |
| 2002 | 678 | 12 | 1 | 59.6 |
| 2001 | 678 | 14 | 2 | 59.8 |
| 2000 | 806 | 12 | 4 | 63.7 |
| 1999 | 641 | 10 | 1 | 58.3 |
| 1998 | 545 | 12 | 1 | 57.8 |
| 1997 | 446 | 12 | 1 | 59.0 |
| 1996 | 189 | 2 | 1 | 56.0 |
| 1995 | 208 | 1 | 2 | 55.0 |
| 1994 | 166 | 4 | 4 | 65.7 |
| 1993 | 134 | 2 | 1 | 57.8 |
| 1992 | 216 | 2 | 3 | 62.1 |
| 1991 | 128 | 5 | 3 | 64.1 |
| 1990 | 63 | 3 | 1 | 55.0 |
| 1989 | 63 | 3 | 0 | 52.7 |
| 1988 | 55 | 3 | 0 | 50.5 |
| 1987Viewing | 20 | 2 | 0 | 48.9 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.