1989 Dodge Dakota Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Dodge Dakota, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering1926.0%
- Brakes811.0%
- Engine811.0%
- Transmission811.0%
- Tires & wheels68.2%
- Electrical45.5%
- Fuel system45.5%
- Body & structure45.5%
- Powertrain (other)34.1%
- Other / unspecified34.1%
- Seat belts34.1%
- Suspension22.7%
- Visibility11.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM STEERING THE VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS ON THE RACK AND PINION WERE CRACKED. AS A RESULT, THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCEEDED THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO RECEIVE REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V094000 STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHO FILED A REPORT AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 209,000. UPDATED 10/12/11*LJ UPDATED 10/14/11 *BF WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP IN A DITCH. UPDATED 10/18/11 UPDATED 10/26/11 UPDATED 10/31/11 UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN
RACK AND PINION BOLTS FRACTURED ,CAUSING RACK AND PINION STEERING TO SEPARATE FROM FRAME, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLOW FUSES.
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING DOWN 1994 AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED A HUGE FIRE. MELTING ALL THE WIRING AND DESTROYING THE TRUCK. THE DETROIT FIREDEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE I HAD BASIC COVERAGE. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS A RECALL. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1993 AFTER THE RECALL. I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. LUCKILY THE POLICE AND FIRE WERE CLOSE AND THEY PUT IT OUT BEFORE IT BLEW UP. THE FREEWAY WAS CLOSED FOR A WHILE AFTER THIS HAPPENED. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE TO MAKE DODGE REPAIR THIS? IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 1 YEAR AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATE BUT IT WAS A WEEK. *AK
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND IT TAKE A WHILE TO RESTART. YH
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTS INTO REVERSE OR IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE WILL ROLL DOWN A HILL. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO THE PARKING GEAR. NO EXAMINATION OR REPAIRS WERE MADE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 00V106000 REGARDING POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND MELTED.*MR *PH *NM
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN SWITCHING FROM 4H TO 2H ON 89 DODGE DAKOTA ON FLOOR SHIFTER IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO ENGAGE AND WHEN IT DOES IT JARS THE VEHICLE TO A SIDE JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SUDDENLY. *JB
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DISINTEGRATED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DAMAGE FOUND TO THE TIRE WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD AND NOT A DESIGN FLAW.(COOPER TRENDSETTER AW RADIAL TIRE P235 75R15, DOT NUMBER, VP HL CNA 7500)*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.
MANUAL SHIFT 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION, IGNITION WAS ON , AND VEHICLE STALLED WHEN TURNING IGNITION, PUMPED THE STARTER, CRANKED TOO FAR, VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE, OCCUPNACY WAS OUT OF VEHICLE AND ARM GOT CAUGHT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND KNOCKED DOWN DRIVER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TH
HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE BECAUSE WHEN CUTTING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF, THE FUEL PUMP STILL RUNS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRAME IS CRACKED FROM THE STEERING GEAR ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK
MOUNTING BOLTS OF FRAME FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAVING ALOT OF HOWLING IN THE DRIVESHAFT??AND THEY DON'T WHY.*AK
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. THEN IT MADE A CLUNKING NOISE.THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE & THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. WAS TOWED TO SHOP THE REAR END OF DRIVESHAFT WAS SHOT. HAD THE WRONG REAR END PUT IN VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE IT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: CONSUMER STATES: WHEEL DIDN'T FIT HUB CORRECTLY AND IT WAS STRIPPING LUGS: NUTS AND STUDS WHEN HITTING SMALL BUMPS. THERE WAS NOTHING TO HOLD THEM. . DODGE SAID NEEDED A FACTORY RIM, AND THEY DIDN'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE. *AK UPDATED 01/09/07. *JB
SPARE WHEEL FELL FROM CARRIER WHEN WINCH CABLE PARTED DUE TO WEAR/CORROSION. WHEN REPORTED TO DEALER, HE SAID THAT IT WAS HAPPENING A LOT LATELY. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND HE RESPONDED NO. A TIRE FALLING FROM UNDER VEHICLE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS CAN EASILY KILL PEOPLE IN OTHER VEHICLES, YET DEALER (AND MANUFACTURER?) SEEMED TO NOT CARE. SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE TRACKED AND A MORE PERMANENT DEVICE OTHER THAT FLIMSY, CORROSION PRONE CABLE BE USED TO SECURE THESE SPARE TIRES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON BROKE APART, CAUSING SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITHOUT EXCESSIVE EFFORT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TH
REAR SUSPENSION NOISE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONVERTIBLE PICKUP TRUCK HAS A PLASTIC REAR WINDOW SEWN ON CANVAS AND IS TOTALLY TAINTED (INTERACTION WITH SUNLIGHT CAUSES WINDOW TO FADE). *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .