1990 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 1990 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
- Steering2738.0%
- Transmission1216.9%
- Brakes1115.5%
- Body & structure45.6%
- Powertrain (other)34.2%
- Engine34.2%
- Suspension22.8%
- Electrical22.8%
- Tires & wheels22.8%
- Heating & air conditioning22.8%
- Seat belts11.4%
- Visibility11.4%
- Fuel system11.4%
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
OWNER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BOX. BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER TOLD THEM THEY COULD ONLY GET IT REPAIRED MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NOT ON SATURDAY. OWNER STATED THAT'S THEIR ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. *AK
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, RESULTING IN COLLISION.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD TROUBLE FINDING INFORMATION ON ANY UPGRADES, OR MODIFICATION THAT HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE NP231D TRANSFER CASE SINCE DATE OF MANUFACTURE ON 10-89. I HAD TO REPLACE THE RANGE FORK AND RANGE FORK SHIFT HUB AND AM NOW EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES WITH THE REPLACEMENTS. IF I CAN JUST GET SOME FEEDBACK ON THIS IT WOULD HELP ME A GREAT DEAL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT IN THIS SITUATION. *AKY
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAIN SINCE IT CAME OFF THE LOT. THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL WHILE WE STILL LIVED IN THE AREA. HOWEVER, WHEN WE MOVED TO MINNESOTA THE FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED. 1ST 2ND AND 3RD GEARS WERE REPLACED, THERE WAS LESS THAN 7,000 MI ON THE TRUCK. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, AGAIN 1ST 2ND AND 3RD CRAPPED OUT. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS LATER. I HAD ASKED THE SERVICE SHOP TO CHECK THE DRIVETRAIN SEVERAL TIMES, THE RESPONSE WAS THAT EVERYTHING WAS WITHIN PARAMETERS. THE WHOLE SYSTEM JUMPS AND THUMPS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT ALSO MAKES SIMILAR NOISES AND JUMPING WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS OR DIPS IN THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE AND THROW OUT BEARING REPLACED AT ABOUT 40,000 MI. THIS TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR TOWING OR HAULING ANY HEAVY LOADS. I READ IN THE ABOVE LIST ABOUT ANOTHER. *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 MODULE FAILED. I TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC. HE COULD NOT OBTAIN REPLACEMENT PART BECAUSE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE IT TO HIM. DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD TO BE BROUGHT INTO THEM FOR RAPAIR. DEALER MECHANIC ADVISED US THAT REPAIR WAS NOT NECESSARY BACAUSE BRAKES WORKED, JUST ANTI-LOCK FEATURE WOULD NOT WORK. WE WAITED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TO SAVE UP FOR THE REPAIR. AND HAD THE DEALER REPAIR THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. I FEEL THE DEALER IS MAKING A HAZARD ON THE ROAD BY NOT PROVIDING THE NECESSARY REPLACEMENT PARTS TO OTHER REPAIR SHOPS. THE DEALER ALSO CHARGES HIGHER PRICES AND THIS DEALER ALWAYS CAUSES SOMTHING ELSE TO GO WRONG IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE PROBLEM IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR. THAT IS THE MAIN REASON WE USE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIR PROBLEMS THAT WERE UNDER WARRANTY. WE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS SO THE DEALER COULDN'T SCREW UP THE TRUCK ANY MORE. *AK
FRONT STRUT FAILED.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE LOADING EQUIPMENT INTO BED, 1/2 INCH ALUMINUM RIVET THAT HOLDS TAILGATE CHAIN BRACKET ONTO THE BODY FAILED/RIPPED OFF. (QCAW)
BOLT STRIPPED AND REQUIRED WELDING TO FRAME AT STEERING GEAR.
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
THE REAR END AXLE WAS CRACKED . TT
TACHOMETER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A RATTLE, THAT SOUNDED LIKE WATER PUMP WAS GOING BAD. NEXT DAY, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CRASH BANG, FAN BLADE BROKE OFF, CUT RADIATOR HOSE. FAN BLADE HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER FELT LIKE IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER HOOD SOME ONE MAY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED.*AK THE CUSTOMER ALSO NOTED THAT ONE OF FOUR BLADE FAN HAS CRACKED. RADIATOR FAILED. *YH
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES MY VEHICLE HAS WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED. NEED TO KNOW THIS BY USING MY VIN.
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
FRONT STRUT FAILED.
FRONT END MISALIGNED, CAUSING VIBRATION/PULLING.
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
DODGE IGNITION SYSTEM LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING.*MR *JB
WHEN WEATHER GET COLD TRUCK WILL NOT START,WHEN HOT WILL NOT START PROPERLY. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FIRST TIRE SEPARATION DISCOVERED BY CSAA AUTO SERVICE DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, ON 11/07/01. SECOND AND THIRD TREAD SEPARATION WERE DURING VACATION, WHEN DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, AT 50MPH, THE TIRES STARTED PRODUCING ROUGH RIDE. STOPPED TO CHECK TIRES, AND NOTICED SEPARATION.*AK (TIRESIZE: LT21575R15)
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT STRUT FAILED.
TACHOMETER FAILED.
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
DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO ENGAGE OR MAY UNLATCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
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
DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR MIRROR WILL NOT STAY IN ADJUSTED POSITION, POWER MIRROR. TT *JB
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
THE FUEL TANK CRACKED, CAUSING THE FUEL TO SPILL OVER. IF IT WAS TO BECOME A SOURCE OF IGNITION, IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. DEALER WILL REPLACE FUEL TANK. *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 .