RoadVitals

1991 Dodge Dakota

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
128
Latest Dec 5, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest May 24, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 128 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Dodge Dakota, most frequently naming the transmission, steering and brakes categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 20 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

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.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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.gov
06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 24, 2006
27,176 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The 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.
CK MOTORSPORT, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
00V106000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Apr 11, 2000
123,000 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITH THE ENGINE ON AFTER THE DRIVER HAS LEFT THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH AN ALUMINUM VERSION.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONManufacturer number 871View on NHTSA.gov
95V089000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

May 12, 1995
78,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The 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.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA96006ClosedEngineering Analysis

ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE WHEN PARKED

Opened May 31, 1996
Closed Aug 10, 2000

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAINLed to recall 00V106000
PE95041ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF SHIFTER

Opened Jun 23, 1995
Closed May 31, 1996

ODI RECEIVED AN INQUIRY REGARDING ALLEGED PARK TO REVERSE PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON 1991 AND 1992 DODGE DAKOTA PICUP TRUCKS.THE ODI DATABASE REVEALED 11 COMPLAINTS, SEVERAL OF WHICH HAD BEEN REPORTED IN THE MONTHS JUST PRECEDING THE OPENING OF THE PE.THE CONSUMERS CLAIM THAT THEY MOVE THE VEHICLE, PLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND EXIT THE VEHICLE.THEN, ALMOST ALWAYS WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE ALLEGEDLY SHIFTS INTO REVERSETHE VEHICLE THEN BEGINS TO BACK UP, USUALLY STOPPING ONLY WHEN IT HITS SOMETHING.

POWER TRAIN
PE95004ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

Opened Jan 19, 1995
Closed May 11, 1995

There is no summary currently available

STEERINGLed to recall 95V089000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 128
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2017

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...

NHTSA ID
11052471
Incident
Aug 29, 2017
Mileage
75,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 23, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10444973
Incident
Mar 4, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 9, 2008
Crash reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10244970
Incident
Sep 12, 2008
Mileage
120,000 mi
SteeringTransmission
Filed Mar 24, 2008

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.

NHTSA ID
10222110
Incident
Mar 22, 2008
Engine
Filed Sep 21, 2006
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10169103
Incident
Aug 14, 2006
Body & structure
Filed Aug 6, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10086297
Incident
May 1, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Sep 23, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10040396
Electrical
Filed Jun 13, 2003
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10024039

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

1300303

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

FRAME CRACKING. *TT

2100601

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ

0800600REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

230800

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

080600

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

233599REVA

STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Dakota by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011446160.0
2010357162.1
2009185155.1
2008912149.0
20071444460.2
20062846562.3
20054707564.4
20042065049.7
200329511155.5
200267812159.6
200167814259.8
200080612463.7
199964110158.3
199854512157.8
199744612159.0
19961892156.0
19952081255.0
19941664465.7
19931342157.8
19922162362.1
1991Viewing1285364.1
1990633155.0
1989633052.7
1988553050.5
1987202048.9
1986100—
1985200—

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.