RoadVitals

1992 Dodge Dakota Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
216
Latest Mar 12, 2021
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.
29
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 1, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 216 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Dodge Dakota. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 216 · page 1 of 9

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 12, 2021
Fire reported5 injuries reported

WELL MY TRUCK WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE RD AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF OUT OF NO WHERE AND I ALMOST GOT IN A COUPLE OF WRECKS BECAUSE OF IT FLICKERING AND I HAVE CHANGED AND FIXED EVERYTHING AND IT STILL DOSE IT SO IT LIKE A WIRE ISSUE OR SOMETHING BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF IT THEN MY ENGINE WILL LIKE STOP OR SOMETHING WHEN I AM DRIVING AND JERK MY TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BACKFIRE HELLA BAD LIKE GUNS ARE GOING OFF AND IT'S BLEW MY MUFFLER UP 10 TIMES AND BLEW MY CATILLAC CONVERTER UP 5 TIMES AND BLEW MY HEADERS OFF AND BROKE THE BOLTS INSIDE MY HEADS AND I ONLY HAVE 169 K MILES ON IT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING BECAUSE THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE RD AND IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK LIKE I CAME REALLY CLOSE I WAS GOING DONE THE FREE WAY AND IT LIKE STOPPED THEN JERKED ME INTO THE BARRIER BUT THANK GOD I AVOIDED IT THEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS FLICKERING OFF AND ON AND JERKING LIKE IT DOSE I HAD 2 WHEELS IN A 5FT DITCH BECAUSE OF THAT GOING 55 MPH I WOULD HAVE DIED IF I WENT FULLY IN IT THEN FOR THE BACKFIRE AND BLOWING MY WHOLE EXHAUST UP I HAVE SEEN 5 PEOPLE WRECK BECAUSE OF MY EXHUST SYSTEM THEY WHERE FINE BUT THERE CAR WASN'T BECAUSE OF MY EXHUST AND I ONLY GET LIKE 4 MPG I LIVE LIKE 10 MILES FROM WORK AND I HAVE TO FILL IT EVERYDAY BECAUSE IT SUCKS HELLA GAS JUST ONLY 20 MILES ROUND TRIP FROM FULL IT'S BASICALLY ON EMPTY LIKE THE NEXT DAY I GO TO THE GAS STATION MY GAS LIGHT COMES ON

NHTSA ID
11402594
Incident
Jul 26, 2016
Mileage
165,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 8, 2012
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF A FAILURE WHICH INVOLVED THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY SLIPPING FROM PARK AND INTO REVERSE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V106000(POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION PRNDL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE INITIAL RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,059, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,960. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ

NHTSA ID
10450808
Incident
Jan 16, 2012
Electrical
Filed Dec 30, 2010

ON MY 1992 DODGE DAKOTA (V8 5.2L WITH AT, 4X4) THE ENGINE QUITS INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES WHILE PARKED IDLING AND OTHER TIMES WHILE DRIVING. IT DOES IT WITHOUT WARNING, AS IF THE KEY IS TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP AGAIN AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL HAVE TO CRANK FOR A WHILE BEFORE IT STARTS. I'VE HAD IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. ALL SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS A NEW FUEL PUMP AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. TRUCK HAS JUST OVER 50,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS AND THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10373484
Incident
Mar 1, 2010
Mileage
45,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 13, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE ON MY WAY TO A JOB INTERVIEW, WHEN I REALIZED I FORGOT SOMETHING . I DROVE BACK IN THE GARAGE, PUT THE SHIFTER IN PARK AND I STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK. NO SOONER HAD I GOTTEN AROUND THE TRUCK DOOR WHEN THE TRUCK JUST STARTED BACKING UP BY ITSELF. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP BACK IN TO STOP IT BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT THE TRUCK TO HIT SOMEBODY . BUT THE MOMENTUM WAS TO QUICK AND THE DOOR SLAMMED AGAINST ME HITTING THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BODY,BOTH MY KNEES WERE KNOCKED TOGETHER,CAUSING BRUISING AND SOME SWELLING. I ALSO HAD A SMALL CUT ON MY RIGHT INDEX FINGER WHEN THE DOOR HIT ME,IT PUSHED MY ARM BACK AND MY FINGER HIT MY FRONT TEETH. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM(PARK-TO-REVERSE). THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE IN MY POSSESSION THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CALLED A DODGE DEALERSHIP IN B.R. AND THEY TOLD ME THIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT USED SO I DO NOT KNOW IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PARK-TO-REVERSE. SINCE THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK AND HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH A LOT OF BACK, LEG, AND KNEE PAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10336047
Incident
Apr 18, 2010
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 10, 2008

2 ISSUES-THE POWER TRAIN-I DON'T THINK IT WAS EVER FIXED AS MY GEARSHIFT LEVER INDICATOR IS NOT IN THE GEAR IT INDICATES-CAN THIS STILL BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL-2ND PROBLEM-I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK JUST SHUTS ITSELF OFF WITHOUT WARNING-SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART AFTER SITTING A FEW MINUTES BUT YESTERDAY I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED WITH MY 74 YR. OLD MOTHER-I HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AND HAD THE SHUTDOWN OCCUR-I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN-I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER BUT THE GUY I GOT IT FROM TOLD ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT -I THOUGHT THE FUEL FILTER MAY BE PLUGGED AND HAD A COMPLETE TUNE-UP-STILL THE PROBLEM CONTINUES-IS THERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE-THANKS BARB *TR

NHTSA ID
10245035
Incident
Oct 9, 2008
Mileage
160,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE DAKOTA. HE HEARD A CHATTER NOISE AND THE LIFTER NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LIFTER FAILED IN THE CAM SHAFT WHICH AFFECTED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10189417
Incident
Apr 27, 2007
Mileage
164,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10083673
Incident
Jul 27, 2004
Mileage
105,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 21, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHILE RUNNING AND IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, ROLLED DOWN THE HILL, AND HIT A MOTOR HOME. CONSUMERE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10068658
Incident
Apr 21, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Mar 15, 2004

THE PAINT IS PEELILING OFF. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED AND THEY SIAD THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST THEY HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS AND SAID WE HAD TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES. NOW THE MAJORITY OF THE PAINT IS GONE AND RUSTING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10062289
Incident
Jun 1, 1993
Transmission
Filed Jun 26, 2003

THE TRANSMISSION RECALL WAS DONE IN JUNE 2000. SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE HAD TO WARM UP FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. *JB PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10017874
Transmission
Filed Jun 3, 2003
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STILL RUNNING WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE POPPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED BACK INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEIHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10022112
Incident
May 15, 2003
Body & structure
Filed May 7, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION . WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS FAILED. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10019329
Engine
Filed Apr 30, 2003

ON DAYS OVER 90 DEGREE TEMPERATURE THE ENGINE WILL REV VERY LOUD AT FIRST START, WHILE VEHICLE WILL BARELY MOVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN CLUTCH TWICE AND REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THE REMEDIES DID NOT HELP. *JB THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHILE AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WHEN DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS THEN KICK INTO NORMAL SPEED, MAKE NOISE, AND THEN STOP. *SCC

NHTSA ID
10017875
Incident
Apr 1, 1992
Mileage
1,600 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 4, 2003

THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO THE OVER DRIVE CONTROL FEATURE. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10011743
Mileage
29,628 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 27, 2003
1 injury reported

THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER THOUGHT THE KEY WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION BUT IT WAS NOT. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WENT TO PULL THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION WHEN IT SUDDENLY STARTED AND RAN OVER HER. THE DRIVER SUSTAIN 2 BROKEN BONES IN HER RIGHT LEG AND A BROKEN COLLAR BONE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES A CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH SHOULD BE INSTALLED. *NLM *NLM

NHTSA ID
10011247
Transmission
Filed Mar 4, 2003

THE VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS NOT RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION RECALL. *NLM THE VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS NOT RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10009825
Incident
Mar 4, 2003
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 4, 2002

VEHICLE FRAME IS DISINTERGRATING, BREAKING OFF IN BIG CHUNKS, IN TIRE FRAME FROM CAB BACK MUST BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT FOR 8 OF ITS 10 YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE SALT WASHED OFF FREQUENTLY DURING THE WINTERS ALSO. THIS MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE FRAME MATERIAL. DT

NHTSA ID
769284
Incident
Oct 25, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jun 6, 2002
Fire reported

15 DAYS AFTER PUCHASING THIS VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THE FIRE DESTROYED EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD BUT THE METAL ENGINE PARTS AS WELL AS MELTED PART OF THE DASH & CARPET ON THE INTERIOR. AFTER PRYING OPEN THE HOOD & DOUSING THE FLAMES COMPLETELY, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT A FUEL LINE LEAK HAD CAUSED THE BLAZE. APPARENTLY SOME FUEL LEAKED FROM THE LINE NEAR THE FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE & AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE FUEL TO IGNITE. THANKFULLY I WAS ALONE WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE CAB FILLED W/SMOKE BEFORE I EVEN GOT PULLED OVER & I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN NO SMALL TASK GETTING THEM OUT SAFELY. THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED @OVER $2000 BECAUSE OF THE COST OF THE WIRING & COMPUTER, NOT TO MENTION THE COST OF LABOR TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY ON THE VEHICLE, SO MY ONLY HOPE OF GETTING THIS THING FIXED W/OUT LOSING MY TAIL IS IF THE MANUFACTURER WILL STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT AND FIX IT. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW ONLY RECENTLY INFORMED ME OF THE NHTSA WEB SITE, OR I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS EARLIER. PLEASE HELP ANY WAY YOU CAN, MY FAMILY & I WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATIVE. THANKS. *AK

NHTSA ID
762737
Incident
Feb 15, 2002
Brakes
Filed May 7, 2002

CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE AT 40 MPH, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKING ACTION. DEALER DETERMINED BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND ALL BRAKE FLUID HAD DRAINED.*AK *MJ

NHTSA ID
8009372
Incident
May 7, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Apr 24, 2002

THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW ON VEHICLE, FUEL LINE IS ROUTED AGAINST THE BODY OF VEHICLE, AND OVER TIME THAT PART HAS CREATED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE THAT CAUSES FUEL TO LEAK OUT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
8008447
Incident
Apr 14, 2002
Transmission
Filed Mar 15, 2002

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION, HOWEVER WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS INFORMED HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART CAME IN, AND THE DEALER TOOK THE CONSUMERS RECALL CARD, CONSUMER HAS NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALER REGARDING THE PART.*JB

NHTSA ID
564660
Seat belts
Filed Feb 19, 2002

PLASTIC COVER ON DRIVERS SIDE RESTRAINT BROKE WHILE TRYING TO UNLATCH IT.*AK. CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO FIX SEATBELT.*JB

NHTSA ID
8004158
Incident
Feb 19, 2002
Body & structureEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 27, 2001

THE DOOR ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER-SIDE FAILED WHEN THE LOWER HINGE COLLAPSED INTO THE DOOR. THIS CAUSED THE DOOR TO BE MISALIGNED, PREVENTING THE LATCH FROM ENGAGING LATCH BOLT. THE FUEL GAUGE READS 1/4 SHORTLY AFTER FUELING AND WILL STAY THEIR UNTIL THE TANK IS ALMOST EMPTY. THE RADIATOR CORE FINS DISINEGRATED AND/OR FELL OUT OF THE RADIATOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.*AK

NHTSA ID
754980
Incident
Jul 25, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Oct 30, 2001

RECALL 00V199000; FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
898430
Transmission
Filed Aug 28, 2001

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 00V106000, AND MADE CONTACT WITH DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. DEALERSHIP WAS REFUSING SERVICE BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION, AND MUST BE CORRECTED BEFORE THEY PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
895285
Incident
Aug 15, 2001

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.

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