RoadVitals

1994 Dodge Dakota Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
166
Latest May 14, 2013
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
18
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.
36

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 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

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

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

24
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

SUDDEN NEAR-COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE BOLT HOLDING MASTER CYLINDER IN PLACE TO HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR. ON 05-14-2005, MY 18 YEAR OLD SON COMPLETED HIS SHIFT AT WORK. HE WENT OUT TO OUR 1994 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP AND STARTED THE ENGINE. AS HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HE HEARD A METALLIC NOISE AS IF SOMETHING HAD BROKEN. HE DROVE TO OUR NEARBY RESIDENCE AT VERY LOW SPEED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, BUT HE REPORTED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE. AT OUR RESIDENCE, MY MECHANIC AND I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I AM A 21-YEAR EXPERIENCED POLICE COLLISION INVESTIGATOR. WE FOUND THAT THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) BOLT HOLDING THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER TO THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR (AKA: HYDROBOOST) HAD BROKEN OFF. THE BOLT APPEARS TO BE A LOW GRADE STUD THAT IS PRESSED INTO THE FORWARD COVER OF THE HYDROBOOST UNIT. THE BOLT / STUD IS OF SMALL DIAMETER FOR SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT. IT APPEARED TO BE OVER-TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY (MOST LIKELY), OR WORE OUT DUE TO METAL FATIGUE (LESS LIKELY AS THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES ON IT). THERE IS A SECOND BOLT HOLDING THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE HYDROBOOST. THE SECOND BOLT HELD IN PLACE, ALLOWING REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FALLING DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT AT ABOUT A 35 DEGREE ANGLE. HAD THIS DEFECT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR WHEN PULLING A LOAD, A CATASTROPHIC COLLISION WOULD HAVE LIKELY OCCURRED. THE TWO BOLTS APPEAR TO BE TOO SMALL IN DIAMETER FOR ANY VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY A LIGHT PICKUP TRUCK. ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE IS A 1994 MODEL YEAR, IT IS STILL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I LIVE IN A SEMI-ARID AREA, SO THERE IS NO RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION AND IS PARKED IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OTHERWISE EXTREMELY RELIABLE.

NHTSA ID 10120936 · filed May 15, 2005
All 24 reports naming brakes

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

22
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING DOWN ROAD, ABOUT TO TURN RIGHT, BUT AIRBAG DEPLOYED BEFORE I WAS OFF THE MAIN ROAD. HAD TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. HAD SLOWED DOWN TO APP. 10 MPH TO MAKE TURN. ROAD CLEAR. HAD MADE THIS TURN MANY TIMES BEFORE (ON WAY TO WORK). *TR

NHTSA ID 10362526 · filed Oct 26, 2010

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN DRIVER SIDE COLLISION. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING. THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUFFERED OF HYPERTHERMIA DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED.

NHTSA ID 10173364 · filed Nov 13, 2006
All 22 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

NO FAILURE JUST YET. EVERY SO OFTEN THE AIR BAG, ABS LIGHT COMES ON ONCE THAT HAPPENS THE FAN STOPS WORKING, THE POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK. NOW MY HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK AT ALL BUT MY PARKING LIGHTS WILL. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE DEALER TO FIX IT UNDER A RECALL THEY WON'T DO IT. I KNOW IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

NHTSA ID 10121159 · filed May 17, 2005
All 21 reports naming electrical

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH A DEER APPEAR OUT OF NO WHERE AND WAS HIT BY CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. IT WAS BADLY DAMAGED AND KNOCKED OFF THE ROAD. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. STEERING WHEEL SEPARATED AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S RIGHT LEG. DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED. VEHICLE HAD OLD ENGINE REPLACED. THE DAKOTA SPORT WAS TOTALED.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT AND SENT AN UPDATED VERSION WHICH IS AS FOLLOWS: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND A DEER JUMPED ONTO HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CROSSED THE ROAD TO THE LEFT INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPED THE VEHICLE OVER. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE FROM UNDER THE DASH INJURING THE CONSUMER. *TC

NHTSA ID 10094568 · filed Jan 5, 2005
All 20 reports naming steering

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED IMPROPERLY. THE CONSUMER CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP, DUE TO WRONG INFORMATION PRINTED ON THE DIP STICK. *JB

NHTSA ID 10017520 · filed Apr 24, 2003

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ENGINE OFF, PARK BRAKE NOT APPLIED. VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE AND ROLLED FORWARD ON A SLIGHT DOWN GRADE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO JUMP IN, APPLIED PARK BRAKE, AND STOPPED VEHICLE. DAMAGE WAS $ 3000.00, NO INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ID 897337 · filed Oct 4, 2001
All 20 reports naming transmission

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE AT LEAST 3 GAS FUEL PUMPS FOR MY 94 DODGE DAKOTA FOR THREE YEARS IN A ROW. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALER EACH TIME AN IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM EVERY TIME. I ONLY USE ONE GAS STATION WHEN I'M NOT TRAVELING AND JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD . I HAVE USED THE SAME TYPE OF GAS 1993 PREMIUM AND GAS STATION AMOCO SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND HAS NOT CHARGED ME THIS TIME FOR THE WORK. BUT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND OUT WHY I'M HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THERE IS SOME OTHER DEFECTIVE PART THAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM, OR FIND OUT IF THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE GAS FUEL PUMPS FOR THAT VEHICLE. I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING ON YOUR SITE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10025400 · filed Jul 4, 2003
All 15 reports naming fuel system

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID 729525 · filed Aug 30, 2000
All 14 reports naming engine

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO RELEASE. THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE TRUCK. *JB *CB *NLM

NHTSA ID 10020243 · filed Jul 3, 2003

WHEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT CAME APART. *JB

NHTSA ID 10017506 · filed Apr 24, 2003
All 13 reports naming seat belts

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT SEAT BOLT-DRIVER SIDE BROKE WITH SEAT GOING STRAIGHT BACK INTO BACK SEAT-REACHING FOR WALLET BOTH TIMES IT BROKE!

NHTSA ID 10122295 · filed May 27, 2005

WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO RECLINE BACK. *AK

NHTSA ID 10055967 · filed Jan 28, 2004
All 12 reports naming interior & seats

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

I HAVE A "PRISTINE" DODGE DAKOTA THAT I PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT CURRENTLY HAS 34,500 MILES ON IT AND I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BALL-JOINTS/ UPPER & LOWER/BOTH SIDES. I HAVE HEARD OF RECALLS FOR DAKOTA BALL-JOINTS. DID ANY OF THE RECALLS COVER A 1994 MODEL ? - PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA ID 10106359 · filed Jan 14, 2005
All 9 reports naming suspension

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

DODGE DAKOTA FRAME ROTTING OUT TOYOTA RECALLED THEIRS THE TRUCK IN GREAT SHAPE AND I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM COULD CAUSE DEATH IN CRASH.*TR

NHTSA ID 10384678 · filed Feb 27, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

SRS AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK WHEN APPLIED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *TC

NHTSA ID 10098997 · filed Dec 1, 2004

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ABOUT 70 MPH, NOTICED SMOKE AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE REAR TIRE. BEFORE DRIVER GOT A CHANCE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE DRIVESHAFT FELL OFF FROM UNDER THE CAR. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID 821421 · filed Mar 6, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NIGHT DRIVING, SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE IN CAB. HEADLAMPS WENT OFF THEN CAME BACK ON AFTER 5 TO 10 SECONDS. MOVED HEADLAMP SWITCH IN AND OUT BUT CONDITION STILL PERSISTED. LUCKILY I WAS LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM HOME ON DIVIDED HWY WITH NO TRAFFIC. IF LAMP SWITCH IS OFF THEN THERE IS NO SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SMOKE. WHEN LAMP SWITCH IS IN EITHER THE PARKING OR THE HEADLAMP POSITION, CAN SMELL ELECTRICAL SMOKE AND LIGHT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS SECOND FAILURE IN 2 YEARS. LAMP SWITCH FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10173803 · filed Nov 19, 2006

SEVERAL MONTHS TO A YEAR, A MODULE IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS MODULE CONTROLS THE HEADLIGHTS HIGH/LOW BEAM, TURN SIGNAL, 4-WAY FLASHER AND WIPER MOTION. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT WHILE IN USE FOLLOWING THE OTHER COMPONENTS FAILING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS TS

NHTSA ID 8022958 · filed Nov 19, 2002

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE AT LEAST 3 GAS FUEL PUMPS FOR MY 94 DODGE DAKOTA FOR THREE YEARS IN A ROW. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALER EACH TIME AN IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM EVERY TIME. I ONLY USE ONE GAS STATION WHEN I'M NOT TRAVELING AND JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD . I HAVE USED THE SAME TYPE OF GAS 1993 PREMIUM AND GAS STATION AMOCO SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND HAS NOT CHARGED ME THIS TIME FOR THE WORK. BUT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND OUT WHY I'M HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THERE IS SOME OTHER DEFECTIVE PART THAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM, OR FIND OUT IF THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE GAS FUEL PUMPS FOR THAT VEHICLE. I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING ON YOUR SITE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10025400 · filed Jul 4, 2003

WHEN TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTOMOBILE SHOP FOR 3,000 MILE SERVICE CHECK, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL LUGS: NUTS AND STUDS WERE FROZEN TOGETHER AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. THE LUGS: NUTS WERE FINALLY REMOVED WITH AN IMPACT WRENCH. THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TWICE WITH THE LEFT REAR TIRE, AND TWICE RIGHT REAR TIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID 824049 · filed Sep 1, 1998

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRED SEPARATION, TIRE MADE IN CANADA, VN PLANT, AT APPROX 30,000 MILES USE. (TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75R16 )

NHTSA ID 732939 · filed Sep 30, 2000

REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE GOING LESS THAN 50 MPH. TIRES CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT AFTER REPLACEMENTS. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATES INCIDENTS OCCURRED DUE TO ROAD HAZARDS. *AK

NHTSA ID 827913 · filed Sep 15, 1998

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

DUE TO THE DESIGN, PASSENGER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS UNSAFE .

NHTSA ID 522058 · filed Sep 14, 1997

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 10512159 · filed May 14, 2013

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 725917 · filed Jul 24, 2000

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

Data on this page last refreshed .