IllustrationGEAR LEVER DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE INTO PARK AND SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN PARK. *AK
1988 Dodge Dakota
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 1988 Dodge Dakota are lower than the model-year median of 166.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Dakota years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 55 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
Power Train complaints
10 reportsVEHICLE PARKED IN IDLE POSITION, JUMPED OUT GEAR INTO REVERSE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION, SPEED UNKNOWN. *AK
TRANSMISSION REPLACED.
VEHICLE STALLS DURING OPERATION . PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCED AT ALL SPEEDS. AND OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES.
WHILE IN PARK WITH ENGINE ON AND IT WENT INTO REVERSE AND WENT INTO A HOUSE.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEARS IN WINTER MONTHS. *DSH
THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY JUST BREAKS OFF AND THE TRUCK LEAPS FOREWARD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
TRANSMISSIONS MAJOR GEAR TRAIN FAILED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE GEARS. *DSH
CLUTCH FAILURE. *AW
BOLTS SHEERED OFF, CAUSING REAR OF TRUCK TO LOCK UP. *SKD
Official recalls
396V094000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
Jun 13, 1996
THE FRAME CAN CRACK AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT AND/OR THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD REINFORCEMENTS TO THE FRAME AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. IF THE FRAME IS ALREADY CRACKED, THE STEERING GEAR WELD NUTS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
88V074000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
May 4, 1988
MACHINING ERROR IN LOCATING WHEEL STUD HOLES MAY PREVENT FULL SEATING OF BRAKE DRUM TO SHAFT FLANGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEEL STUDS COULD LOOSEN, ALLOWING WHEEL TO SEPARATEFROM THE TRUCK.
Remedy: REPLACE AXLE SHAFTS AS NECESSARY.
87V194000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Dec 26, 1987
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY CONTAIN A PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLY THAT MAY STICK IN THE TOOTH BUTT UNENGAGED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WITH THEGEAR SHIFT LEVER IN PARK POSITION.
Remedy: ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLIES REPLACED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.