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1990 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 166.

About this comparison →
63Owner complaints

Model-year median: 166

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
20
198755
198863
198963
1990128
1991216
1992134
1993
Compare all Dakota years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Steering
27Power Train
14Service Brakes, Hydraulic
11Structure
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3
All reported categories
Electrical System
2Equipment
2Suspension
2Tires
2Unknown Or Other
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seat Belts
1Visibility
1

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: 0 of 63 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 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 F…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #874114

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES MY VEHICLE HAS WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED. NEED TO KNOW THIS BY USING MY VIN.

NHTSA ODI #712775

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

FRONT STRUT FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #519485

Official recalls

3

01V232000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

Jul 6, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 PICKUP TRUCK CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES (BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 1988 - JUNE 1990) AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SHELBY PACKAGE (BUILT OCTOBER 1988 - JUNE 1989). 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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

96V094000 · 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.

89V237000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Dec 27, 1989

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

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

1

PE96003 · Steer Rck +pinion Mnt Fail

Opened Jan 16, 1996 · Closed Jun 10, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available