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1991 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 166.

About this comparison →
128Owner complaints

Model-year median: 166

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
55
198863
198963
1990128
1991216
1992134
1993166
1994
Compare all Dakota years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
60Steering
15Service Brakes, Hydraulic
12Fuel System, Gasoline
8Electrical System
7
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
7Engine And Engine Cooling
6Equipment
5Structure
5Tires
4Air Bags
2Seat Belts
2Unknown Or Other
2Parking Brake
1Seats
1Service Brakes
1Suspension
1Visibility
1Wheels
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: 3 of 128 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, THERE HAVE BEEN REPLACEMENTS MADE UNDER WARRANTY, THE INDICATOR LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN DRIVING AND IN HOT WEATHER THE LIGHT STAYS ON, THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED DEALER DID NOT TRY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE REAR SPEED S…

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THE ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, THERE HAVE BEEN REPLACEMENTS MADE UNDER WARRANTY, THE INDICATOR LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN DRIVING AND IN HOT WEATHER THE LIGHT STAYS ON, THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED DEALER DID NOT TRY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE REAR SPEED SENSOR, AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE WERE REPLACED, ALSO REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE REPLACED AND CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON.*JB

NHTSA ODI #825455

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE BUCKS. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALSO KICKS IN WITHOUT PEDAL APPLICATION WHILE DRIVING. DRUMS, PADS AND CYLINDERS REPLACED ON 7/24.97. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #814387

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1996
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury

WHEN YOU APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKES, THE FRONT BRAKES WILL NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #800854

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY FAIL, DAMAGING OTHER COMPONENTS.

NHTSA ODI #502517

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1995
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

ABS WIRING HARNESS FAILED FIVE TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #487101

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1995
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. TT

NHTSA ODI #973316

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1995
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

THE TRUCK HAS ABS BRAKES AND HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURE. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI #970189

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 1995
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS ANTI -LOCK BRAKES FAILED AT LOW SPEED, TRUCK SLID ON WET ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #969894

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 1995
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

HOLES IN FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #483174

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 1995
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ROTORS ARE LAMINATED AND THEY SEAL REAL BAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI #968523

Official recalls

4

00V106000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Apr 11, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITH THE ENGINE ON AFTER THE DRIVER HAS LEFT THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH AN ALUMINUM VERSION.

95V089000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

May 12, 1995

THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

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.

91V200000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Nov 12, 1991

THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE MAY RUB AGAINST THE TIRE DURING A FULL LOCK LEFT TURN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE WEAR THROUGH OF THE BRAKE HOSE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WEAR THROUGH OF THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE WOULD CAUSEFLUID LOSS FROM HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND INCREASE STOPPINGDISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: IF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE HOSE AND TIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT IS INADEQUATE, REPLACE BRAKE HOSE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

90V176000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 1, 1990

STEEL BRAIDED FUEL HOSE ROUTING MAY ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE HOSE AND TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND FUEL LEAKAGETHAT, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: INSTALL A TIE STRAP TO SECURE THE TRANSMISSION WIRING AWAY FROM THE FUEL HOSE.

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

3

EA96006 · Rollaway In Reverse When Parked

Opened May 31, 1996 · Closed Aug 10, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

PE95041 · Inadvertent Movement Of Shifter

Opened Jun 23, 1995 · Closed May 31, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

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.

PE95004 · Steering Wheel Separation

Opened Jan 19, 1995 · Closed May 11, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available