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1994 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from 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: 15 of 166 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 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports20 injury reports

Suspension complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 14, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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…

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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 ODI #10512159

34,000 miles · Jan 14, 2005
Suspension

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 ODI #10106359

110,000 miles · Dec 18, 2004
Suspension

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOWER BALL JOINT ON RIGHT SIDE OF TRUCK BROKE . DID NOT WRECK. WHEEL FELL OFF OF TRUCK ALONG WITH AXLE END, BRAKE ROTOR AND CALIPER. SPINDLE ALSO BROKE . I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED SPINDLE AND AXLE BUT HAVE NOT YET PUT ALL BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE IM TRYING TO SEE IF MY TRUCK SHOULD BE IN WITH THIS BIG REC…

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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOWER BALL JOINT ON RIGHT SIDE OF TRUCK BROKE . DID NOT WRECK. WHEEL FELL OFF OF TRUCK ALONG WITH AXLE END, BRAKE ROTOR AND CALIPER. SPINDLE ALSO BROKE . I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED SPINDLE AND AXLE BUT HAVE NOT YET PUT ALL BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE IM TRYING TO SEE IF MY TRUCK SHOULD BE IN WITH THIS BIG RECALL ON DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104063

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1997
EquipmentSuspension

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES FRONT END NOISE. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #523307

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 1996
SuspensionTiresWheels

WHEELS WARPED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE/UNEVEN WEAR OF TIRES. *SD

NHTSA ODI #506653

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 1995
Suspension

FRONT END SHIMMYING DUE TO TRACK BAR WHICH HAD 3/8 INCH PLAY IN THE BALL JOINT END. *SD

NHTSA ODI #490545

Mileage unknown · May 1, 1995
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TRUCK WILL STALL WITH NO WARNING. PROBLEM EVALUATED AND REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. TT

NHTSA ODI #964558

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 1995
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

WHEN VEHICLE IS AT IDLE SPEED AND AT COMPLETE STOP, IT EXPERIENCES VIBRATION/POOR ACCELERATION WHEN TAKING OFF. TT

NHTSA ODI #959923

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 1995
Suspension

FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #479547

Official recalls

3

95V088000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

May 12, 1995

WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE EXTRA KEYS ON A VEHICLE OPERATOR'S KEY RING CAN BECOME TEMPORARILY LODGED IN THE SCREW ACCESS HOLES IN THE BACK COVER OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN HAMPER THE STEERING WHEEL RETURN ORCAUSE THE IGNITION TO BE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK COVER WITH A REDESIGNED COVER.

94V043000 · Suspension:front:control Arm

Mar 9, 1994

SOME UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS CAN FAIL DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT. THE BOLTS ARE TOO SOFT TO WITHSTAND THE STRESSES IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND CAN BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE ATTACHING BOLTS OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BREAK, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS.

94V005000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Jan 12, 1994

TWO FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, WHICH COULD CAUSE ONE OR BOTH OF THE STRAP(S) TO SEPARATE, MISLOCATING THE FUEL TANKS OR ALLOW COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE FUEL TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN EITHER CASE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP(S) FAILURE RESULTS IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WILL BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

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

4

DP03002 · Steering Column Separation

Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column

MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.

RQ97012 · Steering Wheel And Column

Opened Sep 25, 1997 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

There is no summary currently available

PE94038 · Steering LOCK-UP/IMPEDIMNT

Opened May 2, 1994 · Closed Aug 9, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE94013 · Engine Fires

Opened Feb 9, 1994 · Closed Jun 30, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available