IllustrationVEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE RUNNING . VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
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
What owners actually said
166 reportsI PURCHASED THIS VEHECLE USED, AND AT SUCH TIME IT WAS AGREED THAT ALL AND ANY DEFECTS WOULD BE REPAIRED. I DID NOT PURCHASE THIS DODGE PICKUP FROM THE DODGE DEALER. HOWEVER, THERE WERE CURTAIN THINGS THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED BY THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE DEALER ITEMS ONLY. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS THAT THE LATCH ON EACH SEATBACKS DOE…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHECLE USED, AND AT SUCH TIME IT WAS AGREED THAT ALL AND ANY DEFECTS WOULD BE REPAIRED. I DID NOT PURCHASE THIS DODGE PICKUP FROM THE DODGE DEALER. HOWEVER, THERE WERE CURTAIN THINGS THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED BY THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE DEALER ITEMS ONLY. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS THAT THE LATCH ON EACH SEATBACKS DOES NOT LOCK THE SEAT BACK, SO AS IF YOU HAD A SUDDEN STOP, THE SEATBACK COULD POSSIBLY ALLOW THE BACK TO TIP FORWARD ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE WHOLE SEAT ASSEMBLY TO MOVE FORWARD, CAUSING THE PERSON TO IMPACT THE DASH. BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE THIS WAY. I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT BECAUSE I HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER DODGE DAKOTA PICKUPS AND YOU HAVE TO PHYSICALLY MOVE THE LATCH UP TO UNLOCK THE SEATBACK SO THAT YOU THEN CAN MOVE THE WHOLE SEAT ASSEMBLY FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DODGE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ON THIS MATTER ,AND THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED THIS WAY. THEY CHARGED THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM OVER $500.00 TO REPAIR ONE SEAT ASSEMBLY, AND IT STILL ISN'T RIGHT. I ASKED THE DEALER FOR THE MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER COMPLAINT PHONE NUMBER AND THEY DID GIVE ME A NUMBER, WHICH I CALLED. THE INDIVIDUAL TOOK DOWN THE INFORMATION AND THEN TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A MATTER THAT WAS BETWEEN ME AND THE DEALER TO RESOLVE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OFF. PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION. THANKS!! *AK
WHILE DRIVING 40 -60 MPH TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF THE SET GEAR, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NOISY,NOT SHIFTING PAINT, ENGINE PROBLEMS
SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK. CONSUMER IS AFRAID IF IN AN ACCIDENT THEY WILL NOT HOLD HIM. RETRACT MECHANISM FOR SEAT BELTS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO RETRACT THE SEAT BELT WHEN REMOVED. * AK *ML
PROPORTIONAL VALVE IS DEFECTIVE. UNABLE TO GET PARTS ON A TIMELY BASIS, DEALER. *AK
HOOD LATCH FAILED, HOOD FLEW OPEN DAMAGING WINDSHIELD AND HOOD. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
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
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
FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS BLAMED FOR THE FOLLOWING SITUATION. VEHICLE'S OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL HOURS. 15 DAYS LATER, THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. DRIVER GOT OUT AFTER REALIZING THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE TRUCK RESTARTED ON ITS OWN AND PROCEEDED ACROS…
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FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS BLAMED FOR THE FOLLOWING SITUATION. VEHICLE'S OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL HOURS. 15 DAYS LATER, THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. DRIVER GOT OUT AFTER REALIZING THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE TRUCK RESTARTED ON ITS OWN AND PROCEEDED ACROSS A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY.
Official recalls
395V088000 · 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
4DP03002 · 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