NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Rack AND Pinion
2251.2%
Automatic Transmission
614.0%
Gasoline
37.0%
Frame AND Members
37.0%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR
37.0%
Clutch Assembly
24.7%
Gear BOX (Other Than Rack AND Pinion)
24.7%
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
24.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 9Apr 2008
Recalls on the 1988 Dodge Dakota
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
96V094000
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
THE FRAME CAN CRACK AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT AND/OR THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS CAN FRACTURE.
Risk: THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
88V074000
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
MACHINING ERROR IN LOCATING WHEEL STUD HOLES MAY PREVENT FULL SEATING OF BRAKE DRUM TO SHAFT FLANGE.
Risk: WHEEL STUDS COULD LOOSEN, ALLOWING WHEEL TO SEPARATEFROM THE TRUCK.
87V194000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY CONTAIN A PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLY THAT MAY STICK IN THE TOOTH BUTT UNENGAGED POSITION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WITH THEGEAR SHIFT LEVER IN PARK POSITION.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199609716,154 units in Canada
Steering
FRAME CRACKING IN THE AREA WHERE THE STEERING GEAR IS MOUNTED COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING GEAR SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME. THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE FRAME AND THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE FRAME IS ALREADY CRACKED, THE STEERING GEAR WELD NUTS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
Recall 1988075190 units in Canada
Suspension
THE NUTS USED TO ATTACH THE REAR ROAD WHEELS TO THE AXLE SHAFT MAY LOOSEN BECAUSE OF AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE AXLE SHAFT WHICH WILL NOT PERMIT FULL SEATING OF THE BRAKE DRUM ONTO THE AXLE SHAFT. THIS COULD RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: REAR AXLE SHAFTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Recall 1988002315 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the automatic transmissions may contain a park sprag rod assembly that may stick in the tooth butt (unengaged) position. If this occurs the vehicle may roll from a parked position and cause a crash. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and suspect park sprag rod assemblies will be replaced.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Pacifica, CACrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE PARKED IN IDLE POSITION, JUMPED OUT GEAR INTO REVERSE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION, SPEED UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #804999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynnwood, WACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #509977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterville, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DROVE/PARKED TRUCK IN GARAGE, WENT INTO HOUSE, NEIGHBOR NOTICED SMOKE/INFORMED DRIVER, TRUCK ENGULFED IN FLAMES/GARAGE ALSO, FIRE DEPT. PUT FLAMES OUT.
NHTSA complaint #987168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut Creek, CACrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE IN PARK WITH ENGINE ON AND IT WENT INTO REVERSE AND WENT INTO A HOUSE.PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #986128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #489160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #489633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 118,100 milesGlen Head, NY
STEERING
RE: STEERING RECALL AS ISSUED... NHTSA ACTION # PE96003 FOR DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLE. RECALL WAS FOR STEERING BOX "OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION" STEERING. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD A ISSUE WITH A WANDERING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR MANY YEARS. DEALER COULD NEVER FIND A PROBLEM. I FOUND THE STEERING RACK AND PINION MOUNTING POINTS STRESS FRACTURED, WELD NUT MOUNTS PULLED AWAY. VISUAL CRACKING AROUND AREA AT THE BACK OF THE CROSS MEMBER. DODGE SAID RECALL WAS ONLY FOR THE STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTS. WHY WAS THE RACK AND PINION MOUNTS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? ENTIRE RACK ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE ALL THESE YEARS BECAUSE OF A "DEFECT IN WELDING" FROM THE FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #10223107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
DECORATIVE END COVERS CAME OFF OF WHEEL NUT. WHEEL NUT CATCH 1/2 " OF THE END OF LUG BOLTS. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10105398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
WHEELS:HUB
DECORATIVE END COVERS CAME OFF OF WHEEL NUT. WHEEL NUT CATCH 1/2 " OF THE END OF LUG BOLTS. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10105398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canada, 00
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL RECALL NUMBER 88 V 074 (WHEEL, LUGS, NUTS). THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,950 milesFelton, DE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN EXHAUST LEAK. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hastings, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
AFTER MARKET BRAKE PAD RIVET FAILURE CAUSING SEPARATION.
NHTSA complaint #754766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dedham, MA
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
SPARE TIRE MOUNTING CABLE CORRODED, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM UNDER BODY MOUNT, AND ALLOWING SPARE TIRE TO FALL IN THE STREET.
NHTSA complaint #9002915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, NH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
GEAR LEVER DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE INTO PARK AND SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN PARK.
NHTSA complaint #731111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alsys, IL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
BELTS POPPED ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE (GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT- TIRE SIZE P235/75R15- DOTMKHLTH2R392)CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND JACKNIFE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED BEHIND TRUCK. NLM
NHTSA complaint #605621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virgina Beach, VA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE THREE TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED IN 1988. THE BUCKLE JUST CAME APART WHEN TRYING TO SNAP THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. ALSO, PASSENGER REAR BELT BUCKLE BROKE THREE TIMES. AK
NHTSA complaint #845255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Satellite Beach, FL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RECALL ON RACK AND PINION--REFUND REQUESTED FOR REPAIRS PREVIOUSLY DONE.
NHTSA complaint #512274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
CONSUMER BELIEVES POWER STEERING UNIT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ON STEERING/GEAR ATTACHMENT, INCOMPLETE REMEDY.
NHTSA complaint #514763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, KY
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
BOLTS TO RACK AND PINION BROKE LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO RACK AND PINION AND BUSHINGS DUE TO CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT, REPLACEMENT IS FAILING DUE TO BOLT LOOSENING.
NHTSA complaint #531426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottonwood, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #515151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottonwood, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION/FRAM CROSSMEMBER BUILT STURDY, RESULTING IN A SEPARATION.
NHTSA complaint #515151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia B, VA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
RECALL NOTICE SENT CONCERNING REINFORCEMENT OF THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER WHERE THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHES, HOWEVER WORK DENIED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #512348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plover, WI
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE TRUCK RUSTED OUT, LOST THE TIRE. MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #825164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bear, DE
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
VEHICLE ON RECALL. ACCORDING TO DEALER, WAS TOLD TO BRING VEHICLE IN & LEAVE IT. WOULD TAKE ONE DAY TO FIX. TOOK VEHICLE & LEFT IT. RETURNED TO PICK IT UP & WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS REPAIRED ON RACK & PINION DUE TO A BROKEN PART UNDER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #824224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, KY
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION BOLTS BROKE LOOSE AND CAUSED RACK AND PINION TO GO BAD, BUSHING FAILED CAUSING FRONT END TO BE OUT OF LINE, REPLACE RACK AND PINION.
NHTSA complaint #531426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver CIT, NM
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COUPLING BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #535119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sandusky, OH
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#96V094000) RACK AND PINION STEERING. CALLED DEALER & TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE MECHANIC. WAS TOLD NEEDED TO WAIT FOR SPECIAL WELDER & WOULD NOTIFY OWNER. RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE. CALLED BACK TO DEALER. MECHANIC AGAIN SAID NEEDED TO WAIT WITH OTHER VEHICLES FOR WELDER SPECIALIST TO DO THE REPAIRS ON STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #822785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALL 10-15 TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE AND FREEWAY TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #512436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wakefield, MA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RECALL WORK ON THE STEERING RACK AND PINION MOUNT IS UNABLE TO BE DONE DUE TO A LACK OF PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #527925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, TN
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RECALL 96V094000. DLR REFUSES TO SERVE RECALL BECAUSE TRUCK WAS DIRTY.
NHTSA complaint #818678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Breckville, OH
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL ON THE RACK AND PINION MOUNT; MANUFACTURER RECALL # 688, NHTSA RECALL#96V094. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS DAMAGED DURING RECALL REPAIR, SO HE NOTIFIED THE SERVICE MANANGER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED HIM THAT THE LOWER STEERING COUPLER HAD GONE BAD. OWNER HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T NEED REPLACING. OWNER THEN CONTACTED THAT MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SEVRICE LINE .
NHTSA complaint #818093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.