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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
116.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
350.0%
150,000+ miles
233.3%
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.
Apr 1995peak 9Sep 2011
Recalls on the 1989 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
01V232000
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
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.
Risk: THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
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.
89V237000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2001200148 units in Canada
Steering
Certain 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. The steering gear can separate from the vehicle frame resulting in a loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident. Correction: 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.
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 199102310,092 units in Canada
Emissions
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 1105 - evaporative emissions. Defective evaporative canister.
Recall 198917887,817 units in Canada
Engine
ON VEHICLES WITH 2.2 LITRE OR 2.5 LITRE EFI(NON-TURBO) ENGINE, THE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY LEAK OIL CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: VALVE COVER GASKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED COVER AND RTV SEALANT APPLIED IN PLACE OF THE GASKET.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 167,000 milesGrosse Pointe Park, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING DOWN 1994 AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED A HUGE FIRE. MELTING ALL THE WIRING AND DESTROYING THE TRUCK. THE DETROIT FIREDEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE I HAD BASIC COVERAGE. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS A RECALL. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1993 AFTER THE RECALL. I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. LUCKILY THE POLICE AND FIRE WERE CLOSE AND THEY PUT IT OUT BEFORE IT BLEW UP. THE FREEWAY WAS CLOSED FOR A WHILE AFTER THIS HAPPENED. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE TO MAKE DODGE REPAIR THIS? IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 1 YEAR AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATE BUT IT WAS A WEEK.
NHTSA complaint #10096295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, OHCrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
THE TRUCK WAS IN PARK , LEAVING THE ENGINE IDLING AND GOT OUT TO OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR. UPON TURNING AROUND THE TRUCK WAS MOVING BACKWARDS OUT THE DRIVEWAY. RUNNING TO CATCH VEHICLE BEFORE IT REACHED THE STREET, DRIVER OPENED THE DOOR AND TRIED TO ENTER VEHICLE. DRIVER WA SKNOCKED TO THE PAVEMENT. VEHICLE PROCEEDED ACROSS THE STREET AND HEADWD TO MAIN ENTRANC EOF HOSPITAL. RUNNIN GOVER CEMENT PARKING STOPS OR THE CURB TURNED FRON TWHEELS TRUCK MADE A CIRCLE AND LANDED BACK OUT ON THE STREET. ATTAMPTING TO ENTER VEHICLE A SECOND TIME, DRIVER WAS AGAIN KNOCKED TO THE PAVEMENT, SUSTAINING A BROKEN COLLAR BONE/HEAD CONCUSSION AND SEVERE TISSUE AND KNEE DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #506449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklinville, NCCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MANUAL SHIFT 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION, IGNITION WAS ON , AND VEHICLE STALLED WHEN TURNING IGNITION, PUMPED THE STARTER, CRANKED TOO FAR, VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE, OCCUPNACY WAS OUT OF VEHICLE AND ARM GOT CAUGHT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND KNOCKED DOWN DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #809273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Memphis, AR1 injured
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WAS DRIVING AND LOST CONTROL, WOULD NOT TURN THE STEERING RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS HAPPENED A YEAR A GO, RECEIVED RECALL # 96V094000, TOOK TO DEALER DOESN'T HAVE A WELDER .
NHTSA complaint #808256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZCrash1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TWO GENERAL TIRES SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION, RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #506175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, MO1 killed
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK TO REVERSE BY ITSELF AND RAN OVER AND KILLED THE OWNER.SAME OCCURRENCE LAST FALL AND THE VEHICLE BY ITSELF HIT A BLDG.DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #986119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 209,000 milesOregon House, CA
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM STEERING THE VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS ON THE RACK AND PINION WERE CRACKED. AS A RESULT, THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCEEDED THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO RECEIVE REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V094000 STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHO FILED A REPORT AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 209,000. UPDATED 10/12/11*LJ UPDATED 10/14/11 *BF WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP IN A DITCH. UPDATED 10/18/11 UPDATED 10/26/11 UPDATED 10/31/11 UPDATED 3/30/12
NHTSA complaint #10425814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,980 milesGwinn, MI
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
WHEN SWITCHING FROM 4H TO 2H ON 89 DODGE DAKOTA ON FLOOR SHIFTER IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO ENGAGE AND WHEN IT DOES IT JARS THE VEHICLE TO A SIDE JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SUDDENLY.
NHTSA complaint #10184459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesHarker Heights, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTS INTO REVERSE OR IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE WILL ROLL DOWN A HILL. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO THE PARKING GEAR. NO EXAMINATION OR REPAIRS WERE MADE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 00V106000 REGARDING POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10171732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesIndianaoplis, IN
WHEELS
DT: CONSUMER STATES: WHEEL DIDN'T FIT HUB CORRECTLY AND IT WAS STRIPPING LUGS: NUTS AND STUDS WHEN HITTING SMALL BUMPS. THERE WAS NOTHING TO HOLD THEM. . DODGE SAID NEEDED A FACTORY RIM, AND THEY DIDN'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE. *AK UPDATED 01/09/07.
NHTSA complaint #10122018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesGrosse Pointe Park, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING DOWN 1994 AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED A HUGE FIRE. MELTING ALL THE WIRING AND DESTROYING THE TRUCK. THE DETROIT FIREDEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE I HAD BASIC COVERAGE. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS A RECALL. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1993 AFTER THE RECALL. I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. LUCKILY THE POLICE AND FIRE WERE CLOSE AND THEY PUT IT OUT BEFORE IT BLEW UP. THE FREEWAY WAS CLOSED FOR A WHILE AFTER THIS HAPPENED. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE TO MAKE DODGE REPAIR THIS? IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 1 YEAR AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATE BUT IT WAS A WEEK.
NHTSA complaint #10096295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,100 milesAmherst, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND MELTED.*MR *PH
NHTSA complaint #10053319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piqua, OH
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DISINTEGRATED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DAMAGE FOUND TO THE TIRE WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD AND NOT A DESIGN FLAW.(COOPER TRENDSETTER AW RADIAL TIRE P235 75R15, DOT NUMBER, VP HL CNA 7500)
NHTSA complaint #567300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lithia Spring, GA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION BOLTS FRACTURED ,CAUSING RACK AND PINION STEERING TO SEPARATE FROM FRAME, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #896510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bolinas, CA
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND TURNING RACK AND PINION STEERING SEPARATED FROM CROSS MEMBER OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V094000.
NHTSA complaint #890387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
TIRES
FRONT-LEFT TIRE BEGAN TO PEEL OFF THE CASING, SIMILAR TO THE 23575R15'S( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 21575R15 )
NHTSA complaint #729177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterville, ME
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
HAVING ALOT OF HOWLING IN THE DRIVESHAFT??AND THEY DON'T WHY.
NHTSA complaint #722000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bermingham, AL
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
RECALL 96V-094000/ STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLT FAILURE. CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, DRIVEABILITY OF THE VEHICLE WORSENED. CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #861833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Turlock, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND IT TAKE A WHILE TO RESTART. YH
NHTSA complaint #551454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poulsbo, WA
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
SPARE WHEEL FELL FROM CARRIER WHEN WINCH CABLE PARTED DUE TO WEAR/CORROSION. WHEN REPORTED TO DEALER, HE SAID THAT IT WAS HAPPENING A LOT LATELY. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND HE RESPONDED NO. A TIRE FALLING FROM UNDER VEHICLE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS CAN EASILY KILL PEOPLE IN OTHER VEHICLES, YET DEALER (AND MANUFACTURER?) SEEMED TO NOT CARE. SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE TRACKED AND A MORE PERMANENT DEVICE OTHER THAT FLIMSY, CORROSION PRONE CABLE BE USED TO SECURE THESE SPARE TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #717448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Butler, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MOTOR FAILED
NHTSA complaint #715294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. THEN IT MADE A CLUNKING NOISE.THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE & THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. WAS TOWED TO SHOP THE REAR END OF DRIVESHAFT WAS SHOT. HAD THE WRONG REAR END PUT IN VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE IT.
NHTSA complaint #845055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chico, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON BROKE APART, CAUSING SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #838864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tewksbury, MA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE FRAME IS CRACKED FROM THE STEERING GEAR ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #837765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crescent B, FL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING REPAIRED UNDER RECALL EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO ACTUAL PROBLEM, HOWEVER AFTER THE REPAIR CONSUMER'S POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE RACK-N-PINION WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #514613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crescent B, FL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STEERING REPAIRED UNDER RECALL EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO ACTUAL PROBLEM, HOWEVER AFTER THE REPAIR CONSUMER'S POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE RACK-N-PINION WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #514613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crescent B, FL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
STEERING REPAIRED UNDER RECALL EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO ACTUAL PROBLEM, HOWEVER AFTER THE REPAIR CONSUMER'S POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE RACK-N-PINION WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #514613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
NOTICE POWER STEERING NOT WORKING, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK AT P/S RACK, REPLACE RACK AND PINION.
NHTSA complaint #514613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sierra Vista, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE PAINT ON THE TRUCK STARTED BUBBLING UP AND BURSTING OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD.I CONTACTED THE REGIONAL OFFICE. THEY SENT A PERSON DOWN WHO TRIED TO TELL ME THAT THE PAINT WAS BUBBLING UP AND PEELING OFF BECAUSE OF THE OZONE. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THERE WERE OLDER VEHICLES IN THE JUNK YARD THAT HAD BETTER PAINT JOBS THAN MY TRUCK. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I HAD BOUGHT THE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY WITH THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. I TOLD HIM THAT IF HIS VEHICLE WAS AS GOOD AS ADVERTISED, THAT I SHOULD NOT NEED THE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY. AS IT WAS, I GOT THE 7/70,000, BUT THAT DID NOT COVER THE PAINT. I WAS TOTALLY DISSATISFIED WITH THE REGIONAL OFFICE. I WROTE A LETTER THAT WAS NEVER ANSWERED. I EVEN CALLED THE MAIN CHRYSLER OFFICE WITH NO RESPONSE FORTHCOMING.
NHTSA complaint #700019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Costa Mesa, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING.
NHTSA complaint #539658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
TH
NHTSA complaint #506499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.