FaultScore

1989 Dodge Dakota engine problems

10 of the 88 complaints about the 1989 Dodge Dakota are about the engine — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 167,000 miles.

C

10

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 6 60.0%
Cooling System 2 20.0%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 1 10.0%
Gasoline 1 10.0%

Engine & Cooling across every Dodge Dakota year

1989 10 1.8%
1992 24 4.3%
1993 15 2.7%
1994 17 3.0%
1995 21 3.8%
1996 28 5.0%
1997 56 10.0%
1998 66 11.8%
1999 77 13.8%
2000 61 10.9%
2001 59 10.6%
2002 38 6.8%
2003 36 6.5%
2004 12 2.2%
2005 23 4.1%
2006 15 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 167,000 miles Grosse Pointe Park, MI Fire

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.

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.

Butler, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

MOTOR FAILED

NHTSA complaint #715294 — 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.

Joplin, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

EGR VALVE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #520406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Joplin, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VALVE COVER LEAKS OIL.

NHTSA complaint #520406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lithonia, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FLYWHEEL PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #484774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia C, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED PRIOR TO AND AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (89V-237). *SKD

NHTSA complaint #481354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia C, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL PAN LEAKS.

NHTSA complaint #481354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia C, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED 4 TIMES AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. (89V-237)

NHTSA complaint #482637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1989 Dodge Dakota problems

← Full 1989 Dodge Dakota report