24 of the
314 complaints about the 1992 Dodge Dakota are about the
engine — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
164,000 miles.
WELL MY TRUCK WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE RD AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF OUT OF NO WHERE AND I ALMOST GOT IN A COUPLE OF WRECKS BECAUSE OF IT FLICKERING AND I HAVE CHANGED AND FIXED EVERYTHING AND IT STILL DOSE IT SO IT LIKE A WIRE ISSUE OR SOMETHING BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF IT THEN MY ENGINE WILL LIKE STOP OR SOMETHING WHEN I AM DRIVING AND JERK MY TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BACKFIRE HELLA BAD LIKE GUNS ARE GOING OFF AND IT'S BLEW MY MUFFLER UP 10 TIMES AND BLEW MY CATILLAC CONVERTER UP 5 TIMES AND BLEW MY HEADERS OFF AND BROKE THE BOLTS INSIDE MY HEADS AND I ONLY HAVE 169 K MILES ON IT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING BECAUSE THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE RD AND IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK LIKE I CAME REALLY CLOSE I WAS GOING DONE THE FREE WAY AND IT LIKE STOPPED THEN JERKED ME INTO THE BARRIER BUT THANK GOD I AVOIDED IT THEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS FLICKERING OFF AND ON AND JERKING LIKE IT DOSE I HAD 2 WHEELS IN A 5FT DITCH BECAUSE OF THAT GOING 55 MPH I WOULD HAVE DIED IF I WENT FULLY IN IT THEN FOR THE BACKFIRE AND BLOWING MY WHOLE EXHAUST UP I HAVE SEEN 5 PEOPLE WRECK BECAUSE OF MY EXHUST SYSTEM THEY WHERE FINE BUT THERE CAR WASN'T BECAUSE OF MY EXHUST AND I ONLY GET LIKE 4 MPG I LIVE LIKE 10 MILES FROM WORK AND I HAVE TO FILL IT EVERYDAY BECAUSE IT SUCKS HELLA GAS JUST ONLY 20 MILES ROUND TRIP FROM FULL IT'S BASICALLY ON EMPTY LIKE THE NEXT DAY I GO TO THE GAS STATION MY GAS LIGHT COMES ON
NHTSA complaint #11402594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 164,000 milesBeverly, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE DAKOTA. HE HEARD A CHATTER NOISE AND THE LIFTER NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LIFTER FAILED IN THE CAM SHAFT WHICH AFFECTED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000.
NHTSA complaint #10189417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,600 milesSilver Spring, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON DAYS OVER 90 DEGREE TEMPERATURE THE ENGINE WILL REV VERY LOUD AT FIRST START, WHILE VEHICLE WILL BARELY MOVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN CLUTCH TWICE AND REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THE REMEDIES DID NOT HELP. *JB THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHILE AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WHEN DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS THEN KICK INTO NORMAL SPEED, MAKE NOISE, AND THEN STOP. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10017875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sanatoga, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE DOOR ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER-SIDE FAILED WHEN THE LOWER HINGE COLLAPSED INTO THE DOOR. THIS CAUSED THE DOOR TO BE MISALIGNED, PREVENTING THE LATCH FROM ENGAGING LATCH BOLT. THE FUEL GAUGE READS 1/4 SHORTLY AFTER FUELING AND WILL STAY THEIR UNTIL THE TANK IS ALMOST EMPTY. THE RADIATOR CORE FINS DISINEGRATED AND/OR FELL OUT OF THE RADIATOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.
NHTSA complaint #754980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #892899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 09-07-97(TIMING CHAIN), CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE BULLETIN AND THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND WAS REPAIRED DUE TO TIMING BELT FAILURE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR AND FEELS THE REPAIR WAS MISDIAGNOSED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #557706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carl Junction, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINES HAVE HIGH FAILURE RATE OF BUSHING FOR OIL PUMP DRIVE SHAFT. THIS CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR OF DISTRIBUTOR, WHICH WILL BREAK OFF THE END OF THE ROTOR, CAUSING INSTANT ENGINE FAILURE, LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE IS NO WARNING, SO IS VERY DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (I WAS VERY NEARLY REARENDED). THIS FAILURE IS LISTED AS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON INTERNET SITES SUCH AS CAR POINT AND THE REPAIR PARTS ON ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. IF A INEXPERIENCED DRIVER HAS THIS OCCUR, AND DOES NOT CORRECTLY RESPOND SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WILL OCCUR. DODGE DOES NOT HAVE A REPAIR POLICY ON THIS. I AM AN ENGINEER, CAN GIVE MORE MUCH MORE DETAIL.
NHTSA complaint #736078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Point, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH, AND VEHICLE JUST LOST TOTAL POWER.
NHTSA complaint #865437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hayward, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR DEVELOPED A LEAK AROUND THE TOP, WHERE THE TOP AND BODY COME TOGETHER.
NHTSA complaint #513901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wausau, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT BROKE, ALSO OIL PUMP SHAFT BUSHING WORE OUT.
NHTSA complaint #515279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingston, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
PLATE INSIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #507270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingston, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING GEAR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #507270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Renton, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF, WHEN RESTARTED OVERHEATING OF RADIATOR OCCURRED, TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP, OPENED THE HOOD AND RADIATOR CAP EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #801287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Renton, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF, WHEN RESTARTED OVERHEATING OF RADIATOR OCCURRED, TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP, OPENED THE HOOD AND RADIATOR CAP EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #801287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.