Owners have filed 159 complaints
about the 1993 Dodge Dakota with NHTSA between 1995 and 2017.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 19 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 18
Against the median year of the Dodge Dakota. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
23.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 39
23% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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.
Under 1,000 miles
215.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
17.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
323.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
215.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
430.8%
150,000+ miles
17.7%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1993 Dodge Dakota Regular Cab
—
—
—
—
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.
Feb 1995peak 8Oct 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Dodge Dakota
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP03002Opened 7 May 2003Closed 22 Jul 2003STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
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 IDENT...
Recalls on the 1993 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
06E049000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
93V082000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SOME OF THE ABS EQUIPPED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN UNDERSIZED BRAKE RETURN CHECK VALVE. IN INCIDENTS WHERE HARD BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT IS APPLIED ON LOW FRICTION ROAD SURFACES, LIKE RAIN COVERED STREETS, THE VALVES MAY FAIL, CAUSING THE ABS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CREATES EXCESS BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND MAY CAUSE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON.
Risk: LACK OF FRONT WHEEL ABS COULD CAUSE THE FRONT WHEELBRAKES TO LOCK, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1993077111 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes, the hydraulic control unit may contain an undersized brake return check valve. This could result in high pedal effort ABS stops and the check valve locking in a continuous return mode, thereby defeating the front wheel ABS function. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and the return check valve will be replaced on suspect units.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 105,618 milesYukon, OKCrash
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 1993 DODGE DAKOTA WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX TIRES. HE STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE BLOWOUT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FALL INTO A DITCH; IN ADDITION, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,618 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,621.
NHTSA complaint #10198311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesCordova, TN1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE CONSUMER WORKED FOR A GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE A DECOMMISSIONED VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD SEPARATED FROM THE MUFFLER. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE DO TO THE EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #10071897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaver Falls, PAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE, OPENED THE HOOD AND VIEWED THE ENGINE ON FIRE. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10058072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Latham, NY1 injured
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE LAW FIRM REPRESENTING CONSUMER EXPLAINS THAT THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND BACKED OVER HIM, CONSUMER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT).
NHTSA complaint #563975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cortaro, AZCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEATBACK FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING DRIVERS HEAD TO HIT REAR WINDOW.
NHTSA complaint #761190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Latham, NY1 injured
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE LAW FIRM REPRESENTING CONSUMER EXPLAINS THAT THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND BACKED OVER HIM, CONSUMER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT).
NHTSA complaint #563975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 3 milesMount Clare, WV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1993 DODGE DAKOTA HIGH BEAM FLASHING ON AND OFF
NHTSA complaint #11032270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3 milesMount Clare, WV
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1993 DODGE DAKOTA HIGH BEAM FLASHING ON AND OFF
NHTSA complaint #11032270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesPort Orchard, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10610462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,618 milesYukon, OKCrash
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 1993 DODGE DAKOTA WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX TIRES. HE STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE BLOWOUT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FALL INTO A DITCH; IN ADDITION, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,618 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,621.
NHTSA complaint #10198311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesMaple Shade, NJ
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
CONSUMER HAD A 1993 DODGE DAKOTA AND A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AFTER 32,000 MI. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE THAT WAS BEING HEARD WAS NORMAL. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10103652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesCincinnati, OH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING, THE HOOD BLEW INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAIM.
NHTSA complaint #10092259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesEast Brunswick, NJ
VISIBILITY
VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND CARED FOR. LARGE CHUCKS OF PAINT PEELING FROM HOOD MOMENTARILY DISTRACT OR STARTLE DRIVER AND HAVE CAUSED SITUATIONS WHERE AN ACCIDENT WAS JUST BARELY AVOIDED. THE LAST INCIDENT A LARGE SHEET OF THE PAINT COVERED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING THE OPERATOR'S VIEW DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO AVOID COLLISION BY HITTING BRAKES AND TURNING ONTO THE ROADSIDE GRASS, AFTER JUMPING CURB AND NARROWLY MISSING A GUARD RAIL DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK WAS A BROKEN BALL JOINT AND A BENT CONTROL ARM. IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE HAD THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED! THE AFFECTED PAINT HAS BEEN SANDED AND PRIMED BUT OTHER SPOTS CONTINUE TO PEEL UP .
NHTSA complaint #10088382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesCordova, TN1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE CONSUMER WORKED FOR A GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE A DECOMMISSIONED VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD SEPARATED FROM THE MUFFLER. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE DO TO THE EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #10071897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesQuinton, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RED AND WHITE 93 DAKOTA. WHITE PAINT CHIPPING OFF. RED IS GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10069010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING ON THE ROOF OF THE CAB AND THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK. THE AREA WHERE THE PAINT HAS PEELED HAS NOW RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #10069869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenacres, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE NOT STARTED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PAINT DUE TO IT STARTED PEELING REALLY BAD A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. A FRIEND OF MINE RECOMMENDED CONTACTING THE ZONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM DODGE TO SEE IF THEY WILL CORRECT THE ISSUE. I AM GOING CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE REPRESENTATIVE'S NAME. THE PAINT STARTED FLAKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO, NOTHING TO BE REALLY ALARMED AT. I JUST CHALKED IT UP TO NORMAL WEAR. TWO YEARS OR THREE YEARS AGO THE PAINT STARTED PEALING OFF IN SHEETS. A LIGHT BREEZE WILL FLAKE OFF A SHEET OF PAINT. NOW RUST IS STARTING TO SHOW ON THE AREAS THAT HAS HAD PAINT FLAKE OFF. PAINT HAS COME OFF THE HOOD AND CAB OF THE TRUCK. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED. I LIKE YOUR WEBSITE. I FOUND SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OF MY TRUCK ON YOUR SITE, AT LEAST I KNOW THAT I AM NOT HEARING THINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.
NHTSA complaint #10070938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesHopewell, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT A USED 1993 DODGE DAKATO IN APRIL OF 96, AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE PAINT WAS ALREADY FLAKING OFF IN LARGE PIECES(BLUE/SILVER), AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REBUILT ONCE(60,000 MILES). SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE ALL OF THE PAINT IS GONE OFF THE HOOD AND ROOF, THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT AGAIN($1803.00), AND I REPLACED THE OVERHEAD CAM SENSOR 2X WITHIN 10 DAYS.I CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THE PAINT FLAKING AND THEY OFFERED NO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10063632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaver Falls, PAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE, OPENED THE HOOD AND VIEWED THE ENGINE ON FIRE. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10058072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rawlins, WY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE REAR BRAKES. *PH THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10055542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesRawlins, WY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS LOCKED UP THE FRONT WHEEL, BUT THE REAR WHEEL KEPT TURNING. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL . *AK THE CONSUMER ALMOST WRECKED 4-5 TIMES WHEN SLIPPERY. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FOUND LEAKING AND THE ABS DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FAILED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10051750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesRawlins, WY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS LOCKED UP THE FRONT WHEEL, BUT THE REAR WHEEL KEPT TURNING. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL . *AK THE CONSUMER ALMOST WRECKED 4-5 TIMES WHEN SLIPPERY. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FOUND LEAKING AND THE ABS DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FAILED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10051750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMohawk, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
ELECTRIC BLUE PAINT ON EVERY DAKOTA LITERALLY FLAKING OFF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE RIGHT DOWN TO THE PRIMER,HAS TO BE A PAINT DEFECT,CHRYSLER SAYS TOO BAD. EVERY DODGE THAT IS THIS COLOR LOOKS THIS WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10025320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Princeton, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO START AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centreville, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, BUT WHEN YOU STOP AT LIGHT OR SIGN THE VEHCLE WILL STALL. YOU CAN EVEN PUT IN NEUTRAL WHEN YOU STOP AND STILL STALLS. NOW THE TRUCK IS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING. IT BACK FIRES AND RUNS ROUGH FOR A MIN. TO START YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE THROLLE DOWN FOR A MIN. HAS HAD FULL TUNE UP AND NEW CATALITIC CONVERT.
NHTSA complaint #10003299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Charles, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT ON HOOD AND ROOF BEGAN TO BUBBLE (WHITE CHALKY APPEARANCE) AND PAINT BEGAN PEELING. MR
NHTSA complaint #768442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spencer Port, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT PAINT IS PEELING ONTO THE STRUCTURE AND BODY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, PLEASE CALL FEDERAL TRADE COMISSION AT 877-382-4357, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8020451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stevens Point, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS HAS OCCURRED TO OTHER OWNERS OF DODGE DAKOTAS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #762708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pilot Mountain, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
BRAKE ROTOR AND DRUM WARPED DUE TO HEAT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #762195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Latham, NY1 injured
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE LAW FIRM REPRESENTING CONSUMER EXPLAINS THAT THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND BACKED OVER HIM, CONSUMER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT).
NHTSA complaint #563975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cortaro, AZCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEATBACK FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING DRIVERS HEAD TO HIT REAR WINDOW.
NHTSA complaint #761190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.