Model year record

1994 Dodge Dakota

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 240 owner complaints on file.

Dodge Dakota, 1987–1996 generation
Pictured: the 1987–1996 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V088000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
293,043
Reported to NHTSA
1995-05-12
Owners notified
1995-07-17

Defect description

WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE EXTRA KEYS ON A VEHICLE OPERATOR'S KEY RING CAN BECOME TEMPORARILY LODGED IN THE SCREW ACCESS HOLES IN THE BACK COVER OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN HAMPER THE STEERING WHEEL RETURN ORCAUSE THE IGNITION TO BE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK COVER WITH A REDESIGNED COVER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V043000

Suspension: front: control arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,500
Reported to NHTSA
1994-03-09
Owners notified
1994-04-14

Defect description

SOME UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS CAN FAIL DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT. THE BOLTS ARE TOO SOFT TO WITHSTAND THE STRESSES IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND CAN BREAK.

Safety risk

IF THE ATTACHING BOLTS OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BREAK, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V005000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
9,000
Reported to NHTSA
1994-01-12
Owners notified
1994-02-04

Defect description

TWO FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, WHICH COULD CAUSE ONE OR BOTH OF THE STRAP(S) TO SEPARATE, MISLOCATING THE FUEL TANKS OR ALLOW COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE FUEL TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

IN EITHER CASE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP(S) FAILURE RESULTS IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WILL BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar18500 mi
Air bags: frontal16180,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission13170,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13—
Seats: front assembly: recliner8120,000 mi
Air bags7500 mi
Electrical system: ignition7—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly5189,972 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5—
Suspension: front5—
Electrical system: wiring4161,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4—
Tires4—
Vehicle speed control4—
Wheels4—
Electrical system3—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Power train: manual transmission3—
Seat belts: front: retractor3—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments3—
Unknown or other373,678 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch270,102 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Seat belts2—
Seats2169,900 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint234,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2—
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: driveline1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Seat belts: front1170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist151,000 mi
Steering1—
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: body: tailgate1—
Structure: frame and members1235,000 mi
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint134,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1993 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ97012STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Other Dodge Dakota model years

All Dodge Dakota recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.