Model year record

1994 Dodge Dakota

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

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

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.