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1988 Dodge DakotaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 55 owner complaints about the 1988 Dodge Dakota, most often about the steering. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

80
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years76% below the Dakota median · #21 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints557 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage118kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 2, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Dodge Dakota has problems

55 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering260
Power train102
Engine and engine cooling42
Structure30
Seat belts20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Wheels20
Equipment20
Fuel system, gasoline20
5 other systems72

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1988 Dodge Dakota recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Recall 96V-094 · Jun 13, 1996 · 140,000 vehicles

Risk. THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 87V-194 · Dec 26, 1987 · 3,500 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WITH THEGEAR SHIFT LEVER IN PARK POSITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Dakota year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Dakota median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Dakota owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

RE: STEERING RECALL AS ISSUED... NHTSA ACTION # PE96003 FOR DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLE. RECALL WAS FOR STEERING BOX "OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION" STEERING. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD A ISSUE WITH A WANDERING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR MANY YEARS. DEALER COULD NEVER FIND A…
Complaint 10223107 · Apr 2, 2008 · 118,100 miles
VEHICLE ON RECALL. ACCORDING TO DEALER, WAS TOLD TO BRING VEHICLE IN & LEAVE IT. WOULD TAKE ONE DAY TO FIX. TOOK VEHICLE & LEFT IT. RETURNED TO PICK IT UP & WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS REPAIRED ON RACK & PINION DUE TO A BROKEN PART UNDER VEHICLE. *AK
Complaint 824224 · Jun 12, 1998
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#96V094000) RACK AND PINION STEERING. CALLED DEALER & TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE MECHANIC. WAS TOLD NEEDED TO WAIT FOR SPECIAL WELDER & WOULD NOTIFY OWNER. RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE. CALLED BACK TO DEALER. MECHANIC AGAIN SAID NEEDED TO WAIT WITH OTHER VEHICLES FOR WELDER…
Complaint 822785 · Apr 24, 1998

Own a 1988 Dakota?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.