no report yet
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
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.
1994 Dodge DakotaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 166 owner complaints about the 1994 Dodge Dakota, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 14, 2013. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1994 Dodge Dakota has problems
166 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
25Power train3 crash/fire/injury
24Service brakes, hydraulic6 crash/fire/injury
23Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
22Air bags19 crash/fire/injury
20Steering6 crash/fire/injury
14Fuel system, gasoline
14Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
11Seats
11Seat belts
4610 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 25 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 24 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 23 | 3 |
| Air bags | 22 | 19 |
| Steering | 20 | 6 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 14 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 1 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Seat belts | 11 | 2 |
| 10 other systems | 46 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1994 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
Front: control arm
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.
no report yet
Tank assembly: mounting
Risk. IN EITHER CASE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP(S) FAILURE RESULTS IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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
1994 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
NHTSA crash tests
1994 Dodge Dakota safety ratings
1994 Dodge Dakota Regular Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1994 Dodge Dakota, and the recalls they led to.
- STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONNo recall
- ENGINE FIRESNo recall
- STEERING LOCK-UP/IMPEDIMNTNo recall
- STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMNLed to recall 95V-088
In owners' words
What Dakota owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE…
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED IMPROPERLY. THE CONSUMER CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP, DUE TO WRONG INFORMATION PRINTED ON THE DIP STICK. *JB
THE TRANSMISSION LOCK UP, IN PARK AND REVERSE TOOK TO DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION AND ALL FOUR TIRES WORN OUT THEY WERE GOOD YEAR TIRE
Own a 1994 Dakota?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.