1994 Dodge Dakota Problems and Recalls (163 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1994 Dodge Dakota is Transmission / driveline (14% of 163 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 163 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 1994 Dodge Dakota?

22 of 163 filings named Transmission / driveline (14% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Brakes (20 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Fuel system, Suspension, and Steering. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1993 has 129 reports on file; this year has 163. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1994 Dodge Dakota

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  4. Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 22 complaints · 13.5% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 32
  • Fires 3
  • Injuries 21
  • Deaths 0
All Dodge Dakota years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 22 of 163 owner complaints (13.5%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 22 complaints, 13.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 crash reports 22 · 13.5% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 20 complaints, 12.3% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 6 crash reports 20 · 12.3% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 19 complaints, 11.7% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 15 crash reports 19 · 11.7% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 17 complaints, 10.4% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 17 · 10.4% Steering (STEERING): 13 complaints, 8.0% of reports Steering (STEERING) 3 crash reports 1 fire reports 13 · 8.0% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 11 complaints, 6.8% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 crash reports 11 · 6.8% Engine (ENGINE): 9 complaints, 5.5% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 fire reports 9 · 5.5% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 9 complaints, 5.5% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 9 · 5.5% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 5 complaints, 3.1% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 5 · 3.1% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 132 complaints, 81.0% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 29 crash reports 2 fire reports 132 · 81.0% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 22 13.5% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 20 12.3% 6 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 19 11.7% 15 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 17 10.4% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Steering (STEERING) 13 8.0% 3 crashes · 1 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 11 6.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 9 5.5% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 9 5.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 5 3.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 132 81.0% 29 crashes · 2 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 1995; the first recall shown was reported in Jan 1994. 1995-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 1995-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 1995-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 1995-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 1996-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 1996-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 1996-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 1996-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 1997-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 1997-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 1997-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 1997-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 1998-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 1998-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 1998-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 1998-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 1999-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 1999-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 1999-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 1999-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2000-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2000-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2000-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2001-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2001-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2003-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2003-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jan 1994 Apr 2013 Recall campaign 94V005000 ◆ Recall campaign 94V005000 Recall campaign 94V043000 ◆ Recall campaign 94V043000 Recall campaign 95V088000 ◆ Recall campaign 95V088000 Recall campaign 06E049000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E049000 Investigation PE94013 ● Investigation PE94013 Investigation PE94038 ● Investigation PE94038 Investigation RQ97012 ● Investigation RQ97012 Investigation DP03002 ● Investigation DP03002
  • Campaign 95V088000 was reported 92 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q1 Owner reports 12
1995-Q2 Owner reports 12
1995-Q3 Owner reports 15
1995-Q4 Owner reports 10
1996-Q1 Owner reports 8
1996-Q2 Owner reports 9
1996-Q3 Owner reports 6
1996-Q4 Owner reports 6
1997-Q1 Owner reports 3
1997-Q2 Owner reports 5
1997-Q3 Owner reports 3
1997-Q4 Owner reports 6
1998-Q1 Owner reports 4
1998-Q2 Owner reports 5
1998-Q3 Owner reports 5
1998-Q4 Owner reports 4
1999-Q1 Owner reports 4
1999-Q2 Owner reports 2
1999-Q3 Owner reports 3
1999-Q4 Owner reports 3
2000-Q1 Owner reports 3
2000-Q2 Owner reports 2
2000-Q3 Owner reports 3
2000-Q4 Owner reports 1
2001-Q1 Owner reports 2
2001-Q2 Owner reports 2
2001-Q4 Owner reports 2
2002-Q2 Owner reports 3
2002-Q4 Owner reports 2
2003-Q2 Owner reports 2
2003-Q3 Owner reports 1
2003-Q4 Owner reports 2
2004-Q1 Owner reports 2
2004-Q4 Owner reports 1
2005-Q1 Owner reports 2
2005-Q2 Owner reports 3
2006-Q4 Owner reports 2
2010-Q4 Owner reports 1
2011-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 94V005000
Recall campaign 1 94V043000
Recall campaign 1 95V088000
Recall campaign 1 06E049000
Defect investigation 1 PE94013
Defect investigation 1 PE94038
Defect investigation 1 RQ97012
Defect investigation 1 DP03002
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Fuel system, Suspension, and Steering.

  1. Recall campaign 06E049000

    Safety recall 06E049000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 94V005000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    IN EITHER CASE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP(S) FAILURE RESULTS IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
    Remedy:
    THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WILL BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 94V043000

    Suspension

    Report date
    Component:
    Suspension (SUSPENSION)
    Consequence:
    IF THE ATTACHING BOLTS OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BREAK, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
    Remedy:
    REPLACE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 95V088000

    Steering

    Report date
    Component:
    Steering (STEERING)
    Consequence:
    THIS CONDITION CAN HAMPER THE STEERING WHEEL RETURN ORCAUSE THE IGNITION TO BE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK COVER WITH A REDESIGNED COVER.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 9 of 163 complaints · page 1 of 7
2013-05-14Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10512159
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
2011-02-27Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10384678
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DODGE DAKOTA FRAME ROTTING OUT TOYOTA RECALLED THEIRS THE TRUCK IN GREAT SHAPE AND I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM COULD CAUSE DEATH IN CRASH.*TR
2010-10-26Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 10362526
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DRIVING DOWN ROAD, ABOUT TO TURN RIGHT, BUT AIRBAG DEPLOYED BEFORE I WAS OFF THE MAIN ROAD. HAD TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. HAD SLOWED DOWN TO APP. 10 MPH TO MAKE TURN. ROAD CLEAR. HAD MADE THIS TURN MANY TIMES BEFORE (ON WAY TO WORK). *TR
2006-11-19EXTERIOR LIGHTINGUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10173803
CrashFireInjuryDeath
NIGHT DRIVING, SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE IN CAB. HEADLAMPS WENT OFF THEN CAME BACK ON AFTER 5 TO 10 SECONDS. MOVED HEADLAMP SWITCH IN AND OUT BUT CONDITION STILL PERSISTED. LUCKILY I WAS LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM HOME ON DIVIDED HWY WITH NO TRAFFIC. IF LAMP SWITCH IS OFF THEN THERE IS NO SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SMOKE. WHEN LAMP SWITCH IS IN EITHER THE PARKING OR THE HEADLAMP POSITION, CAN SMELL ELECTRICAL SMOKE AND LIGHT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS SECOND FAILURE IN 2 YEARS. LAMP SWITCH FAILED. *JB
2006-11-13Airbags (AIR BAGS)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10173364
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN DRIVER SIDE COLLISION. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING. THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUFFERED OF HYPERTHERMIA DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED.
2005-05-27Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10122295
CrashFireInjuryDeath
FRONT SEAT BOLT-DRIVER SIDE BROKE WITH SEAT GOING STRAIGHT BACK INTO BACK SEAT-REACHING FOR WALLET BOTH TIMES IT BROKE!
2005-05-17Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10121159
CrashFireInjuryDeath
NO FAILURE JUST YET. EVERY SO OFTEN THE AIR BAG, ABS LIGHT COMES ON ONCE THAT HAPPENS THE FAN STOPS WORKING, THE POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK. NOW MY HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK AT ALL BUT MY PARKING LIGHTS WILL. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE DEALER TO FIX IT UNDER A RECALL THEY WON'T DO IT. I KNOW IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
2005-05-15Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10120936
CrashFireInjuryDeath
SUDDEN NEAR-COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE BOLT HOLDING MASTER CYLINDER IN PLACE TO HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR. ON 05-14-2005, MY 18 YEAR OLD SON COMPLETED HIS SHIFT AT WORK. HE WENT OUT TO OUR 1994 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP AND STARTED THE ENGINE. AS HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HE HEARD A METALLIC NOISE AS IF SOMETHING HAD BROKEN. HE DROVE TO OUR NEARBY RESIDENCE AT VERY LOW SPEED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, BUT HE REPORTED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE. AT OUR RESIDENCE, MY MECHANIC AND I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I AM A 21-YEAR EXPERIENCED POLICE COLLISION INVESTIGATOR. WE FOUND THAT THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) BOLT HOLDING THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER TO THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR (AKA: HYDROBOOST) HAD BROKEN OFF. THE BOLT APPEARS TO BE A LOW GRADE STUD THAT IS PRESSED INTO THE FORWARD COVER OF THE HYDROBOOST UNIT. THE BOLT / STUD IS OF SMALL DIAMETER FOR SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT. IT APPEARED TO BE OVER-TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY (MOST LIKELY), OR WORE OUT DUE TO METAL FATIGUE (LESS LIKELY AS THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES ON IT). THERE IS A SECOND BOLT HOLDING THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE HYDROBOOST. THE SECOND BOLT HELD IN PLACE, ALLOWING REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FALLING DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT AT ABOUT A 35 DEGREE ANGLE. HAD THIS DEFECT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR WHEN PULLING A LOAD, A CATASTROPHIC COLLISION WOULD HAVE LIKELY OCCURRED. THE TWO BOLTS APPEAR TO BE TOO SMALL IN DIAMETER FOR ANY VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY A LIGHT PICKUP TRUCK. ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE IS A 1994 MODEL YEAR, IT IS STILL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I LIVE IN A SEMI-ARID AREA, SO THERE IS NO RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION AND IS PARKED IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OTHERWISE EXTREMELY RELIABLE.
2005-01-14SUSPENSIONUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10106359
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I HAVE A "PRISTINE" DODGE DAKOTA THAT I PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT CURRENTLY HAS 34,500 MILES ON IT AND I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BALL-JOINTS/ UPPER & LOWER/BOTH SIDES. I HAVE HEARD OF RECALLS FOR DAKOTA BALL-JOINTS. DID ANY OF THE RECALLS COVER A 1994 MODEL ? - PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *JB

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1994 Dodge Dakota?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 22 of 163 reports (14%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1994 Dodge Dakota?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Fuel system, Suspension, and Steering. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1994 Dodge Dakota?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources