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1987 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1987 Dodge Dakota are lower than the model-year median of 166.

About this comparison →
20Owner complaints

Model-year median: 166

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19851
198620
198755
198863
198963
1990
Compare all Dakota years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Steering
5Engine And Engine Cooling
3Seat Belts
3Structure
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Equipment
1Power Train
1Seats
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

20 reports
69,000 miles · Jun 22, 2008
Structure

THE SPARE TIRE RETAINER FAILED, ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH FROM IT'S MOUNT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FALL TO THE ROAD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE SPARE TIRE IS HELD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BY A RETAINER ATTACHED TO A STEEL CABLE. THE STEEL CABLE IS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF TENSION SUPPORTING THE SPARE TIRE TH…

Read full complaint

THE SPARE TIRE RETAINER FAILED, ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH FROM IT'S MOUNT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FALL TO THE ROAD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE SPARE TIRE IS HELD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BY A RETAINER ATTACHED TO A STEEL CABLE. THE STEEL CABLE IS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF TENSION SUPPORTING THE SPARE TIRE THE STEEL CABLE HAD DEVELOPED CORROSION TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT SIMPLY SNAPPED, ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL TO THE ROADWAY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERWAY. THE AREA OF FAILURE FROM CORROSION IS HIDDEN FROM VIEW. WITHOUT SOME DISASSEMBLY THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO ASCERTAIN A FAILURE WAS DEVELOPING. THE FAILED PARTS ARE IN MY POSSESSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231936

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

1987 DODGE DAKOTA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED BEFORE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB

NHTSA ODI #10207185

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2001
Steering

THE 1988-1990 DAKOTAS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS CONCERN WHY NOT THE 1987? 01V232000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #753293

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #886593

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT A FIRE STARTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE DUE TO FACT THAT IT BURNT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876941

Mileage unknown · May 1, 1998
Structure

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH THE FRAME BROKE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROLBEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #822988

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 1998
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #529915

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 1997
Structure

CROSS MEMBER THAT HOLDS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE WHERE THE BOLTS HOLD IT TO THE FRAME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #518693

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 1997
Seat Belts

BOTH BUCKLES BROKE WHERE THE PLASTIC ON THE BUCKLE ATTACHWS TO THE BELT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #518201

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 1997
Steering

RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR BROKE OFF FROM THE CHASSIS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #518960

Official recalls

2

87V050000 · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

Apr 14, 1987

SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM CABLES MAY PARTIALLY DISENGAGE AND BIND AT THE CARBURETOR THROTTLE LEVER ATTACHMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THROTTLE WOULD STAY PARTIALLY OPEN WHEN ACCELERATORPEDAL IS RELEASED.

Remedy: INSTALL A WASHER AT SPEED CONTROL CABLE TO CARBURETOR THROTTLE LEVER ATTACHMENT TO ELIMINATE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.

86V115000 · Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable

Aug 18, 1986

THESE TRUCKS WERE EQUIPPED WITH REAR PARK BRAKE CABLES WHICH CAUSED LIMITED REAR BRAKE SHOE TRAVEL RESULTING IN THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM NOT HOLDING THE VEHICLE IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION WHEN PARKED ON A 20% GRADE, AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 105. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE TRUCK IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND THE PARKING BRAKE SET, IT MAY ROLL BACK CAUSING DAMAGE OR AN ACCIDENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: REPLACE BOTH REAR PARKING BRAKE CABLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.