IllustrationUPON GOING OVER CURB AND LOSING CONRTOL OF VEHICLE, STEERING GEAR BROKE OFF FROM THE CHASSIS.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Dakota years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED TO EITHER SIDE, MAKING DRIVER LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, & MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK
RACK AND PINION DISCONNECTS, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING.
GAS TANK CAP REPLACED.
WHEN TRUCK IS IN PARK IT JUMPS OUT OF GEAR, PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE SPARE TIRE FALL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
WHILE GETTING INTO VEHICLE, DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACKWARDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AFTER 20,000 MILES. *AK
SEAT BELTS IN PASSENGER SIDE ARE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT OF RETRACTOR. TT
LEFT REAR DRUM FAILED; ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF BRAKE DRUM OUTSIDE OF BOLT HOLE PATTERN FAILED; NOTHING HOLDING BRAKE DRUM WHILE IN OPERATION; LOST CONTROL. TT
Official recalls
287V050000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.