IllustrationDROVE/PARKED TRUCK IN GARAGE, WENT INTO HOUSE, NEIGHBOR NOTICED SMOKE/INFORMED DRIVER, TRUCK ENGULFED IN FLAMES/GARAGE ALSO, FIRE DEPT. PUT FLAMES OUT. *AK
1988 Dodge Dakota
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 1988 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: 2 of 55 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 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
55 reportsVEHICLE STALLS DURING OPERATION . PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCED AT ALL SPEEDS. AND OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES.
VEHICLE HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING DUE TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LATCH FAILURE. *A K
WHILE IN PARK WITH ENGINE ON AND IT WENT INTO REVERSE AND WENT INTO A HOUSE.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
RACK PINION STEERING BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. *AK
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEARS IN WINTER MONTHS. *DSH
THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY JUST BREAKS OFF AND THE TRUCK LEAPS FOREWARD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
TRANSMISSIONS MAJOR GEAR TRAIN FAILED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE GEARS. *DSH
THE CAR NEVER HAD SWAY BARS AND THE MFG SAYS IT WAS BUILT WITH THEM WHICH MAKES THE STEERING ERRATIC AND LOSS CONTROL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT SPLIT IN HALF. TT
Official recalls
396V094000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
Jun 13, 1996
THE FRAME CAN CRACK AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT AND/OR THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD REINFORCEMENTS TO THE FRAME AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. IF THE FRAME IS ALREADY CRACKED, THE STEERING GEAR WELD NUTS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
88V074000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
May 4, 1988
MACHINING ERROR IN LOCATING WHEEL STUD HOLES MAY PREVENT FULL SEATING OF BRAKE DRUM TO SHAFT FLANGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEEL STUDS COULD LOOSEN, ALLOWING WHEEL TO SEPARATEFROM THE TRUCK.
Remedy: REPLACE AXLE SHAFTS AS NECESSARY.
87V194000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Dec 26, 1987
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY CONTAIN A PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLY THAT MAY STICK IN THE TOOTH BUTT UNENGAGED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WITH THEGEAR SHIFT LEVER IN PARK POSITION.
Remedy: ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLIES REPLACED.
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.