IllustrationHAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE BECAUSE WHEN CUTTING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF, THE FUEL PUMP STILL RUNS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
1989 Dodge Dakota
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 1989 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: 6 of 63 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 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
63 reportsMANUAL SHIFT 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION, IGNITION WAS ON , AND VEHICLE STALLED WHEN TURNING IGNITION, PUMPED THE STARTER, CRANKED TOO FAR, VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE, OCCUPNACY WAS OUT OF VEHICLE AND ARM GOT CAUGHT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND KNOCKED DOWN DRIVER. *AK
THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITHOUT EXCESSIVE EFFORT. *AK
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES, ONCE CAUSING ACCIDENT.
STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT: HAS TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS SINCE NOV. AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS. TOOK TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, ONE DIDN'T HAVE THE ARC WELDER , AND THE OTHER DEALER DIDN'T HAVE PARTS AND SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT BE GETTING THEM. *AK
RECALL WORK ON THE STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT WELD WAS NEVER COMPLETED.
RACK AND PINION FAILURE.
WAS DRIVING AND LOST CONTROL, WOULD NOT TURN THE STEERING RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS HAPPENED A YEAR A GO, RECEIVED RECALL # 96V094000, TOOK TO DEALER DOESN'T HAVE A WELDER . *AK
RECALL WORK ON THE STEERING RACK AND PINION MOUNT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE COMPLETED DUE TO PARTS MISSING.
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE INTERMITTENTLY STICKS/JAMS, OCCUPANT HAS TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO UNLOCK BUCKLE, DEALER SPRAYED WD40 LUBRICANT IN SEAT BELT LATCH, IT DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. *AK
Official recalls
301V232000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
Jul 6, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 PICKUP TRUCK CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES (BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 1988 - JUNE 1990) AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SHELBY PACKAGE (BUILT OCTOBER 1988 - JUNE 1989). 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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
96V094000 · 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.
89V237000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Dec 27, 1989
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
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.