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1991 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 166.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 3 of 128 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

60 reports
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75,000 miles · Dec 5, 2017
Power TrainService Brakes

ABS FOUND FLASHING CODE 7,PERFORMEDPPT, FOUND MODULE BAD.( CHECK SAFETY RECALL F05) WHEN PERFORMING RECALL A/T MANUAL VALVE , FOUND DISCOLORATION IN TRANSMISSION FLUID POSSIBLE COOLER RESTRICTION IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN CONDITION .. TECH TOLD THIS CUSTOMER THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION TRUCK ONLY HAS 75000 ACTUAL…

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ABS FOUND FLASHING CODE 7,PERFORMEDPPT, FOUND MODULE BAD.( CHECK SAFETY RECALL F05) WHEN PERFORMING RECALL A/T MANUAL VALVE , FOUND DISCOLORATION IN TRANSMISSION FLUID POSSIBLE COOLER RESTRICTION IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN CONDITION .. TECH TOLD THIS CUSTOMER THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION TRUCK ONLY HAS 75000 ACTUAL MILE...

NHTSA ODI #11052471

120,000 miles · Oct 9, 2008
Power TrainCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, IT SUDDENLY ROLLED IN REVERSE WITH THE SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S DOOR CRASHED INTO THE GATE AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, IT SUDDENLY ROLLED IN REVERSE WITH THE SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S DOOR CRASHED INTO THE GATE AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V034000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION). THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS NOT A SUFFICIENT REMEDY WITH THE RECALL DEFECT REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10244970

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2008
Power TrainSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. THERE ARE TWO SAFETY RECALLS THAT THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER'S 00V106000 (POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)) AND 95V089000 (STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALLS APPLY…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. THERE ARE TWO SAFETY RECALLS THAT THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER'S 00V106000 (POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)) AND 95V089000 (STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALLS APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT GET THE PARTS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,139.

NHTSA ODI #10222110

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND HEARD A LOUD "METAL SCRAPING" NOISE. CHECKED BY DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXLE IS DEFECTIVE. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023216

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 00VV106000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 871 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO JOHN L WAY DODGE SOUTHWEST WHERE REPAIRS WERE DONE. VEHICLE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEM OF SHIFTING GEARS UNTIL AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE. REFERRED CONSUMER TO MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8006796

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2001
Power Train

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION, IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS TO BE EFFECTIVE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE, CONSUMER FEELS T…

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CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION, IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS TO BE EFFECTIVE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS JUST AN EXCUSE IN CASE OF A PRODUCT FAILURE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #563618

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2001
Power TrainStructure

A SHOCK IS GIVEN UPON OPENING THE DOOR AT TIMES. DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR.

NHTSA ODI #9003346

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2001
Power Train

PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED POSSIBLE TRANSMISSON PROBLEMS, HOWEVER CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #562190

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2001
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR. *JG

NHTSA ODI #562022

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Power Train

WHILE IN PARK CONSUMER PUTS CAR IN REVERSE, VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE UNTIL ABOUT 15, TO 20 SECONDS LATER. VEHICLE THEN UNEXPECTEDLY JUMPS BACK. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD GET HURT IF THEY COME BEHIND VEHICLE BECAUSE CONSUMER DOESN'T KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO JUMP BACK. AK

NHTSA ODI #884132

Official recalls

4

00V106000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Apr 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A500 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. INADVERTENT PLACEMENT OF THE SHIFT LEVER IN REVERSE CAN OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PLACED IN PARK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITH THE ENGINE ON AFTER THE DRIVER HAS LEFT THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH AN ALUMINUM VERSION.

95V089000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

May 12, 1995

THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS AND REPLACE ANY WHEELS EXHIBITING CRACKS. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IF CRACKING OCCURS.

91V200000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Nov 12, 1991

THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE MAY RUB AGAINST THE TIRE DURING A FULL LOCK LEFT TURN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE WEAR THROUGH OF THE BRAKE HOSE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WEAR THROUGH OF THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE WOULD CAUSEFLUID LOSS FROM HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND INCREASE STOPPINGDISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: IF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE HOSE AND TIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT IS INADEQUATE, REPLACE BRAKE HOSE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

90V176000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 1, 1990

STEEL BRAIDED FUEL HOSE ROUTING MAY ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE HOSE AND TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND FUEL LEAKAGETHAT, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: INSTALL A TIE STRAP TO SECURE THE TRANSMISSION WIRING AWAY FROM THE FUEL HOSE.

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

3

EA96006 · Rollaway In Reverse When Parked

Opened May 31, 1996 · Closed Aug 10, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

PE95041 · Inadvertent Movement Of Shifter

Opened Jun 23, 1995 · Closed May 31, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

ODI RECEIVED AN INQUIRY REGARDING ALLEGED PARK TO REVERSE PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON 1991 AND 1992 DODGE DAKOTA PICUP TRUCKS.THE ODI DATABASE REVEALED 11 COMPLAINTS, SEVERAL OF WHICH HAD BEEN REPORTED IN THE MONTHS JUST PRECEDING THE OPENING OF THE PE.THE CONSUMERS CLAIM THAT THEY MOVE THE VEHICLE, PLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND EXIT THE VEHICLE.THEN, ALMOST ALWAYS WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE ALLEGEDLY SHIFTS INTO REVERSETHE VEHICLE THEN BEGINS TO BACK UP, USUALLY STOPPING ONLY WHEN IT HITS SOMETHING.

PE95004 · Steering Wheel Separation

Opened Jan 19, 1995 · Closed May 11, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available