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1992 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1992 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 166.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 8 of 216 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 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports8 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

216 reports
165,000 miles · Mar 12, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFireInjury

WELL MY TRUCK WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE RD AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF OUT OF NO WHERE AND I ALMOST GOT IN A COUPLE OF WRECKS BECAUSE OF IT FLICKERING AND I HAVE CHANGED AND FIXED EVERYTHING AND IT STILL DOSE IT SO IT LIKE A WIRE ISSUE OR SOMETHING BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF IT…

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WELL MY TRUCK WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE RD AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF OUT OF NO WHERE AND I ALMOST GOT IN A COUPLE OF WRECKS BECAUSE OF IT FLICKERING AND I HAVE CHANGED AND FIXED EVERYTHING AND IT STILL DOSE IT SO IT LIKE A WIRE ISSUE OR SOMETHING BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF IT THEN MY ENGINE WILL LIKE STOP OR SOMETHING WHEN I AM DRIVING AND JERK MY TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BACKFIRE HELLA BAD LIKE GUNS ARE GOING OFF AND IT'S BLEW MY MUFFLER UP 10 TIMES AND BLEW MY CATILLAC CONVERTER UP 5 TIMES AND BLEW MY HEADERS OFF AND BROKE THE BOLTS INSIDE MY HEADS AND I ONLY HAVE 169 K MILES ON IT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING BECAUSE THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE RD AND IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK LIKE I CAME REALLY CLOSE I WAS GOING DONE THE FREE WAY AND IT LIKE STOPPED THEN JERKED ME INTO THE BARRIER BUT THANK GOD I AVOIDED IT THEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS FLICKERING OFF AND ON AND JERKING LIKE IT DOSE I HAD 2 WHEELS IN A 5FT DITCH BECAUSE OF THAT GOING 55 MPH I WOULD HAVE DIED IF I WENT FULLY IN IT THEN FOR THE BACKFIRE AND BLOWING MY WHOLE EXHAUST UP I HAVE SEEN 5 PEOPLE WRECK BECAUSE OF MY EXHUST SYSTEM THEY WHERE FINE BUT THERE CAR WASN'T BECAUSE OF MY EXHUST AND I ONLY GET LIKE 4 MPG I LIVE LIKE 10 MILES FROM WORK AND I HAVE TO FILL IT EVERYDAY BECAUSE IT SUCKS HELLA GAS JUST ONLY 20 MILES ROUND TRIP FROM FULL IT'S BASICALLY ON EMPTY LIKE THE NEXT DAY I GO TO THE GAS STATION MY GAS LIGHT COMES ON

NHTSA ODI #11402594

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2012
Power TrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF A FAILURE WHICH INVOLVED THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY SLIPPING FROM PARK AND INTO REVERSE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SINCE TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF A FAILURE WHICH INVOLVED THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY SLIPPING FROM PARK AND INTO REVERSE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V106000(POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION PRNDL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE INITIAL RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,059, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,960. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10450808

45,000 miles · Dec 30, 2010
Electrical System

ON MY 1992 DODGE DAKOTA (V8 5.2L WITH AT, 4X4) THE ENGINE QUITS INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES WHILE PARKED IDLING AND OTHER TIMES WHILE DRIVING. IT DOES IT WITHOUT WARNING, AS IF THE KEY IS TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP AGAIN AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL HAVE TO CRANK FOR A WHILE BEFORE IT STARTS. I'VE HAD IT TO 2 DIFFEREN…

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ON MY 1992 DODGE DAKOTA (V8 5.2L WITH AT, 4X4) THE ENGINE QUITS INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES WHILE PARKED IDLING AND OTHER TIMES WHILE DRIVING. IT DOES IT WITHOUT WARNING, AS IF THE KEY IS TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP AGAIN AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL HAVE TO CRANK FOR A WHILE BEFORE IT STARTS. I'VE HAD IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. ALL SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS A NEW FUEL PUMP AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. TRUCK HAS JUST OVER 50,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS AND THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373484

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2010
Power TrainCrashInjury

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE ON MY WAY TO A JOB INTERVIEW, WHEN I REALIZED I FORGOT SOMETHING . I DROVE BACK IN THE GARAGE, PUT THE SHIFTER IN PARK AND I STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK. NO SOONER HAD I GOTTEN AROUND THE TRUCK DOOR WHEN THE TRUCK JUST STARTED BACKING UP BY ITSELF. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP BACK IN TO STOP IT BECAUSE I DID…

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I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE ON MY WAY TO A JOB INTERVIEW, WHEN I REALIZED I FORGOT SOMETHING . I DROVE BACK IN THE GARAGE, PUT THE SHIFTER IN PARK AND I STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK. NO SOONER HAD I GOTTEN AROUND THE TRUCK DOOR WHEN THE TRUCK JUST STARTED BACKING UP BY ITSELF. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP BACK IN TO STOP IT BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT THE TRUCK TO HIT SOMEBODY . BUT THE MOMENTUM WAS TO QUICK AND THE DOOR SLAMMED AGAINST ME HITTING THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BODY,BOTH MY KNEES WERE KNOCKED TOGETHER,CAUSING BRUISING AND SOME SWELLING. I ALSO HAD A SMALL CUT ON MY RIGHT INDEX FINGER WHEN THE DOOR HIT ME,IT PUSHED MY ARM BACK AND MY FINGER HIT MY FRONT TEETH. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM(PARK-TO-REVERSE). THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE IN MY POSSESSION THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CALLED A DODGE DEALERSHIP IN B.R. AND THEY TOLD ME THIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT USED SO I DO NOT KNOW IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PARK-TO-REVERSE. SINCE THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK AND HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH A LOT OF BACK, LEG, AND KNEE PAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336047

160,000 miles · Oct 10, 2008
Electrical SystemPower Train

2 ISSUES-THE POWER TRAIN-I DON'T THINK IT WAS EVER FIXED AS MY GEARSHIFT LEVER INDICATOR IS NOT IN THE GEAR IT INDICATES-CAN THIS STILL BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL-2ND PROBLEM-I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK JUST SHUTS ITSELF OFF WITHOUT WARNING-SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART AFTER SITTING A FEW MINUTES BUT YESTERDAY I HAD…

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2 ISSUES-THE POWER TRAIN-I DON'T THINK IT WAS EVER FIXED AS MY GEARSHIFT LEVER INDICATOR IS NOT IN THE GEAR IT INDICATES-CAN THIS STILL BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL-2ND PROBLEM-I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK JUST SHUTS ITSELF OFF WITHOUT WARNING-SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART AFTER SITTING A FEW MINUTES BUT YESTERDAY I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED WITH MY 74 YR. OLD MOTHER-I HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AND HAD THE SHUTDOWN OCCUR-I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN-I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER BUT THE GUY I GOT IT FROM TOLD ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT -I THOUGHT THE FUEL FILTER MAY BE PLUGGED AND HAD A COMPLETE TUNE-UP-STILL THE PROBLEM CONTINUES-IS THERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE-THANKS BARB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245035

164,000 miles · May 1, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE DAKOTA. HE HEARD A CHATTER NOISE AND THE LIFTER NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LIFTER FAILED IN THE CAM SHAFT WHICH AFFECTED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10189417

105,000 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10083673

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2004
Power TrainCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHILE RUNNING AND IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, ROLLED DOWN THE HILL, AND HIT A MOTOR HOME. CONSUMERE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068658

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2004
Structure

THE PAINT IS PEELILING OFF. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED AND THEY SIAD THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST THEY HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS AND SAID WE HAD TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES. NOW THE MAJORITY OF THE PAINT IS GONE AND RUSTING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10062289

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2003
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION RECALL WAS DONE IN JUNE 2000. SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE HAD TO WARM UP FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. *JB PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10017874

Official recalls

1

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.

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.

PE92062 · Brk Pdl Pivot Shaft Diseng

Opened Jul 6, 1992 · Closed Sep 29, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available