1988 Dodge DAKOTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
83,025 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 21 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 8; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10223107 · 2008-04-02 (April 2, 2008)
RE: STEERING RECALL AS ISSUED... NHTSA ACTION # PE96003 FOR DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLE. RECALL WAS FOR STEERING BOX "OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION" STEERING. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD A ISSUE WITH A WANDERING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR MANY YEARS. DEALER COULD NEVER FIND A PROBLEM. I FOUND THE STEERING RACK AND PINION MOUNTING POINTS STRESS FRACTURED, WELD NUT MOUNTS PULLED AWAY. VISUAL CRACKING AROUND AREA AT THE BACK OF THE CROSS MEMBER. DODGE SAID RECALL WAS ONLY FOR THE STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTS. WHY WAS THE RACK A…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969571 · 1995-07-31 (July 31, 1995)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504142 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEARS IN WINTER MONTHS. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800498 · 1996-08-05 (August 5, 1996)
VEHICLE STALLS DURING OPERATION . PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCED AT ALL SPEEDS. AND OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 754766 · 2001-11-21 (November 21, 2001)
AFTER MARKET BRAKE PAD RIVET FAILURE CAUSING SEPARATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 754766 at NHTSA ↗