1989 Dodge DAKOTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
124,990 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 31 complaints (12.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 22.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 3 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 3; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion): 3; Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 2
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 25 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 | 10 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 7; 2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10184459 · 2007-03-07 (March 7, 2007)
WHEN SWITCHING FROM 4H TO 2H ON 89 DODGE DAKOTA ON FLOOR SHIFTER IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO ENGAGE AND WHEN IT DOES IT JARS THE VEHICLE TO A SIDE JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SUDDENLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 105,980 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425814 · 2011-09-16 (September 16, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM STEERING THE VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS ON THE RACK AND PINION WERE CRACKED. AS A RESULT, THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCEEDED THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO RECEIVE REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V094000 STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 209,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053319 · 2003-12-31 (December 31, 2003)
THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND MELTED.*MR *PH *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 99,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171732 · 2006-10-24 (October 24, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTS INTO REVERSE OR IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE WILL ROLL DOWN A HILL. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO THE PARKING GEAR. NO EXAMINATION OR REPAIRS WERE MADE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 00V106000 REGARDING POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965965 · 1995-05-26 (May 26, 1995)
ABS, BRAKE FAILURE IN THE REAR, REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER AND IN FOR REPAIR, WHEEL CYLINDER AND OTHER BROKEN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967723 · 1995-06-26 (June 26, 1995)
REAR BRAKES FAILURE, THERE VERY LITTLE BRAKING FROM THE REAR BRAKES, EQUIPPED WITH ABS BRAKES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096295 · 2004-10-24 (October 24, 2004)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN 1994 AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED A HUGE FIRE. MELTING ALL THE WIRING AND DESTROYING THE TRUCK. THE DETROIT FIREDEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE I HAD BASIC COVERAGE. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS A RECALL. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1993 AFTER THE RECALL. I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. LUCKILY THE POLICE AND FIRE WERE CLOSE AND THEY PUT IT OUT BEFORE IT BLEW UP. THE FREEWAY WAS CLOSED FOR A WHILE AFTER THIS …
Owner-reported narrative. 167,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975364 · 1995-11-24 (November 24, 1995)
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED FIRE ON VEHICLE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551454 · 2000-03-21 (March 21, 2000)
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND IT TAKE A WHILE TO RESTART. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502857 · 1996-02-28 (February 28, 1996)
FUEL TANK LEAKS DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE SPOT WELD. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502857 at NHTSA ↗