1991 Dodge DAKOTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
101 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 101 complaints (29.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 35 | 34.7% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 11.9% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 11.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.0% |
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 | 30 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 15 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 30; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 15; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 3; Structure: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3
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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 98 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 | 25 |
| 1996 | 27 |
| 2000 | 23 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 25; 1996: 27; 2000: 23; 2001: 15; 2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2012: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 35 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 10169103 · 2006-09-21 (September 21, 2006)
1991 DODGE DAKOTA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *KB THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE PRIOR TO THE FIRE ERUPTED. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SERVICE A WEEK BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10169103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222110 · 2008-03-24 (March 24, 2008)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10222110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052471 · 2017-12-05 (December 5, 2017)
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...
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483174 · 1995-07-24 (July 24, 1995)
HOLES IN FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483174 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006102 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 866066 · 2000-07-26 (July 26, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING WITH FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THEN, STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 866066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 878149 · 2001-01-12 (January 12, 2001)
WHILE MAKING A SHARP TURN OR ONE FULL SPIN ON WHEELVEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE NO POWER STEERING, AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 878149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040396 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE WORE THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND FLOOR PAN WHICH CAUSED A FUEL LEAKAGE. *PH THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE WAS INSTALLED SO THAT IT WAS DIRECTLY AGAINST THE JUNCTION OF THE FIREWALL AND FLOOR PAN. THIS WAS A SHARP WELDED JUNCTION WHICH WORE THROUGH THE STEEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE AND CAUSED THE FUEL LEAK. (DEFECTIVE AT THE FACTORY AND PRESENTED A FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD) *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502085 · 1996-03-07 (March 7, 1996)
FUEL PUMP REPLACED TWICE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 864580 · 2000-06-30 (June 30, 2000)
CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT KEY INTO IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT GO IN. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT STEERING WAS UPSIDE DOWN, AND THAT WAS WHY. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, BUT COULDNOT BRING VEHICLE IN TO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT 8 YEARS AGO STEERING LOCKED UP, AND HAD TO GO STRAIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT. COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. OWNER LATER FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A DEAD BATTERY. ONCE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, PROBLEM SOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 864580 at NHTSA ↗