1992 Dodge DAKOTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
156 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
112,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 63 of 156 complaints (40.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 58 | 37.2% |
| Braking behavior | 19 | 12.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.6% |
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 | 63 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 63; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 6; Electrical System: 5; Power Train: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 148 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 | 32 |
| 1996 | 58 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
1995: 32; 1996: 58; 2000: 35; 2001: 9; 2002: 6; 2003: 7; 2004: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 58 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 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 10009825 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS NOT RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION RECALL. *NLM THE VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS NOT RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011247 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER THOUGHT THE KEY WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION BUT IT WAS NOT. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WENT TO PULL THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION WHEN IT SUDDENLY STARTED AND RAN OVER HER. THE DRIVER SUSTAIN 2 BROKEN BONES IN HER RIGHT LEG AND A BROKEN COLLAR BONE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES A CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH SHOULD BE INSTALLED. *NLM *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482122 · 1995-03-13 (March 13, 1995)
BRAKE LINES PREMATURELY WORN, 1 LINE RUPTURED WHEN TESTED. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483051 · 1995-08-16 (August 16, 1995)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT LAMP COMES ON/ OFF. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 553573 · 2000-08-03 (August 3, 2000)
VEHICLE WENT IN REVERSE AFTER PARKING, CRASHING INTO A HOUSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO HOUSE AND TO THE BUMPER AND FENDER OF VEHICLE, WHILE FIXING RADIO, CONSUMER CAME ACROSS THE WIRING IN THE DASH AND FOUND A FASTENER HAD FALLEN OUT WHICH WOULDN'T ALLOW VEHICLE TO REALLY GO IN TO PARK ALSO AFFECTING THE RADIO. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 553573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 762737 · 2002-06-06 (June 6, 2002)
15 DAYS AFTER PUCHASING THIS VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THE FIRE DESTROYED EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD BUT THE METAL ENGINE PARTS AS WELL AS MELTED PART OF THE DASH & CARPET ON THE INTERIOR. AFTER PRYING OPEN THE HOOD & DOUSING THE FLAMES COMPLETELY, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT A FUEL LINE LEAK HAD CAUSED THE BLAZE. APPARENTLY SOME FUEL LEAKED FROM THE LINE NEAR THE FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE & AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE FUEL TO IGNITE. THANKFULLY I WAS ALONE WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE CA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503079 · 1996-04-03 (April 3, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE, PREVENTING TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR STALLING. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505190 · 1996-05-28 (May 28, 1996)
ENGINE STALLS OCCASIONALLY. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 736078 · 2000-11-09 (November 9, 2000)
THE ENGINES HAVE HIGH FAILURE RATE OF BUSHING FOR OIL PUMP DRIVE SHAFT. THIS CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR OF DISTRIBUTOR, WHICH WILL BREAK OFF THE END OF THE ROTOR, CAUSING INSTANT ENGINE FAILURE, LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE IS NO WARNING, SO IS VERY DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (I WAS VERY NEARLY REARENDED). THIS FAILURE IS LISTED AS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON INTERNET SITES SUCH AS CAR POINT AND THE REPAIR PARTS ON ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. IF A INEXPERIENCED DRIVER HAS THIS OCCUR, AND DOES NOT CORRECTLY RESPOND SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WILL OCC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 736078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800700 · 1996-08-09 (August 9, 1996)
FAILURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSS CONTROL (UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE).*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10373484 · 2010-12-30 (December 30, 2010)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10373484 at NHTSA ↗