1993 Dodge DAKOTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
87 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 87 complaints (8.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 24.1% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 12.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 4 |
| Suspension:Front | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 4; Suspension:Front: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 76 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 | 13 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 25; 1996: 13; 2000: 18; 2001: 8; 2002: 6; 2003: 3; 2004: 10; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 10051750 · 2004-01-23 (January 23, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS LOCKED UP THE FRONT WHEEL, BUT THE REAR WHEEL KEPT TURNING. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL . *AK THE CONSUMER ALMOST WRECKED 4-5 TIMES WHEN SLIPPERY. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FOUND LEAKING AND THE ABS DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FAILED. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055542 · 2004-01-20 (January 20, 2004)
THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE REAR BRAKES. *PH THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483335 · 1995-08-22 (August 22, 1995)
STEERING RACK FAILED TWICE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 730189 · 2000-09-05 (September 5, 2000)
IGNITION SWITCH BECAME VERY HOT AND MELTED THE STEERING COLUMN PLASTIC, SMOKE EXITED KEY HOLE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AIR CONDITIONING AND BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 730189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063632 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)
I BOUGHT A USED 1993 DODGE DAKATO IN APRIL OF 96, AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE PAINT WAS ALREADY FLAKING OFF IN LARGE PIECES(BLUE/SILVER), AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REBUILT ONCE(60,000 MILES). SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE ALL OF THE PAINT IS GONE OFF THE HOOD AND ROOF, THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT AGAIN($1803.00), AND I REPLACED THE OVERHEAD CAM SENSOR 2X WITHIN 10 DAYS.I CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THE PAINT FLAKING AND THEY OFFERED NO HELP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480758 · 1995-01-21 (January 21, 1995)
VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE GEAR UNTIL SHIFT LEVER IS MOVED INTO ANOTHER GEAR AND THEN INTO DRIVE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003299 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, BUT WHEN YOU STOP AT LIGHT OR SIGN THE VEHCLE WILL STALL. YOU CAN EVEN PUT IN NEUTRAL WHEN YOU STOP AND STILL STALLS. NOW THE TRUCK IS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING. IT BACK FIRES AND RUNS ROUGH FOR A MIN. TO START YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE THROLLE DOWN FOR A MIN. HAS HAD FULL TUNE UP AND NEW CATALITIC CONVERT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017794 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO START AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501111 · 1996-01-31 (January 31, 1996)
ELECTRICAL HARNESS UNDER HOOD CORRODED, CAUSING LIGHTING FAILURES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 9001713 · 2000-08-07 (August 7, 2000)
WIRING HARNESS FROM COMPUTER AND ENGINE TO STEERING WHEEL AT HOLO SWITCH(IGNITION SWITCH) HEATS UP AND CATHES FIRE AND MELTED PLASTIC SHROULD AT THIS TIME COMING TO A STOP ENGINE WILL DIE IT WILL CONTINUE TO RUN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9001713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 740438 · 2001-02-05 (February 5, 2001)
I HAD BEEN RUNNING A FEW ERRANDS AND HAD JUST LEFT MY CELLULAR PHONE COMPANY WHEN I AND A PASSENGER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WE PROCEEDED TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOWS FOR A BUILDING ON FIRE WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY PICKUP BEGAN TO SLOW. I TRIED SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWN TO ANOTHER GEAR BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THERE. I WENT FROM PARK TO LOW AND IT ACTED LIKE THERE WAS NOTHING CONNECTED TO THE SHIFTER. I THEN TRIED DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND GOT NO RESPONSE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. I THEN TRIED OPEN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 740438 at NHTSA ↗