1994 Dodge DAKOTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
111 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 111 complaints (11.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 20.7% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 12.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 7.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 13 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 10 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 |
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 13; Air Bags:Frontal: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Electrical System:Ignition: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 7
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 96 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 | 48 |
| 1996 | 22 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 48; 1996: 22; 2000: 10; 2001: 6; 2002: 5; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10104063 · 2004-12-18 (December 18, 2004)
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOWER BALL JOINT ON RIGHT SIDE OF TRUCK BROKE . DID NOT WRECK. WHEEL FELL OFF OF TRUCK ALONG WITH AXLE END, BRAKE ROTOR AND CALIPER. SPINDLE ALSO BROKE . I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED SPINDLE AND AXLE BUT HAVE NOT YET PUT ALL BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE IM TRYING TO SEE IF MY TRUCK SHOULD BE IN WITH THIS BIG RECALL ON DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120936 · 2005-05-15 (May 15, 2005)
SUDDEN NEAR-COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE BOLT HOLDING MASTER CYLINDER IN PLACE TO HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR. ON 05-14-2005, MY 18 YEAR OLD SON COMPLETED HIS SHIFT AT WORK. HE WENT OUT TO OUR 1994 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP AND STARTED THE ENGINE. AS HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HE HEARD A METALLIC NOISE AS IF SOMETHING HAD BROKEN. HE DROVE TO OUR NEARBY RESIDENCE AT VERY LOW SPEED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, BUT HE REPORTED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE. AT OUR RESIDENCE, MY MECHANIC AND I INSPECTED THE V…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094568 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH A DEER APPEAR OUT OF NO WHERE AND WAS HIT BY CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. IT WAS BADLY DAMAGED AND KNOCKED OFF THE ROAD. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. STEERING WHEEL SEPARATED AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S RIGHT LEG. DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED. VEHICLE HAD OLD ENGINE REPLACED. THE DAKOTA SPORT WAS TOTALED.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT AND SENT AN UPDATED VERSION WHICH IS AS FOLLOWS: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND A DEER JUMPED ONTO HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CROSSED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10094568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10512159 · 2013-05-14 (May 14, 2013)
FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10512159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017520 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED IMPROPERLY. THE CONSUMER CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP, DUE TO WRONG INFORMATION PRINTED ON THE DIP STICK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173803 · 2006-11-19 (November 19, 2006)
NIGHT DRIVING, SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE IN CAB. HEADLAMPS WENT OFF THEN CAME BACK ON AFTER 5 TO 10 SECONDS. MOVED HEADLAMP SWITCH IN AND OUT BUT CONDITION STILL PERSISTED. LUCKILY I WAS LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM HOME ON DIVIDED HWY WITH NO TRAFFIC. IF LAMP SWITCH IS OFF THEN THERE IS NO SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SMOKE. WHEN LAMP SWITCH IS IN EITHER THE PARKING OR THE HEADLAMP POSITION, CAN SMELL ELECTRICAL SMOKE AND LIGHT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS SECOND FAILURE IN 2 YEARS. LAMP SWITCH FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 70,102 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564893 · 2002-04-02 (April 2, 2002)
FUEL GAUGE READING VERY ERRATIC. DEALER CHECKED WIRING FROM TANK TO GAUGE AND FOUND NO SHORTED WIRING. ALSO CHECKED OPERATIONS AND FOUND FUEL SENDING UNIT IN TANK HAS CONTACTS SHORTED CAUSING GAUGE TO READ VERY ERRATIC. THIS IS 5TH TIME SENDING WILL BE REPLACED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489419 · 1995-04-18 (April 18, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 785957 · 2002-04-17 (April 17, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FLOAT FAILED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785957 at NHTSA ↗