1987 Dodge DAKOTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 1
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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 3; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10207185 · 2007-10-24 (October 24, 2007)
1987 DODGE DAKOTA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED BEFORE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10207185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231936 · 2008-06-22 (June 22, 2008)
THE SPARE TIRE RETAINER FAILED, ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH FROM IT'S MOUNT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FALL TO THE ROAD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE SPARE TIRE IS HELD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BY A RETAINER ATTACHED TO A STEEL CABLE. THE STEEL CABLE IS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF TENSION SUPPORTING THE SPARE TIRE THE STEEL CABLE HAD DEVELOPED CORROSION TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT SIMPLY SNAPPED, ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL TO THE ROADWAY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERWAY. THE AREA OF FAILURE FROM CORROSION IS HIDDEN FROM VIEW. WITHOUT …
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 753293 · 2001-10-16 (October 16, 2001)
THE 1988-1990 DAKOTAS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS CONCERN WHY NOT THE 1987? 01V232000. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 753293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 876941 · 2000-12-22 (December 22, 2000)
ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT A FIRE STARTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE DUE TO FACT THAT IT BURNT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 876941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 886593 · 2001-04-24 (April 24, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 886593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963897 · 1995-04-17 (April 17, 1995)
LEFT REAR DRUM FAILED; ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF BRAKE DRUM OUTSIDE OF BOLT HOLE PATTERN FAILED; NOTHING HOLDING BRAKE DRUM WHILE IN OPERATION; LOST CONTROL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967491 · 1995-06-22 (June 22, 1995)
SEAT BELTS IN PASSENGER SIDE ARE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT OF RETRACTOR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968155 · 1995-07-03 (July 3, 1995)
THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AFTER 20,000 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968155 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V115000 · Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable
Reported: 1986-08-18 (August 18, 1986)
THESE TRUCKS WERE EQUIPPED WITH REAR PARK BRAKE CABLES WHICH CAUSED LIMITED REAR BRAKE SHOE TRAVEL RESULTING IN THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM NOT HOLDING THE VEHICLE IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION WHEN PARKED ON A 20% GRADE, AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 105. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE TRUCK IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND THE PARKING BRAKE SET, IT MAY ROLL BACK CAUSING DAMAGE OR AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE BOTH REAR PARKING BRAKE CABLES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V050000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
Reported: 1987-04-14 (April 14, 1987)
SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM CABLES MAY PARTIALLY DISENGAGE AND BIND AT THE CARBURETOR THROTTLE LEVER ATTACHMENT.
Consequence: THROTTLE WOULD STAY PARTIALLY OPEN WHEN ACCELERATORPEDAL IS RELEASED.
Remedy: INSTALL A WASHER AT SPEED CONTROL CABLE TO CARBURETOR THROTTLE LEVER ATTACHMENT TO ELIMINATE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗