1988 Dodge DAKOTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
83,025 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 21 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.8% |
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 | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 19 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 | 6 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 8; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10012004 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN EXHAUST LEAK. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 47,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012494 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL RECALL NUMBER 88 V 074 (WHEEL, LUGS, NUTS). THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105398 · 2004-12-03 (December 3, 2004)
DECORATIVE END COVERS CAME OFF OF WHEEL NUT. WHEEL NUT CATCH 1/2 " OF THE END OF LUG BOLTS. *BF *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223107 · 2008-04-02 (April 2, 2008)
RE: STEERING RECALL AS ISSUED... NHTSA ACTION # PE96003 FOR DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLE. RECALL WAS FOR STEERING BOX "OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION" STEERING. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD A ISSUE WITH A WANDERING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR MANY YEARS. DEALER COULD NEVER FIND A PROBLEM. I FOUND THE STEERING RACK AND PINION MOUNTING POINTS STRESS FRACTURED, WELD NUT MOUNTS PULLED AWAY. VISUAL CRACKING AROUND AREA AT THE BACK OF THE CROSS MEMBER. DODGE SAID RECALL WAS ONLY FOR THE STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTS. WHY WAS THE RACK A…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482914 · 1995-04-11 (April 11, 1995)
BOLTS SHEERED OFF, CAUSING REAR OF TRUCK TO LOCK UP. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489160 · 1995-04-12 (April 12, 1995)
ENGINE FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489633 · 1995-04-12 (April 12, 1995)
VEHICLE FIRE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489633 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501759 · 1996-02-02 (February 2, 1996)
TRANSMISSIONS MAJOR GEAR TRAIN FAILED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE GEARS. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501759 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V194000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 1987-12-26 (December 26, 1987)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY CONTAIN A PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLY THAT MAY STICK IN THE TOOTH BUTT UNENGAGED POSITION.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WITH THEGEAR SHIFT LEVER IN PARK POSITION.
Remedy: ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLIES REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V074000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Reported: 1988-05-04 (May 4, 1988)
MACHINING ERROR IN LOCATING WHEEL STUD HOLES MAY PREVENT FULL SEATING OF BRAKE DRUM TO SHAFT FLANGE.
Consequence: WHEEL STUDS COULD LOOSEN, ALLOWING WHEEL TO SEPARATEFROM THE TRUCK.
Remedy: REPLACE AXLE SHAFTS AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V094000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Reported: 1996-06-13 (June 13, 1996)
THE FRAME CAN CRACK AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT AND/OR THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence: THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD REINFORCEMENTS TO THE FRAME AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. IF THE FRAME IS ALREADY CRACKED, THE STEERING GEAR WELD NUTS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗