1990 Dodge DAKOTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 32 complaints (21.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 31.3% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.4% |
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:Rack And Pinion | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 32 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 | 19 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 19; 1996: 10; 2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10119221 · 2005-04-14 (April 14, 2005)
DODGE IGNITION SYSTEM LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING.*MR *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10119221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484386 · 1995-07-24 (July 24, 1995)
FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO PREMAUTURE WEAR/OVERHEATING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484680 · 1995-07-31 (July 31, 1995)
BRAKES FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488061 · 1995-11-20 (November 20, 1995)
DIFFERENTIALS PINION AND RINGS FAULTY, CAUSING VIBRATIONS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488061 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489335 · 1995-04-18 (April 18, 1995)
RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE LOOSE FROM K-MEMBER BAR, CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500619 · 1996-01-04 (January 4, 1996)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS WHEN EXCEEDING 55 MPH. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504150 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504150 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505018 · 1996-05-28 (May 28, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505018 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.
01V232000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Reported: 2001-07-06 (July 6, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 PICKUP TRUCK CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES (BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 1988 - JUNE 1990) AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SHELBY PACKAGE (BUILT OCTOBER 1988 - JUNE 1989). 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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V237000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 1989-12-27 (December 27, 1989)
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
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 ↗