1994 Dodge DAKOTA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017506 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT CAME APART. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017506 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 10020243 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO RELEASE. THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE TRUCK. *JB *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 189,972 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025400 · 2003-07-04 (July 4, 2003)
I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE AT LEAST 3 GAS FUEL PUMPS FOR MY 94 DODGE DAKOTA FOR THREE YEARS IN A ROW. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALER EACH TIME AN IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM EVERY TIME. I ONLY USE ONE GAS STATION WHEN I'M NOT TRAVELING AND JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD . I HAVE USED THE SAME TYPE OF GAS 1993 PREMIUM AND GAS STATION AMOCO SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND HAS NOT CHARGED ME THIS TIME FOR THE WORK. BUT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND OUT WHY I'M HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050380 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050382 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055967 · 2004-01-28 (January 28, 2004)
WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO RECLINE BACK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071263 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
PAINT PEELING OFF OF ROOF AND HOOD.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,678 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071263 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.
94V005000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 1994-01-12 (January 12, 1994)
TWO FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, WHICH COULD CAUSE ONE OR BOTH OF THE STRAP(S) TO SEPARATE, MISLOCATING THE FUEL TANKS OR ALLOW COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE FUEL TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: IN EITHER CASE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP(S) FAILURE RESULTS IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WILL BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗94V043000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm
Reported: 1994-03-09 (March 9, 1994)
SOME UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS CAN FAIL DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT. THE BOLTS ARE TOO SOFT TO WITHSTAND THE STRESSES IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND CAN BREAK.
Consequence: IF THE ATTACHING BOLTS OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BREAK, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V088000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1995-05-12 (May 12, 1995)
WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE EXTRA KEYS ON A VEHICLE OPERATOR'S KEY RING CAN BECOME TEMPORARILY LODGED IN THE SCREW ACCESS HOLES IN THE BACK COVER OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN HAMPER THE STEERING WHEEL RETURN ORCAUSE THE IGNITION TO BE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK COVER WITH A REDESIGNED COVER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗