DODGE DAKOTA · model year

1991 DODGE DAKOTA

161 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1991DODGEDAKOTA carries 161 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 5 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1991 DAKOTA is power train:automatic transmission with 36 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl) (19) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1991 DAKOTA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

161
Complaints
11
Crashes
5
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

161 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION36
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP6
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
STRUCTURE4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS4
TIRES:TREAD/BELT4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY3
STEERING3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT3
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK3
TIRES3

Recent Complaints

20171205SERVICE BRAKES

ABS FOUND FLASHING CODE 7,PERFORMEDPPT, FOUND MODULE BAD.( CHECK SAFETY RECALL F05) WHEN PERFORMING RECALL A/T MANUAL VALVE , FOUND DISCOLORATION IN TRANSMISSION FLUID POSSIBLE COOLER RESTRICTION IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN CONDITION .. TECH TOLD THIS CUSTOMER THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION TRUCK ONLY HAS 75000 ACTUAL MILE...

Mileage: 75,000

20171205POWER TRAIN

ABS FOUND FLASHING CODE 7,PERFORMEDPPT, FOUND MODULE BAD.( CHECK SAFETY RECALL F05) WHEN PERFORMING RECALL A/T MANUAL VALVE , FOUND DISCOLORATION IN TRANSMISSION FLUID POSSIBLE COOLER RESTRICTION IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN CONDITION .. TECH TOLD THIS CUSTOMER THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION TRUCK ONLY HAS 75000 ACTUAL MILE...

Mileage: 75,000

20120123AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AS I TURN A CORNER AT LOW SPEEDS AND THEN IT EVENTUALLY GOES OFF AS I STRAIGHTEN OUT. IT HAS DONE THIS INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE YEARS BUT NOW IT'S GETTING MUCH WORSE AS IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20081009CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, IT SUDDENLY ROLLED IN REVERSE WITH THE SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S DOOR CRASHED INTO THE GATE AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V034000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION). THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS NOT A SUFFICIENT REMEDY WITH THE RECALL DEFECT REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20080324POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. THERE ARE TWO SAFETY RECALLS THAT THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER'S 00V106000 (POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)) AND 95V089000 (STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALLS APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT GET THE PARTS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,139.

20080324STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. THERE ARE TWO SAFETY RECALLS THAT THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER'S 00V106000 (POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)) AND 95V089000 (STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALLS APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT GET THE PARTS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,139.

20060922FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1991 DODGE DAKOTA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *KB THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE PRIOR TO THE FIRE ERUPTED. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SERVICE A WEEK BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. *NM

20040806STRUCTURE

PAINT FLAKING OFF. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE TRUCK. THE PAINT STARTED FLAKING OFF OVER A YEAR AGO.*AK

20031001FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE WORE THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND FLOOR PAN WHICH CAUSED A FUEL LEAKAGE. *PH THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE WAS INSTALLED SO THAT IT WAS DIRECTLY AGAINST THE JUNCTION OF THE FIREWALL AND FLOOR PAN. THIS WAS A SHARP WELDED JUNCTION WHICH WORE THROUGH THE STEEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE AND CAUSED THE FUEL LEAK. (DEFECTIVE AT THE FACTORY AND PRESENTED A FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD) *SCC *JB

20030613FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE COULD NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. *AK

20030131STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR

20021125POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND HEARD A LOUD "METAL SCRAPING" NOISE. CHECKED BY DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXLE IS DEFECTIVE. TS

20020514TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSING DAMAMGE TO VEHICLE, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/70R15, CLAIM 46-0351-405. *SLC

20020514POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION, IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS TO BE EFFECTIVE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS JUST AN EXCUSE IN CASE OF A PRODUCT FAILURE.*JB

20020514POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR. *JG

20020402POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 00VV106000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 871 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO JOHN L WAY DODGE SOUTHWEST WHERE REPAIRS WERE DONE. VEHICLE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEM OF SHIFTING GEARS UNTIL AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE. REFERRED CONSUMER TO MANUFACTURER. *AK

20011116POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR. *JG

20011024POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION, IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS TO BE EFFECTIVE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS JUST AN EXCUSE IN CASE OF A PRODUCT FAILURE.*JB

20011016TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSING DAMAMGE TO VEHICLE, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/70R15, CLAIM 46-0351-405. *SLC

20010917STRUCTURE

A SHOCK IS GIVEN UPON OPENING THE DOOR AT TIMES. DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR.

Compare 1991DODGEDAKOTA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1991 DODGE DAKOTA have?
The 1991 DODGE DAKOTA has 161 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 5 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 DODGE DAKOTA?
The most-complained component for the 1991 DODGE DAKOTA is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 36 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1991 DODGE DAKOTA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.