1994 Dodge Dakota: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 166 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (13% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving down road, about to turn right, but airbag deployed before I was off the main road. Had to stop immediately. Had slowed down to app. 10 mph to make turn. Road clear. Had made this turn many times before (on way to work). *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2010
“Dodge dakota frame rotting out toyota recalled theirs the truck in great shape and I have seen alot of trucks with the same problem could cause death in crash.*tr”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2010
“Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The catalytic converter rattled. There was a rough idle and then the vehicle would stall. The cruise control was inoperative, the tires wore out prematurely. Also, I had difficulty getting the vehicle out of park. The idler arm is in the process of breaking, the ignition broke after the keys became stuck, the fuel pump failed and the bearing and bushing needs to be replaced.”Owner report · Equipment · Jan 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Night driving, smelled electrical smoke in cab. Headlamps went off then came back on after 5 to 10 seconds. Moved headlamp switch in and out but condition still persisted. Luckily I was less than one mile from home on divided hwy with no traffic. If lamp switch is off then there is no smell of electrical smoke. When lamp switch is in either the parking or the headlamp position, can smell electrical smoke and light work intermittently. This is second failure in 2 years. Lamp switch failed. *jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 55 mph, the vehicle was involved in driver side collision. The airbags did not deploy. There was pre-impact braking. The occupant was wearing a seat belt, but suffered of hyperthermia due to the accident. A police report was taken, and the vehicle was deemed totaled.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2006
“No failure just yet. Every so often the air bag, ABS light comes on once that happens the fan stops working, the power windows will not work. Now my headlights will not work at all but my parking lights will. I have tried to get the dealer to fix it under a recall they won't do it. I know it could cause a fire.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2005
“I have a "pristine" dodge dakota that I purchased from the original owner. It currently has 34,500 miles on it and I recently had to replace all of the ball-joints/ upper & lower/both sides. I have heard of recalls for dakota ball-joints. Did any of the recalls cover a 1994 model ? - please advise. Thank you. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2004
“Srs air bag light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Cruise control failed to work when applied. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the clock spring needed to be replaced. This vehicle was not covered under a recall due to VIN. *ak *tc”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2004
“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 report · Seats · Dec 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 report · Seats · Dec 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 32 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK COVER WITH A REDESIGNED COVER.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS.
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.
Remedy: THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WILL BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Dakota by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Dodge Dakota reliable?
NHTSA has 166 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Dodge Dakota. The most complained-about area is air bags (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Dodge Dakota problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 140,500 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Dodge Dakota have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.