1988 Dodge Dakota
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Dakota › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Dodge Dakota. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1988 Dodge Dakota. Newest first.
The frame can crack at the steering gear attachment and/or the steering gear mounting bolts can fracture.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Machining error in locating wheel stud holes may prevent full seating of brake drum to shaft flange.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Wheel studs could loosen, allowing wheel to separatefrom the truck.
Remedy
Replace axle shafts as necessary.
Automatic transmission may contain a park sprag rod assembly that may stick in the tooth butt unengaged position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
55 complaints3 involved a crash3 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering
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…
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 and pinion mounts not included in this recall? entire rack assembly was loose all these years because of a "defect in welding" from the factory. *tr
- Wheels › Hub · Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Decorative end covers came off of wheel nut. Wheel nut catch 1/2 " of the end of lug bolts. *bf *tc
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
The vehicle experienced an exhaust leak. *nlm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads
After market brake pad rivet failure causing separation. *Ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
Spare tire mounting cable corroded, causing spare tire to separate from under body mount, and allowing spare tire to fall in the street.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Gear lever does not always engage into park and sometimes gets stuck in park. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Belts popped on right front tire (goodyear wrangler ht- tire size p235/75r15- dotmkhlth2r392)causing vehicle to vibrate and jacknife resulting in damage to the vehicle being towed behind truck. nlm
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver's side seat belt buckle broke three times since it was purchased in 1988. The buckle just came apart when trying to snap the locking mechanism in. Dealer has been contacted. Also, passenger rear belt buckle broke three times. Ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Recall on rack and pinion--refund requested for repairs previously done.
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Steering gear defective.
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Rack and pinion bolts broke loose and caused rack and pinion to go bad, bushing failed causing front end to be out of line, replace rack and pinion.
- Steering › Rack and pinion · Structure › Frame and members
Rack and pinion steering failed prior to recall notice.
- Structure › Frame and members
Recall notice sent concerning reinforcement of the frame crossmember where the steering gear attaches, however work denied due to lack of parts.
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
Cable that holds the spare tire under the truck rusted out, lost the tire. manufacturer not notified. *ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Vehicle on recall. according to dealer, was told to bring vehicle in & leave it. Would take one day to fix. Took vehicle & left it. Returned to pick it up & was told nothing was repaired on rack & pinion due to a broken part under vehicle. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering coupling broke causing loss of control after recall repair.
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Received recall notice (#96v094000) rack and pinion steering. Called dealer & took vehicle in to the mechanic. Was told needed to wait for special welder & would notify owner. Received another recall notice. called back to dealer. Mechanic again said needed to wait with other vehicles for welder specialist to do the repairs on steering. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle stall 10-15 times on the interstate and freeway traffic.
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Recall work on the steering rack and pinion mount IS unable to be done due to a lack of parts.
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Recall 96v094000. Dlr refuses to serve recall because truck was dirty. *ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Consumer states that the vehicle was included in a recall on the rack and pinion mount; manufacturer recall # 688, nhtsa recall#96v094. the rack and pinion steering was damaged during recall repair, so he notified the service mananger about the problem. the service manager informed him that…
Consumer states that the vehicle was included in a recall on the rack and pinion mount; manufacturer recall # 688, nhtsa recall#96v094. the rack and pinion steering was damaged during recall repair, so he notified the service mananger about the problem. the service manager informed him that the lower steering coupler had gone bad. Owner had vehicle inspected by a another mechanic, and was told that the part that was replaced by the dealership didn't need replacing. Owner then contacted that manufacturer's customer sevrice line . *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
The steering wheel locked, causing accident.
- Structure › Frame and members
Crossmember loosened, causing rack and pinion gear to separate/clunking noise when turning corners.
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Was driving and the steering rack and pinion fell off . *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 604710Information regarding front brake caliper mounting to steering knuckle thread repair.
Every Dodge Dakota model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.