1989 Dodge Dakota
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Dakota › 1989
These records cover every 1989 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 1989 Dodge Dakota. Newest first.
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.
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. 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.
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.
The engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
63 complaints3 involved a crash2 involved a fire4 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
TL* the contact owns a 1989 dodge dakota. The contact was driving 50 mph when the power steering malfunctioned which prevented the contact from steering the vehicle in the right direction. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the bolts on the rack and pinion were cracked. As…
TL* the contact owns a 1989 dodge dakota. The contact was driving 50 mph when the power steering malfunctioned which prevented the contact from steering the vehicle in the right direction. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the bolts on the rack and pinion were cracked. As a result, the rack and pinion would need to be replaced. The dealer was contacted who advised that the vehicle had exceeded the statute of limitations to receive repairs under nhtsa campaign ID number: 96v094000 steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion). The manufacturer was made aware of the problem who filed a report and advised that they would contact him back at a later date. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 209,000. updated 10/12/11*lj updated 10/14/11 *bf when the consumer attempted to slow down. He lost control of the truck, due to not being able to steer and ultimately ended up in a ditch. updated 10/18/11 updated 10/26/11 updated 10/31/11 updated 3/30/12 *cn
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
When switching from 4H to 2H on 89 dodge dakota on floor shifter it takes a few minutes to engage and when it does it jars the vehicle to a side jerking the steering wheel to the right suddenly. *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Dt*: the contact stated while placing the vehicle into park, the gear shifts into reverse or if parked on an incline will roll down a hill. the transmission will not properly lock into the parking gear. no examination or repairs were made. there was a nhtsa recall # 00v106000 regarding powertrain: automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vin.
- Wheels
Dt: consumer states: wheel didn't fit hub correctly and it was stripping lugs: nuts and studs when hitting small bumps. There was nothing to hold them. . Dodge said needed a factory rim, and they didn't make them anymore. *ak updated 01/09/07. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I was driving down 1994 and the engine compartment caused a huge fire. Melting all the wiring and destroying the truck. The detroit firedepartment was called and the truck IS a total loss. My insurance company will not pay for it because I had basic coverage. I did not know it was a recall. I was…
I was driving down 1994 and the engine compartment caused a huge fire. Melting all the wiring and destroying the truck. The detroit firedepartment was called and the truck IS a total loss. My insurance company will not pay for it because I had basic coverage. I did not know it was a recall. I was never contacted. I bought the car in 1993 after the recall. I bought it from a dealer you would think they would have fixed it. Luckily the police and fire were close and they put it out before it blew up. The freeway was closed for a while after this happened. Do I have any recourse to make dodge repair this? It has been sitting for 1 year and I could not afford to fix it. I am not sure of the exact date but it was a week. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The vehicle's transmission overheated and melted.*mr *ph *nm
- Tires
While driving, the right rear tire disintegrated, consumer IS requesting reimbursement, consumer was informed that the damage found to the tire was caused by a road hazard and not a design flaw.(cooper trendsetter aw radial tire P235 75r15, dot number, vp hl cna 7500)*jb
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Rack and pinion bolts fractured ,causing rack and pinion steering to separate from frame, resulting in loss of control. A recall has been issued on vehicle. Vehicle has been repaired under recall. Please provide further information.*ak
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
While backing out of a driveway and turning rack and pinion steering separated from cross member of vehicle. dealership informed consumer that this vehicle was not included in recall 96v094000. *ak
- Tires
Front-left tire began to peel off the casing, similar to the 23575r15's( dot number: tire size: 21575r15 )
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Having alot of howling in the driveshaft??and they don't why.*ak
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Recall 96v-094000/ steering gear mounting bolt failure. consumer stated that after recall repairs were done, driveability of the vehicle worsened. consumer has notified the dealer about the problem. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Possible engine failure caused the vehicle to stall and it take a while to restart. Yh
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
Spare wheel fell from carrier when winch cable parted due to wear/corrosion. When reported to dealer, he said that it was happening a lot lately. I asked if there was a recall and he responded no. A tire falling from under vehicle at freeway speeds can easily kill people in other vehicles, yet…
Spare wheel fell from carrier when winch cable parted due to wear/corrosion. When reported to dealer, he said that it was happening a lot lately. I asked if there was a recall and he responded no. A tire falling from under vehicle at freeway speeds can easily kill people in other vehicles, yet dealer (and manufacturer?) seemed to not care. sincerely believe that this issue should be tracked and a more permanent device other that flimsy, corrosion prone cable be used to secure these spare tires. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Motor failed
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
While driving approximately 40mph heard a clicking noise coming from the rear. Then it made a clunking noise.the driveshaft was defective & the vehicle was not driveable. Was towed to shop the rear end of driveshaft was shot. Had the wrong rear end put in vehicle. Had to replace it. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt buckle release button broke apart, causing seat belt to become inoperative. dealer notified. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
The frame IS cracked from the steering gear on the driver's and passenger's side, causing loss of vehicle control. *ak
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system · Steering › Rack and pinion · Steering › Rack and pinion › Rack
Steering repaired under recall even though there was no actual problem, however after the repair consumer's power steering completely failed, the power steering pump and the rack-n-pinion was replaced to correct this problem.
- Unknown or other
The paint on the truck started bubbling up and bursting off when the vehicle was just over a year old.i contacted the regional office. they sent a person down who tried to tell me that the paint was bubbling up and peeling off because of the ozone. I explained to him that there were older…
The paint on the truck started bubbling up and bursting off when the vehicle was just over a year old.i contacted the regional office. they sent a person down who tried to tell me that the paint was bubbling up and peeling off because of the ozone. I explained to him that there were older vehicles in the junk yard that had better paint jobs than my truck. I was told that if I had bought the additional warranty with the vehicle, they would take care of it. I told him that if his vehicle was as good as advertised, that I should not need the additional warranty. as it was, I got the 7/70,000, but that did not cover the paint. I was totally dissatisfied with the regional office. I wrote a letter that was never answered. I even called the main chrysler office with no response forthcoming.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Engine cooling system malfunctioning.
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
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- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
The truck was in park , leaving the engine idling and got out to open the garage door. upon turning around the truck was moving backwards out the driveway. Running to catch vehicle before it reached the street, driver opened the door and tried to enter vehicle. Driver wa sknocked to the pavement.…
The truck was in park , leaving the engine idling and got out to open the garage door. upon turning around the truck was moving backwards out the driveway. Running to catch vehicle before it reached the street, driver opened the door and tried to enter vehicle. Driver wa sknocked to the pavement. Vehicle proceeded across the street and headwd to main entranc eof hospital. Runnin gover cement parking stops or the curb turned fron twheels truck made a circle and landed back out on the street. Attampting to enter vehicle a second time, driver was again knocked to the pavement, sustaining a broken collar bone/head concussion and severe tissue and knee damage. *Ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Recall work on the steering wheel reinforcement weld was never completed.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light
Anti lock brake system light continues to blow fuses.
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.
- 6092304Subject regarding non-deployed airbag handling procedures.
- 6089000Information on transmission cooler reverse flushing with cooler bypass kit installed. *Nlm
- 6088786Concerns with engine coolant usage. *Nlm
- 621898Automatic transmission fluid usage ATF+4.
- 618049Subject regarding wire splice repairs.
- 615688Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 612160Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *Mjs
- 609995This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts.
- 607963Information on child seat tether anchors.
- 604710Information regarding front brake caliper mounting to steering knuckle thread repair.
- 600862Information on installation of radio transmitting equipment.
- 52963Various car owner's have expressed interest in using engine coolants made with propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.
- 51942Difficult to clean light colored "chalky" residue from plastic body components that are molded in black.
- 46371Bulletin supersedes technical service bulletin 08-16-95, dated apr. 14, 1995. If the vehicle operator **repeatedly** presses and releases the set button with their foot off of the accelerator (a 'lift foot set' to begin speed control operation), the vehicle may accelerate and exceed the desired set speed by up to 5 mph (8 km/h) and then decelerate to less than the desired set speed before finally achieving the desired set speed.
- 37863Oil leak diagnosis of the rear main bearing area.
Every Dodge Dakota model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.