1990 Dodge Dakota
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Dakota › 1990
These records cover every 1990 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 1990 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 complaints5 involved a crash3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Dodge ignition system locked up without warning.*mr *jb
- Tires › Tread/belt
First tire separation discovered by csaa auto service during routine maintenance, on 11/07/01. second and third tread separation were during vacation, when driving down highway, at 50mph, the tires started producing rough ride. stopped to check tires, and noticed separation.*ak (tiresize: lt21575r15)
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
While driving heard a rattle, that sounded like water pump was going bad. next day, consumer heard a loud crash bang, fan blade broke off, cut radiator hose. Fan blade had to be replaced. Consumer felt like if they would have been under hood some one may have been seriously injured.*ak the customer also noted that one of four blade fan has cracked. radiator failed. *Yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
I want to know what emission control devices my vehicle has when it was manufactured. Need to know this by using my vin.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I have had trouble finding information on any upgrades, or modification that have been done to the np231d transfer case since date of manufacture on 10-89. I had to replace the range fork and range fork shift hub and am now experiencing difficulties with the replacements. If I can just get some feedback on this it would help me a great deal. Thank you for your time and effort in this situation. *Aky
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Anti-lock brake module failed. I took vehicle to mechanic. He could not obtain replacement part because dealer would not provide it to him. Dealer stated that vehicle had to be brought into them for rapair. Dealer mechanic advised us that repair was not necessary bacause brakes worked, just…
Anti-lock brake module failed. I took vehicle to mechanic. He could not obtain replacement part because dealer would not provide it to him. Dealer stated that vehicle had to be brought into them for rapair. Dealer mechanic advised us that repair was not necessary bacause brakes worked, just anti-lock feature would not work. We waited for several months to save up for the repair. And had the dealer repair the antilock brakes. I feel the dealer IS making a hazard on the road by not providing the necessary replacement parts to other repair shops. The dealer also charges higher prices and this dealer always causes somthing else to go wrong in the process of repairing the problem it was brought in for. That IS the main reason we use an independent mechanic to repair problems that were under warranty. We paid for the repairs so the dealer couldn't screw up the truck any more. *Ak
- Unknown or other
Vehicle paint chipping since 1993.
- Power train › Manual transmission
This vehicle has had problems with the transmission and drivetrain since it came off the lot. the original dealership was extremely helpful while we still lived in the area. however, when we moved to minnesota the first transmission failure occurred. 1ST 2ND and 3RD gears were replaced, there…
This vehicle has had problems with the transmission and drivetrain since it came off the lot. the original dealership was extremely helpful while we still lived in the area. however, when we moved to minnesota the first transmission failure occurred. 1ST 2ND and 3RD gears were replaced, there was less than 7,000 mi on the truck. The second failure was less than a year later, again 1ST 2ND and 3RD crapped out. this occurred again about 6-8 months later. I had asked the service shop to check the drivetrain several times, the response was that everything was within parameters. the whole system jumps and thumps when shifting gears. it also makes similar noises and jumping when going over small bumps or dips in the road. I have had the clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing replaced at about 40,000 mi. this truck has not been used for towing or hauling any heavy loads. I read in the above list about another. *ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Steering assembnly went out and vehicle was unable to handle properly, check and weld rack and pinions bolts, r &i rack and pinion, weld 2 new pieces of sheet metal where bolts go into the frame.
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Rack and pinion steering gear separated per the recall notice.
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion) · Structure › Frame and members
Frame at steering gear bolt stripped out.
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Recall notice sent on the steering gear, however work denied by local dealer.
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl) · Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle jumped out of gear resulting in vehicle collision.
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle jumped out of park resulting in collision.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
The fuel tank cracked, causing the fuel to spill over. If it was to become a source of ignition, it could cause a fire. Dealer will replace fuel tank. *Ak
- Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
While loading equipment into bed, 1/2 inch aluminum rivet that holds tailgate chain bracket onto the body failed/ripped off. (qcaw)
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
The truck was idling in park. the truck slipped out of park into reverse and slammed into the house. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Consumer complainting of transmission overdrive system malfunction with only 67,000 miles of wear, dealer notified and will repair for a cost to the cosumer.
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Owner received a recall notice concerning steering gear box. But was unable to get the vehicle repaired because the mechanic at the dealer told them they could only get it repaired monday through friday, not on saturday. owner stated that's their only means of transportation. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system · Suspension › Front · Unknown or other
Wiring under dash failed.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings · Tires › Tread/belt
Michelin tire blew out from tread separation.
- Power train › Manual transmission
Transmission failed three times.
- Suspension › Front
Front end misaligned, causing vibration/pulling.
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Rack and pinion failure.
- Steering
Steering locks up when turning after recall repairs.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steer rck +pinion mnt fail
There is no summary currently available
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.
- 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.
- 612160Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *Mjs
- 610635Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 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.
- 52529Timing chain noise.
- 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.
- 39531Improved fuel pump.
- 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.