1993 Dodge Dakota
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Dakota › 1993
These records cover every 1993 Dodge Dakota. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1993 Dodge Dakota. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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.
Some of the ABS equipped vehicles were built with an undersized brake return check valve. In incidents where hard brake pedal effort IS applied on low friction road surfaces, like rain covered streets, the valves may fail, causing the ABS to become inoperative. This creates excess brake pedal travel and may cause the ABS warning light to come on.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Lack of front wheel ABS could cause the front wheelbrakes to lock, increasing stopping distance which may result in an accident.
Remedy
Replace the return check valve with the correct valve.
Owner complaints
134 complaints15 involved a crash6 involved a fire16 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting · Visibility/wiper
1993 dodge dakota high beam flashing on and off
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
TL* the contact owns a 1993 dodge dakota. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer stated that the ignition switch was faulty. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
- Tires
Tl*the contact's daughter owns a 1993 dodge dakota with firestone firehawk atx tires. he stated that while his daughter was driving 40 mph, she experienced a blowout on the rear passenger side tire. the blowout caused the vehicle to fall into a ditch; in addition, there was damage to the vehicle…
Tl*the contact's daughter owns a 1993 dodge dakota with firestone firehawk atx tires. he stated that while his daughter was driving 40 mph, she experienced a blowout on the rear passenger side tire. the blowout caused the vehicle to fall into a ditch; in addition, there was damage to the vehicle the front passenger side tire. the purchase date and tire failure mileage were unknown. the failure mileage was 105,618 and the current mileage was 105,621.
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
Consumer had a 1993 dodge dakota and a noise was heard from the front suspension of the vehicle. Owner had to replace the upper ball joints after 32,000 mi. consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer, and was told that the noise that was being heard was normal. Provide further details. *Ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
While driving, the hood blew into the windshield. the manufacturer denied the claim. *jb
- Visibility
Vehicle IS well maintained and cared for. Large chucks of paint peeling from hood momentarily distract or startle driver and have caused situations where an accident was just barely avoided. The last incident a large sheet of the paint covered the driver's side windshield obstructing the operator's…
Vehicle IS well maintained and cared for. Large chucks of paint peeling from hood momentarily distract or startle driver and have caused situations where an accident was just barely avoided. The last incident a large sheet of the paint covered the driver's side windshield obstructing the operator's view during rush hour traffic on the highway. Operator was able to avoid collision by hitting brakes and turning onto the roadside grass, after jumping curb and narrowly missing a guard rail damage to the truck was a broken ball joint and a bent control arm. It could have been worse had the vehicle overturned! the affected paint has been sanded and primed but other spots continue to peel up .*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
The consumer worked for a government agency and was forced to drive a decommissioned vehicle. while driving at 55 mph, the consumer heard a loud explosion. the consumer inspected the vehicle and found that the catalytic converter had separated from the muffler. the consumer suffered permanent hearing damage do to the explosion. *la
- Unknown or other
I have not started to do anything about the paint due to it started peeling really bad a couple of years ago. a friend of mine recommended contacting the zone representative from dodge to see if they will correct the issue. I am going contact the dealership to get the representative's name.…
I have not started to do anything about the paint due to it started peeling really bad a couple of years ago. a friend of mine recommended contacting the zone representative from dodge to see if they will correct the issue. I am going contact the dealership to get the representative's name. the paint started flaking several years ago, nothing to be really alarmed at. I just chalked it up to normal wear. two years or three years ago the paint started pealing off in sheets. a light breeze will flake off a sheet of paint. now rust IS starting to show on the areas that has had paint flake off. Paint has come off the hood and cab of the truck. I will keep you posted. I like your website. I found some of the problems of my truck on your site, at least I know that I am not hearing things. Thank you for your interest.
- Unknown or other
Paint has been peeling on the roof of the cab and the hood of the truck. The area where the paint has peeled has now rusted.
- Unknown or other
Red and white 93 dakota. white paint chipping off. red IS good.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I bought a used 1993 dodge dakato in april of 96, at the time of purchase the paint was already flaking off in large pieces(blue/silver), and the transmission had been rebuilt once(60,000 miles). Since the time of purchase all of the paint IS gone off the hood and roof, the transmission has been…
I bought a used 1993 dodge dakato in april of 96, at the time of purchase the paint was already flaking off in large pieces(blue/silver), and the transmission had been rebuilt once(60,000 miles). Since the time of purchase all of the paint IS gone off the hood and roof, the transmission has been completely rebuilt again($1803.00), and I replaced the overhead cam sensor 2X within 10 days.i contacted dodge about the paint flaking and they offered no help.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling
The driver noticed smoke, opened the hood and viewed the engine on fire. *ph *sc
- Service brakes, hydraulic
The vehicle didn't have rear brakes. *ph the mechanic found that the master cylinder was leaking. *sc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
While driving and applying the brakes, the ABS locked up the front wheel, but the rear wheel kept turning. the dealer stated it was normal . *Ak the consumer almost wrecked 4-5 times when slippery. the master cylinder was found leaking and the ABS diagnostic module failed. *sc *jb
- Structure › Body
Electric blue paint on every dakota literally flaking off the entire vehicle right down to the primer,has to be a paint defect,chrysler says too bad. Every dodge that IS this color looks this way.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The vehicle was hard to start and stalled while driving. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The vehicle runs fine, but when you stop at light or sign the vehcle will stall. You can even put in neutral when you stop and still stalls. Now the truck IS having problems starting. It back fires and runs rough for a min. To start you have to hold the throlle down for a min. Has had full tune up and new catalitic convert.
- Structure › Body
Paint on hood and roof began to bubble (white chalky appearance) and paint began peeling. mr
- Structure › Body
Consumer noticed that paint IS peeling onto the structure and body. dealer has been notified, please call federal trade comission at 877-382-4357, please provide further information. *mr
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Would like to know if this has occurred to other owners of dodge dakotas. No safety defect listed. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
Brake rotor and drum warped due to heat under normal driving conditions.*jb
- Power train › Clutch assembly
The law firm representing consumer explains that the vehicle jumped out of park and backed over him, consumer suffered severe injuries.(attorney for client). *jg
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Seatback failed during accident, causing drivers head to hit rear window. *Ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Replacement tires, 20000 miles, p215/75r15, dot# c4x3600 A05 r, while traveling at 65mph drivers side rear tire separated, and then the tire blewup/split on sidewall. *Ak *jg
- Structure › Frame and members
I noticed in winter 2000 the paint on the top of the truck was pealing. when I took it in for an estimate I was told it was caused by a defect. the paint loses cohesion with the primer used by the manufacturer. the manufacturer did agree to pay $218 to fix where the paint was pealing at that…
I noticed in winter 2000 the paint on the top of the truck was pealing. when I took it in for an estimate I was told it was caused by a defect. the paint loses cohesion with the primer used by the manufacturer. the manufacturer did agree to pay $218 to fix where the paint was pealing at that time. the first paint shop stated it would all have to be taken to bare metal to prevent it from continuing. at this time about a 1/3 of the top of the windshield IS next to the non-painted surface. No safetydefect. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering column separation
Mr. Larry a. Sackey submitted a petition to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) by letter dated april 18, 2003, requesting that nhtsafurther investigate the defective collapsible steering shaft system on 1987-1995 vehicles manufactured by the daimlerchrysler corporation.in part because of 49 cfr…
Mr. Larry a. Sackey submitted a petition to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) by letter dated april 18, 2003, requesting that nhtsafurther investigate the defective collapsible steering shaft system on 1987-1995 vehicles manufactured by the daimlerchrysler corporation.in part because of 49 cfr ? 30120(G), nhtsa has decided to limit the scope of the petition vehicles to 1993-1995 models, excluding the 1993 jeep grand cherokee and 1994-1995 dodge RAM series trucks that were recalled (93v210 & 96v230) for steering column failure.if the analysis of these vehicles had identified a potential problem, the scope could have been expanded in an investigation.a review of odi's data base shows no recent complaints and a lack of a complaint trend concerning the subject issue on the subject vehicles as a whole or by individual models.therefore, the petition IS denied.for details, see federal register notice volume 68, no. 130, july 8, 2003.
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.
- 10220995Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service.
- 10191460Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10139596Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service.
- 10005298Frame cracking.
- 6089311Concerns with a/c evaporator odor. *Nlm
- 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.
- 602327The outer exhaust manifold studs may fatigue and break.
- 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.
- 44048Unknown
- 43051Unknown
- 41040RWD automatic transmission cold temperature cooler bypass kit.
- 39987Slight front brake lead/drift.
- 39734Pick up box tailgate hard to latch in cold temperatures.
- 39531Improved fuel pump.
- 37866Cooling fan noise.
- 37863Oil leak diagnosis of the rear main bearing area.
- 37858Pcm not properly disengaging a/c clutch via the relay also the pcm may not energize the a/c clutch relay.
Every Dodge Dakota model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.