Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1994 Dodge Dakota, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train25
- Service brakes, hydraulic24
- Electrical system23
- Air bags22
- Steering20
- Fuel system, gasoline14
- Engine and engine cooling14
- Seats11
- Seat belts11
- Suspension9
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 23 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 10 1994 Dakota vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1994 Dodge Dakota failed the safety check 1.46% of the time — 10% more often than the average 1994 passenger car (1.33%). Median odometer at inspection: 134,231 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 1994 Dodge Dakota.
| 1995108 19 Jun 1995 | Steering On certain vehicles, the operator's key ring keys may bind on the steering wheel back cover while turning and hamper steering wheel return. This could adversely… |
| 1994133 24 Aug 1994 | Steering On certain vehicles, the extra keys operator's key ring may become temporarily lodged in the airbag screw access holes on the steering wheel back cover, hamperi… |
| 1994047 10 Mar 1994 | Suspension ON CERTAIN 4X4 VEHICLES, AN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. THIS COULD CA… |
| 1994011 19 Jan 1994 | Fuel System THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SUPPORT STRAP JOINT WHICH COULD IN TURN C… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 1994 Dodge Dakota: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621898 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ |
| 620059 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT |
| 618049 | SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB |
| 612160 | SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS |
| 610635 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
| 610005 | EXPERIENCING SPARK KNOCK AND ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD PAN GASKET OIL LEAK. *TT |
| 609995 | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT |
| 6092304 | SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 6089800 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT |
| 6089311 | CONCERNS WITH A/C EVAPORATOR ODOR. *NLM |
| 6089038 | INFORMATION ON TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT. *NLM |
| 6089000 | INFORMATION ON TRANSMISSION COOLER REVERSE FLUSHING WITH COOLER BYPASS KIT INSTALLED. *NLM |
| 6088834 | INFORMATION REGARDING NHTSA AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *NLM |
| 6088803 | INFORMATION REGARDING NO START - ENGIN FAILED TO CRANK. *NLM |
| 6088786 | CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM |
| 607963 | INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
| 607913 | SUBJECT REGARDING SPARK KNOCK AND ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD PAN GASKET OIL LEAK. *TT |
| 604710 | INFORMATION REGARDING FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING TO STEERING KNUCKLE THREAD REPAIR. *TT |
| 603153 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG ON - OFF SWITCHES. *YC |
| 603144 | SUBJECT REGARDING IGNITION SYSTEM CROSS FIRE/ SECONDARY IGNITION WIRE INDUCTION. *AK |
| 602327 | THE OUTER EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS MAY FATIGUE AND BREAK. *YC |
| 602318 | DISCUSSION ON AIRBAG ON- OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES *AK |
| 600862 | INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK |
| 54423 | AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *YC |
| 52970 | WHEN VEHICLES IN THE START POSITION, ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK OVER. *YC |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
STEERING LOCK-UP/IMPEDIMNT
ENGINE FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation