1988 DODGE DAKOTA

3 recalls, 65 complaints - 1 TSBs

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

Defect Description

THE FRAME CAN CRACK AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT AND/OR THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence

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.

140,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Defect Description

MACHINING ERROR IN LOCATING WHEEL STUD HOLES MAY PREVENT FULL SEATING OF BRAKE DRUM TO SHAFT FLANGE.

Consequence

WHEEL STUDS COULD LOOSEN, ALLOWING WHEEL TO SEPARATEFROM THE TRUCK.

Remedy

REPLACE AXLE SHAFTS AS NECESSARY.

1,700 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Defect Description

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY CONTAIN A PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLY THAT MAY STICK IN THE TOOTH BUTT UNENGAGED POSITION.

Consequence

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.

3,500 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

65 total complaints 3 crashes 3 fires 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
STEERING:RACK AND PINION	22
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	6
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	3
STEERING	3
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR	3
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	2
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY	2
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)	2

Incident date: Mar 10, 2008

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 PRO... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2004

DECORATIVE END COVERS CAME OFF OF WHEEL NUT. WHEEL NUT CATCH 1/2 " OF THE END OF LUG BOLTS. *BF *TC

Incident date: Dec 1, 2004

DECORATIVE END COVERS CAME OFF OF WHEEL NUT. WHEEL NUT CATCH 1/2 " OF THE END OF LUG BOLTS. *BF *TC

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

Incident date: Feb 28, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN EXHAUST LEAK. *NLM

Incident date: Nov 17, 1999

AFTER MARKET BRAKE PAD RIVET FAILURE CAUSING SEPARATION. *AK

Incident date: May 22, 2001

SPARE TIRE MOUNTING CABLE CORRODED, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM UNDER BODY MOUNT, AND ALLOWING SPARE TIRE TO FALL IN THE STREET.

GEAR LEVER DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE INTO PARK AND SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN PARK. *AK

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

Incident date: Aug 1, 1999

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

RECALL ON RACK AND PINION--REFUND REQUESTED FOR REPAIRS PREVIOUSLY DONE.

CONSUMER BELIEVES POWER STEERING UNIT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ON STEERING/GEAR ATTACHMENT, INCOMPLETE REMEDY.

Incident date: Feb 24, 1997

RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.

BOLTS TO RACK AND PINION BROKE LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO RACK AND PINION AND BUSHINGS DUE TO CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT, REPLACEMENT IS FAILING DUE TO BOLT LOOSENING.

RACK AND PINION/FRAM CROSSMEMBER BUILT STURDY, RESULTING IN A SEPARATION.

RECALL NOTICE SENT CONCERNING REINFORCEMENT OF THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER WHERE THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHES, HOWEVER WORK DENIED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE TRUCK RUSTED OUT, LOST THE TIRE. MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 12, 1998

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

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.

Incident date: Apr 20, 1998

STEERING COUPLING BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER RECALL REPAIR.

Incident date: Apr 9, 1998

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 SP... Read more

VEHICLE STALL 10-15 TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE AND FREEWAY TRAFFIC.

Incident date: Jan 7, 1997

RECALL WORK ON THE STEERING RACK AND PINION MOUNT IS UNABLE TO BE DONE DUE TO A LACK OF PARTS.

RECALL 96V094000. DLR REFUSES TO SERVE RECALL BECAUSE TRUCK WAS DIRTY. *AK

Incident date: Oct 22, 1997

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 T... Read more

Incident date: Sep 22, 1996

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

Incident date: Dec 12, 1996

CROSSMEMBER LOOSENED, CAUSING RACK AND PINION GEAR TO SEPARATE/CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING CORNERS.

STEERING GEAR DEFECTIVE.

Incident date: Jan 23, 1997

RACK AND PINION DEFECTIVE.

Incident date: Jan 23, 1997

FRAME CROSSMEMBER DEFECTIVE.

WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FELL OFF . *AK

OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR RACK&PINION SYSTEM HE NOTES THAT REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT THE PROBLEM BECAME WORST

Incident date: Nov 7, 1996

RACK AND PINION STEERING MOUNT RECALL; HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET RECALL WORK DONE ON HIS VEHICLE. DEALER CONTINUES TO SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. *AK

Incident date: Jan 24, 1997

DEALERSHIP WILL NOT MAKE APPOINTMENT, KEEPS PUTTING OFF, CONSUMER BACK; SAID RECALL WAS NOT HIGH PRIORITY FOR REPAIRS. RECALL #96V094000. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1997

VEHICLE IN FOR A FREE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, WAS INFORMED BRAKES/FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED & CORRODED; LATER WAS INFORMED THAT DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BRAKES OR FUEL LINES. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1997

VEHICLE IN FOR A FREE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, WAS INFORMED BRAKES/FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED & CORRODED; LATER WAS INFORMED THAT DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BRAKES OR FUEL LINES. *AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS. (96V-094). *AK

Incident date: Nov 17, 1996

RECALL RELATED, 96V094000, STEERING GEAR ATTACHEMENT, IN FOR REPAIR IN NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 1996 AND JANUARY, 1997, PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND OTHER DEALERSHIPS. *AK

Incident date: Dec 19, 1996

HAD RECALL WORK DONE ON DEC. 17 AND ON DEC.18 MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN HEARD NOISE UNDERNEATH AND THEN VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER AND SAID HE NEEDED TO CALL CHRYSLER, RACK & PINON WAS WORN OUT. *AK CHRYSLER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH RECALL REP... Read more

Incident date: Nov 1, 1996

RECALL FOR RACK AND PINION STEERING MOUNT ON BACK ORDER QUOTED BY REIGLER DODGE IN SUMMIT NJ. OWNER HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CALL CHRYSLER MANUFACTURER AND WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR OVER AN HOUR EVERY TIME. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Incident date: Nov 18, 1996

THE DEALER SAID HE HAS NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL CONCERNING RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE DEALER WILL NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER GIVES WORD. 96V094000.

SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR (1) HOUR ON 11/19/96, DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE KEPT ALL DAY AFTER ARRIVING FOR APPOINTMENT, WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE. TERMS NOT MET ACCORDING TO RECALL NOTICE 96V094000. *AK

Incident date: Nov 14, 1996

VEHICLE ON RECALL FOR RACK AND PINION GEAR , HAS TAKEN INTO DEALER AND HE SAID THAT WILL NOT HAVE PARTS UNTIL FEBRUARY. CONSUMER FEELS THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. 96V094000. *AK

Incident date: Jun 24, 1994

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 14, 1996

DEALER STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED WELDER AND IT WOULD TAKE (6) MONTHS BEFORE THEY COULD GET A WELDER TO PERFORM RECALL WORK. *AK

Incident date: Jan 5, 1996

THE PLASTIC GAS TANK CRACKED, WHERE THE FUEL LINES CONNECT TO THE TANK, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. *AK

Incident date: Nov 14, 1996

VEHICLE PARKED IN IDLE POSITION, JUMPED OUT GEAR INTO REVERSE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION, SPEED UNKNOWN. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Jun 24, 1994

TRANSMISSION REPLACED.

Incident date: Oct 1, 1994

STEERING WHEEL LOOSE DUE TO MISSING PIN.

Incident date: Jul 16, 1996

DROVE/PARKED TRUCK IN GARAGE, WENT INTO HOUSE, NEIGHBOR NOTICED SMOKE/INFORMED DRIVER, TRUCK ENGULFED IN FLAMES/GARAGE ALSO, FIRE DEPT. PUT FLAMES OUT. *AK

Fire

Showing 50 of 65 complaints.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 DODGE DAKOTA

1 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	1

034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INFORMATION REGARDING FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING TO STEERING KNUCKLE THREAD REPAIR. *TT

NHTSA Safety Investigations, DODGE DAKOTA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2006

Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction

On December 16, 2104, Chrysler Group LLC submitted a Safety Recall Report to NHTSA describing a defect in the clutch ignition interlock switches in approximately 66,819 model year (MY) 2006 through early-2007 Dodge Ram Trucks, Dodge Dakota, and Mitsubishi Raider vehicles equipped with manual transmi... ssions and built between July 1, 2005 and July 31, 2006 (NHTSA Recall No. 14V-795, Chrysler Recall No. P80), including 38,969 MY 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles that are part of the subject vehicle population for PE14-013.Chrysler's Safety Report states that:1) the clutch ignition interlock switch return springs may experience fatigue failure due to material issues; 2) if the return springs are broken, the switch contacts may not reflect actual clutch pedal position; and 3) the failures could result in a vehicle experiencing unintended movement if the ignition is cranked when the clutch pedal is not being pressed.Chrysler's recall remedy will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch on all affected vehicles with a switch with a more robust design.On May 19, 2014, ODI opened PE14-013 to investigate clutch ignition interlock failure in MY 2004 through 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks with manual transmissions, based on two MY 2006 complaints and one MY 2004 complaint.One of the MY 2006 complaints involved a fatality that occurred when a young child was able to start a MY 2006 Ram 3500 truck that was parked with the transmission in gear, without depressing the clutch.The diesel engine started and the vehicle moved forward under power running over another child resulting in fatal injuries.ODI's analysis of failure data from all sources identified a total of 14 complaints and 16 warranty claims for the subject vehicles.Thirteen (13) of the complaints and all 16 warranty claims were for the 38,969 MY 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks that were included in 14V-795.The single complaint that was outside the scope of Chrysler's recall was the MY 2004 ODI complaint identified in the opening resume for PE14-013.Further analysis of this incident indicates that the cause of the clutch switch failure in this vehicle was spring damage caused by hydraulic fluid leakage from the clutch master cylinder into the switch.The field data did not show any other similar incidents of switch failures caused by clutch master cylinder leakage. This investigation is closed based on Chrysler's recall.Read more

EA, Open , Model Year: 2005

STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS

ON MARCH 9, 2006 ODI UPGRADED PRELIMINATRY EVALUATION PE05-056 TO ENGINEERNING ANALYSIS EA06-004 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF LOOSE OR MISSING STEERING SHAFT COUPLING BOLTS AND STEERING COLUMN RETAINING BOLTS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 THROUGH 2006 DODGE DURANGO SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MY 2005 THRO... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2005

STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT BOLTS

ON OCTOBER 26, 2005 ODI OPENED PE05-056 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF LOOSE OR MISSING STEERING WHEEL OR STEERING SHAFT COUPLING BOLTS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 AND 2005 DODGE DURANGO SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC).DURING... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1997

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANT... Read more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1995

FRAME CRACKS

MR. EDWARD W. BAILEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION BY LETTER, UNDATED, REQUESTING THAT AN INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED INTO THE MATTER OF A FRAME CRACK IN HIS 1995 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2000

FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE

ALLEGE THAT THE FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHOR BOLTS DISENGAGE FROM THEIR MOUNTING POINTS OR ARE FOUND TO BE LOOSE.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2000

STOP LAMP SWITCH

ALLEGED THAT ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAN RESULT IN STOP LAMPS NOT ILLUMINATION DURING SERVICE BRAKE APPLICATION, AND THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM MAY FAIL TO DISENGAGE

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2000

FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMEN

ALLEGED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT SAFETY BELT ANCHORS DISENGAGE FROM MOUNTING POINTS

RQ, Open , Model Year: 1994

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN