The 1987 Dodge Dakota has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 37,948 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM CABLES MAY PARTIALLY DISENGAGE AND BIND AT THE CARBURETOR THROTTLE LEVER ATTACHMENT.
THROTTLE WOULD STAY PARTIALLY OPEN WHEN ACCELERATORPEDAL IS RELEASED.
INSTALL A WASHER AT SPEED CONTROL CABLE TO CARBURETOR THROTTLE LEVER ATTACHMENT TO ELIMINATE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.
THESE TRUCKS WERE EQUIPPED WITH REAR PARK BRAKE CABLES WHICH CAUSED LIMITED REAR BRAKE SHOE TRAVEL RESULTING IN THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM NOT HOLDING THE VEHICLE IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION WHEN PARKED ON A 20% GRADE, AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 105. …
REPLACE BOTH REAR PARKING BRAKE CABLES.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“The spare tire retainer failed, allowing the spare tire to detach from it's mount under the vehicle and fall to the road while the vehicle was in operation. The spare tire is held underneath the vehicle by a retainer attached to a steel cable. The steel cable is in a constant state of tension…”
“1987 dodge dakota caught fire in the engine compartment. Vehicle was destroyed in the fire. *kb the consumer stated the vehicle stalled before catching on fire. The consumer stated the fuel pump had been replaced recently. (ohio traffic crash report)*jb”
“1987 dodge dakota caught fire in the engine compartment. Vehicle was destroyed in the fire. *kb the consumer stated the vehicle stalled before catching on fire. The consumer stated the fuel pump had been replaced recently. (ohio traffic crash report)*jb”
“The 1988-1990 dakotas were recalled for this concern why not the 1987? 01v232000. *ak”
“On right side of engine compartment a fire started. Fire department could not determine the cause due to fact that it burnt. Please provide further information. *ak”
“While driving home from work at 35 mph the steering wheel locked to either side, making driver lose control of vehicle. The vehicle has not been fixed, & manufacturer contacted. *ak”
“Cross member that holds the rack and pinion steering broke where the bolts hold it to the frame. *ak”
“Seat belt buckle failed.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Dodge Dakota as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.