The 1988 Dodge Dakota has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 145,200 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE FRAME CAN CRACK AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT AND/OR THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS CAN FRACTURE.
THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
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.
MACHINING ERROR IN LOCATING WHEEL STUD HOLES MAY PREVENT FULL SEATING OF BRAKE DRUM TO SHAFT FLANGE.
WHEEL STUDS COULD LOOSEN, ALLOWING WHEEL TO SEPARATEFROM THE TRUCK.
REPLACE AXLE SHAFTS AS NECESSARY.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY CONTAIN A PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLY THAT MAY STICK IN THE TOOTH BUTT UNENGAGED POSITION.
THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WITH THEGEAR SHIFT LEVER IN PARK POSITION.
ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE PARK SPRAG ROD ASSEMBLIES REPLACED.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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…”
“Decorative end covers came off of wheel nut. Wheel nut catch 1/2 " of the end of lug bolts. *bf *tc”
“Decorative end covers came off of wheel nut. Wheel nut catch 1/2 " of the end of lug bolts. *bf *tc”
“The vehicle experienced an exhaust leak. *nlm”
“Spare tire mounting cable corroded, causing spare tire to separate from under body mount, and allowing spare tire to fall in the street.”
“After market brake pad rivet failure causing separation. *ak”
“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”
“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”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Dodge Dakota as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.