The 1989 Dodge Dakota has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 778,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STEERING01V2320002001-07-064,000 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 PICKUP TRUCK CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES (BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 1988 - JUNE 1990) AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SHELBY PACKAGE (BUILT OCTOBER 1988 - JUNE 1989). 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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT…
STEERING96V0940001996-06-13140,000 affected
Defect
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING89V2370001989-12-27634,000 affected
Defect
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Consequence
THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Remedy
REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
Complaints by component
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
14
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
6
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
1deaths
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
3
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
3
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2
Total complaints88
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1989 dodge dakota. The contact was driving 50 mph when the power steering malfunctioned which prevented the contact from steering the vehicle in the right direction. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the bolts on the rack and pinion were cracked.…”
“When switching from 4h to 2h on 89 dodge dakota on floor shifter it takes a few minutes to engage and when it does it jars the vehicle to a side jerking the steering wheel to the right suddenly. *jb”
“Dt*: the contact stated while placing the vehicle into park, the gear shifts into reverse or if parked on an incline will roll down a hill. The transmission will not properly lock into the parking gear. No examination or repairs were made. There was a nhtsa recall # 00v106000 regarding powertrain:…”
“Dt: consumer states: wheel didn't fit hub correctly and it was stripping lugs: nuts and studs when hitting small bumps. There was nothing to hold them. . Dodge said needed a factory rim, and they didn't make them anymore. *ak updated 01/09/07. *jb”
“I was driving down 1994 and the engine compartment caused a huge fire. Melting all the wiring and destroying the truck. The detroit firedepartment was called and the truck is a total loss. My insurance company will not pay for it because I had basic coverage. I did not know it was a recall. I was…”
“While driving, the right rear tire disintegrated, consumer is requesting reimbursement, consumer was informed that the damage found to the tire was caused by a road hazard and not a design flaw.(cooper trendsetter aw radial tire p235 75r15, dot number, vp hl cna 7500)*jb”
“The vehicle's transmission overheated and melted.*mr *ph *nm”
“While backing out of a driveway and turning rack and pinion steering separated from cross member of vehicle. Dealership informed consumer that this vehicle was not included in recall 96v094000. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Dodge Dakota as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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