The 1990 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
17
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
3
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2
Total complaints88
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Dodge ignition system locked up without warning.*mr *jb”
“First tire separation discovered by csaa auto service during routine maintenance, on 11/07/01. Second and third tread separation were during vacation, when driving down highway, at 50mph, the tires started producing rough ride. Stopped to check tires, and noticed separation.*ak (tiresize:…”
“While driving heard a rattle, that sounded like water pump was going bad. Next day, consumer heard a loud crash bang, fan blade broke off, cut radiator hose. Fan blade had to be replaced. Consumer felt like if they would have been under hood some one may have been seriously injured.*ak the…”
“While driving heard a rattle, that sounded like water pump was going bad. Next day, consumer heard a loud crash bang, fan blade broke off, cut radiator hose. Fan blade had to be replaced. Consumer felt like if they would have been under hood some one may have been seriously injured.*ak the…”
“While driving heard a rattle, that sounded like water pump was going bad. Next day, consumer heard a loud crash bang, fan blade broke off, cut radiator hose. Fan blade had to be replaced. Consumer felt like if they would have been under hood some one may have been seriously injured.*ak the…”
“Anti-lock brake module failed. I took vehicle to mechanic. He could not obtain replacement part because dealer would not provide it to him. Dealer stated that vehicle had to be brought into them for rapair. Dealer mechanic advised us that repair was not necessary bacause brakes worked, just…”
“The fuel tank cracked, causing the fuel to spill over. If it was to become a source of ignition, it could cause a fire. Dealer will replace fuel tank. *ak”
“Consumer complainting of transmission overdrive system malfunction with only 67,000 miles of wear, dealer notified and will repair for a cost to the cosumer.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE96003 Opened 1996-01-16 · closed 1996-06-10
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Dodge Dakota as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.