MYRModel Year Report

1989 Dodge Dakota

▲ Better than typical
1989 Dodge Dakota
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:08.611Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
64
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Steering

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaint 1987: 20 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1989 64 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 208 complaints 1996: 189 complaints 1997: 446 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 641 complaints 2000: 806 complaints 2001: 678 complaints 2001 2002: 678 complaints 2003: 296 complaints 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2005 2006: 285 complaints 2007: 145 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaint 1987: 20 complaints 1987 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1989 64 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1991 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 208 complaints 1995 1996: 189 complaints 1997: 446 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 641 complaints 1999 2000: 806 complaints 2001: 678 complaints 2001 2002: 678 complaints 2003: 296 complaints 2003 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2005 2006: 285 complaints 2007: 145 complaints 2007 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints 2011
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaint 1987: 20 complaints 1987 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1989 64 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1991 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 208 complaints 1995 1996: 189 complaints 1997: 446 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 641 complaints 1999 2000: 806 complaints 2001: 678 complaints 2001 2002: 678 complaints 2003: 296 complaints 2003 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2005 2006: 285 complaints 2007: 145 complaints 2007 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints 2011

1989: 64 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19861
198720
198855
198964
199065
1991128
1992219
1993134
1994184
1995208
1996189
1997446
1998545
1999641
2000806
2001678
2002678
2003296
2004206
2005470
2006285
2007145
200891
200918
201035
201144

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

34% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and gear box (other than rack and pinion).

INJURY

Service brakes

23% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Power train

23% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle jumped out of park to reverse by itself and ran over and killed the owner.same occurrence last fall and the vehicle by itself hit a bldg.details.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-06-25

The vehicle's transmission overheated and melted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-01-08

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-24

Valve cover gasket replaced twice due to leak (89V-237), oil sending unit failed, also idler pulley failed, causing vibration.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-01

Structure

6% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and roof and pillars.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1990-02-21Engine and engine cooling89V237000 The engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket.

    Remedy: Replace gasket cover with revised cover, and rtv sealant will be applied in place of a gasket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1996-11-08Steering96V094000 The frame can crack at the steering gear attachment and/or the steering gear mounting bolts can fracture.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2001-08-27Steering01V232000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V237000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 96V094000 · Steering
  • Recall 01V232000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Dodge Dakota is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Dodge Dakota?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Dodge Dakota have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.