MYRModel Year Report

1991 Dodge Dakota

▲ Better than typical
1991 Dodge Dakota
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:34.669Z

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
128
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

48% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaint 1987: 20 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1991 128 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 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 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1991 128 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 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1991 128 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

1991: 128 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.

Power train

48% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and gear position indication (prndl).

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact owns a 1991 Dodge Dakota. While the vehicle was parked in the contact's driveway, it suddenly rolled in reverse with the shifter in the park position. There were no warnings prior to this failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-10-09

The truck was in park and shifted into reverse, vehicle lost control, resulting in an accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-08-08

Right rear pinion gear turned sideway on two different occasions, resulting in totalled accident the second time. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-28

Service brakes

13% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Steering

13% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and rack and pinion.

Fuel system, gasoline

7% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and delivery.

FIRE

Vehicle speed control

5% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cables.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1991-04-15Fuel system, gasoline90V176000 Steel braided fuel hose routing may allow contact between the hose and transmission wiring harness.

    Remedy: Install a tie strap to secure the transmission wiring away from the fuel hose.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1992-02-03Service brakes, hydraulic91V200000 The right front brake hose may rub against the tire during a full lock left turn, which may eventually cause wear through of the brake hose on the right front side.

    Remedy: If clearance between the brake hose and tire on the right front is inadequate, replace brake hose with a modified version to ensure adequate clearance.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1995-01-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-05-11 Steering wheel separation
  4. I
    1995-06-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-05-31 Inadvertent movement of shifter
  5. R
    1995-12-20Steering95V089000 The steering wheel armature stamping can crack due to fatigue and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for armature cracks and replace any wheels exhibiting cracks. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1996-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2000-08-10 Rollaway in reverse when parked
  7. R
    2000-06-05Power train00V106000 Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with A500 automatic transmission. Inadvertent placement of the shift lever in reverse can occur when the driver believes that the…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the steel manual valve in the transmission with an aluminum version.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1991 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 62 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V176000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 91V200000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 95V089000 · Steering
  • Recall 00V106000 · Power train
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1991 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Dodge Dakota is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Dodge Dakota?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Dodge Dakota have?
5 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.