MYRModel Year Report

1994 Dodge Dakota

● Typical for this model
1994 Dodge Dakota
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:49:56.923Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
184
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaint 1987: 20 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1989 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1994: 184 complaints 1994 184 1995: 208 complaints 1996: 189 complaints 1997: 446 complaints 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 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1994: 184 complaints 1994 184 1995: 208 complaints 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 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 184 complaints 1994 184 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

1994: 184 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.

Service brakes

20% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

15% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Steering

14% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and tie rod assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

14% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and wiring.

CRASHFIRE

Air bags

13% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Air bag did not deploy during an accident. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-16

Driver air bag did not deploy during accident. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-11

No deployment of air bag during accident, causing injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-28

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1994-02-04Fuel system, gasoline94V005000 Two fuel tank support strap attaching studs were not adequately tightened, which could cause one or both of the strap(S) to separate, mislocating the fuel tanks or allow complete separation of the…

    Remedy: The fuel tank support strap attaching studs will be properly tightened.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1994-02-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Engine fires
  3. R
    1994-04-14Suspension94V043000 Some upper control arm attaching bolts can fail due to improper heat treatment. The bolts are too soft to withstand the stresses in the steering system and can break.

    Remedy: Replace the upper control arm attaching bolts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1994-05-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-08-09 Steering lock-up/impedimnt
  5. R
    1995-07-17Steering95V088000 While making a turn, the extra keys on a vehicle operator's key ring can become temporarily lodged in the screw access holes in the back cover of the steering wheel.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering wheel back cover with a redesigned cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1997-09-25Recall queryOpen Steering wheel and column
  7. I
    2003-05-07Defect petitionClosed 2003-07-22 Steering column separation
  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

1994 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94V005000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 94V043000 · Suspension
  • Recall 95V088000 · Steering
  • 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 1994 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Dodge Dakota is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Dodge Dakota?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Dodge Dakota have?
4 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.