MYRModel Year Report

1994 Dodge Dakota

● Typical for this model
1994 Dodge Dakota
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:36:57.708Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Dakota Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1994 highlighted. 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaints 1987: 20 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1989 1990: 63 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1992: 216 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 166 complaints 1994 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: 295 complaints 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2005 2006: 283 complaints 2007: 144 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints 2011
1994: 166 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19861
198720
198855
198963
199063
1991128
1992216
1993134
1994166
1995208
1996189
1997446
1998545
1999641
2000806
2001678
2002678
2003295
2004206
2005470
2006283
2007144
200891
200918
201035
201144

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950316

DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950111

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SEATS 5%

5% of complaints: seats — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO RECLINE BACK. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040128

WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20031210

WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL . *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20031210

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19940204 — fuel system, gasoline

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 FUE

Remedy: THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WILL BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Campaign 94V005000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940209 — PE (closed 19940630)

ENGINE FIRES

R 19940414 — suspension

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.

Campaign 94V043000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940502 — PE (closed 19940809)

STEERING LOCK-UP/IMPEDIMNT

R 19950717 — steering

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.

Campaign 95V088000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970925 — RQ (open)

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

I 20030507 — DP (closed 20030722)

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 94V005000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V043000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V088000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2011 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ■ 2002 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

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 steering: steering wheel/handle bar, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 Dodge Dakota have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.