VehicleVerdict

1991 Dodge Dakota problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1991 Dodge Dakota is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 161 owner complaints run below the Dakota median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 42% of all reports (68 of 161), far ahead of steering at 17.

161

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Dakota years?

Dakota NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted1,096 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 21 complaints1988: 65 complaints1989: 88 complaints1990: 88 complaints1991: 161 complaints1992: 314 complaints1993: 159 complaints1994: 240 complaints1995: 294 complaints1996: 250 complaints1997: 650 complaints1998: 793 complaints1999: 1,011 complaints2000: 1,096 complaints2001: 945 complaints2002: 946 complaints2003: 419 complaints2004: 287 complaints2005: 598 complaints2006: 384 complaints2007: 167 complaints2008: 131 complaints2009: 23 complaints2010: 48 complaints2011: 53 complaints
Dakota NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Dakota years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Dodge Dakota problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission6842%
Steering1711%
Brakes1711%
Fuel System106%
Tires & Wheels85%
Engine74%
Electrical System74%
Speed Control74%
Body & Structure64%
Other53%
Seat Belts21%
Airbags21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seats11%
Suspension11%

Does the 1991 Dodge Dakota have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

00V106000TransmissionApril 11, 2000 · 123,000 units

Defect

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 TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PLACED IN PARK.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITH THE ENGINE ON AFTER THE DRIVER HAS LEFT THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEEL MANUAL VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH AN ALUMINUM VERSION.

95V089000SteeringMay 12, 1995 · 78,000 units

Defect

THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

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 SEPARATION IF CRACKING OCCURS.

91V200000BrakesNovember 12, 1991 · 38,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WEAR THROUGH OF THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE WOULD CAUSEFLUID LOSS FROM HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND INCREASE STOPPINGDISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

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.

90V176000Fuel SystemOctober 1, 1990 · 3,500 units

Defect

STEEL BRAIDED FUEL HOSE ROUTING MAY ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE HOSE AND TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.

Consequence

THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND FUEL LEAKAGETHAT, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL A TIE STRAP TO SECURE THE TRANSMISSION WIRING AWAY FROM THE FUEL HOSE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE FAILED TO STAY IN PARK AND SHIFTED TO REVERSE WITH ENGINE RUNNING, STRIKING A PARKED VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE ON 6/15/00 FOR RECALL 871, WHICH IS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. NO PROOF WAS EXHIBITED TO OWNER DURING INSPECTION ON 10/26/00 THAT VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY SERVICE FOR RECALL 871.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 19, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT KEY INTO IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT GO IN. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT STEERING WAS UPSIDE DOWN, AND THAT WAS WHY. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, BUT COULDNOT BRING VEHICLE IN TO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT 8 YEARS AGO STEERING LOCKED UP, AND HAD TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 30, 2000

“THE TRUCK HAS ABS BRAKES AND HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURE. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 1, 1994 · crash

“FUEL LINE/HOSE FIRE; AFTER PARKING, HOURS LATER, FOUND HOOD SCORCHED, LIFTED DISCOVERED DRIVER'S SIDE WIRING HARNESS HAD BURNT AND METAL FUEL HOSE HAD MELTED, INSURANCE COMPANY IS HAVING FIRE INVESTIGATORS LOOK AT VEHICLE BEFORE ALLOWING TO BE FIXED.. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · fire

“I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT WHILE TRAVELLING WEST ALONG I-40 BETWEEN KINGMAN AND FLAGSTAFF, AZ. EXACTLY FIVE (5) DAYS PREVIOUS TO THIS FAILURE, THE TIRES ON MY PICKUP WERE INSPECTED, ROTATED, AND BALANCED AT TED WIENS FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP IN LAS VEGAS. *AK (TIRESIZE: P225/70R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE:…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 14, 2000

1991 Dodge Dakota — common questions

Is the 1991 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 161 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Dakota year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1991 Dakota problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (68 complaints), steering (17 complaints), brakes (17 complaints).

Does the 1991 Dodge Dakota have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Dodge Dakota. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Dodge Dakota under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Dakota years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Dakota years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1997, 2005, 2003, 2006, 1994, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2010, 2009. The cleanest record among Dakota years belongs to 1986.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.