The 1991 Dodge Dakota has 68 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 42% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
68
Transmission complaints
42%
Share of year
8
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
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.
“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.…”
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the 1991 Dodge Dakota transmission — 42% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 00V106000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.