VehicleVerdict

1994 Dodge Dakota problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1994 Dodge Dakota carries two red flags at once: 240 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN). It is one of the Dakota years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 29 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (34), transmission (26), and electrical system (25), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

240

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations · 1 open

44

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

29

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Dakota years?

Dakota NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 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, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Dakota years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Dodge Dakota problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3414%
Transmission2611%
Electrical System2510%
Airbags2410%
Steering229%
Engine177%
Fuel System177%
Seat Belts125%
Seats125%
Suspension115%
Tires & Wheels104%
Body & Structure73%
Speed Control63%
Lighting52%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Other31%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 1994 Dodge Dakota have recalls?

4 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.

95V088000SteeringMay 12, 1995 · 293,043 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN HAMPER THE STEERING WHEEL RETURN ORCAUSE THE IGNITION TO BE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK COVER WITH A REDESIGNED COVER.

94V043000SuspensionMarch 9, 1994 · 1,500 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE ATTACHING BOLTS OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BREAK, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS.

94V005000Fuel SystemJanuary 12, 1994 · 9,000 units

Defect

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 FUEL TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IN EITHER CASE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP(S) FAILURE RESULTS IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ97012

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH COMING OFF A RAMP INTO SURFACE STREET, ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD TO STOP, BUT CONSUMERS VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. *AK *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 5, 2001 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ENGINE OFF, PARK BRAKE NOT APPLIED. VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE AND ROLLED FORWARD ON A SLIGHT DOWN GRADE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO JUMP IN, APPLIED PARK BRAKE, AND STOPPED VEHICLE. DAMAGE WAS $ 3000.00, NO INJURIES.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 25, 2001 · crash

“FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS BLAMED FOR THE FOLLOWING SITUATION. VEHICLE'S OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL HOURS. 15 DAYS LATER, THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. DRIVER GOT OUT AFTER REALIZING THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE TRUCK RESTARTED ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 17, 1998 · fire

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN DRIVER SIDE COLLISION. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING. THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUFFERED OF HYPERTHERMIA DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 22, 2006 · crash

“AT 35 MPH, STEERING KNUCKLE SNAPPED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL,WHICH FLIPPED OVER VEHICLE ON ITS SIDE AND THEN IGNITED INTO A FIRE . TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · fire

1994 Dodge Dakota — common questions

Is the 1994 Dodge Dakota reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 240 complaints put the 1994 model at #14 of 27 Dakota years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Dakota years to avoid.

What are the most common 1994 Dakota problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (34 complaints), transmission (26 complaints), electrical system (25 complaints).

Does the 1994 Dodge Dakota have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Dodge Dakota. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Dodge Dakota under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.