Complaints
88
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
4
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Dodge Dakota Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#114 complaints
Steering:Rack And Pinion
#26 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:167,000 mi
Fires:1
#35 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Dodge Dakota.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | 1 | 167,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 1 | — | — | — |
Steering:Rack And Pinion
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
167,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Side/Rear Glass
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Dakota Years
1989 Dodge Dakota — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1989 Dodge Dakota has 88 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering:Rack And Pinion with 14 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Steering:Rack And Pinion (14 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (6 complaints, avg 167,000 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (5 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1989 Dodge Dakota?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 167,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1989 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Dodge Dakota include 3 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Dodge Dakota as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Dodge Dakota?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Dakota reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Dodge Dakota
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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