Complaints
88
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1990 Dodge Dakota Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#117 complaints
Steering:Rack And Pinion
#27 complaints
Automatic Transmission
#35 complaints
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1990 Dodge Dakota.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 1 | — | — | — |
Steering:Rack And Pinion
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
2
complaints
Crashes
1
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
—
Structure:Frame And Members
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1990 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Dakota Years
1990 Dodge Dakota — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1990 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1990 Dodge Dakota has 88 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering:Rack And Pinion with 17 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1990 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Steering:Rack And Pinion (17 complaints); Automatic Transmission (7 complaints); Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) (5 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1990 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 1990 Dodge Dakota include 5 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 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 1990 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1990 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 1990 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 1990 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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