Complaints
240
Crashes
44
Fires
4
Injuries
29
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 1994 Dodge Dakota Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#118 complaints
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Avg mileage:500 mi
Crash-related:6
#216 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:180,000 mi
Crash-related:16
#313 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:170,000 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1994 Dodge Dakota.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 18 | 6 | — | 500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 16 | 16 | — | 180,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 13 | 1 | — | 170,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 13 | 6 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 8 | 3 | — | 144,950 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 2 | — | 55,040 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 | 1 | — | 189,972 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 | — | — | — |
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
18
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
500
Air Bags:Frontal
16
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
—
Avg Miles
180,000
Automatic Transmission
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
170,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
13
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
8
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
144,950
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,040
Electrical System:Ignition
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
189,972
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1994 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Dakota Years
1994 Dodge Dakota — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1994 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1994 Dodge Dakota has 240 NHTSA complaints, 44 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar with 18 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1994 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar (18 complaints, avg 500 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (16 complaints, avg 180,000 mi); Automatic Transmission (13 complaints, avg 170,000 mi). 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 1994 Dodge Dakota?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 113,339 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1994 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 1994 Dodge Dakota include 44 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 29 injuries, and 2 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 1994 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1994 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 1994 Dodge Dakota?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
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 1994 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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