1990 Dodge Dakota: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 88 complaints
88
Total Complaints
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Top Issue
5
Crash Reports

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION
17
POWER TRAIN: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
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
2
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
2

Severity Assessment

5
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"RACK AND PINION STEERING PULLED OUT OF K-MEMBER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. *AK"
"WHILE DRIVING RACK AND PINION BROKE, STEERING WAS DIFFICULT. TT"
"WHILE MAKING TURN; STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO RIGHT, HOWEVER WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN; TIE ROD BROKE; VEHICLE WENT OVER TWO ASPHALT CURBS; TOTALED; SPEED 35 MPH. TT"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28