1994 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1994 Dodge Dakota, and owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

safety recalls

166

owner complaints to NHTSA

33 / 4

complaints citing a crash / fire

12–15

MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 1994 Dodge Dakota

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

NHTSA 95V088000 Reported May 12, 1995 293,043 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering wheel back cover with a redesigned cover.
Suspension: control arm

NHTSA 94V043000 Reported March 9, 1994 1,500 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

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.

Remedy: Replace the upper control arm attaching bolts.
Mounting (fuel system)

NHTSA 94V005000 Reported January 12, 1994 9,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

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.

Remedy: The fuel tank support strap attaching studs will be properly tightened.

166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1994 Dodge Dakota have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA; 33 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 23 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 122,982 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 49 filed that year.

Most-reported components

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar18
Air bags: frontal16
Power train: automatic transmission13
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13
Seats: recliner8
Air bags7
Electrical system: ignition7
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump7

What owners are reporting

“Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmi”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 14, 2013 · Structure

“Dodge dakota frame rotting out toyota recalled theirs the truck in great shape and i have seen alot of trucks with the same problem could cause death in crash.*tr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 27, 2011 · Structure

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1994 Dodge Dakota Cab Chassis (Dakota Cab Chassis 2WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined	12–15 mpg
City / Highway	11–14 / 13–17
Fuel	Regular
EPA class	Special Purpose Vehicles
Engine	6/8 cyl, 3.9/5.2 L
Transmission	Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Dodge Dakota model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge Dakota model year in NHTSA's database.

Model year	Recalls	Complaints
1985 Dodge Dakota	0	2
1986 Dodge Dakota	0	1
1987 Dodge Dakota	2	20
1988 Dodge Dakota	3	55
1989 Dodge Dakota	3	63
1990 Dodge Dakota	3	63
1991 Dodge Dakota	4	128
1992 Dodge Dakota	1	216
1993 Dodge Dakota	1	134
1994 Dodge Dakota	3	166
1995 Dodge Dakota	0	208
1996 Dodge Dakota	1	189
1997 Dodge Dakota	5	446
1998 Dodge Dakota	5	545
1999 Dodge Dakota	4	641
2000 Dodge Dakota	5	806
2001 Dodge Dakota	7	678
2002 Dodge Dakota	5	678
2003 Dodge Dakota	4	296
2004 Dodge Dakota	1	206
2005 Dodge Dakota	6	470
2006 Dodge Dakota	5	285
2007 Dodge Dakota	4	145
2008 Dodge Dakota	2	91
2009 Dodge Dakota	5	18
2010 Dodge Dakota	7	35
2011 Dodge Dakota	6	44

Checking a specific 1994 Dodge Dakota

How do I know if my 1994 Dodge Dakota has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1994 Dodge Dakota; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Dodge dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 94V005000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Dodge models

Durango13,770 complaints
Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
RAM 150012,416 complaints
Caravan10,526 complaints
RAM 25006,443 complaints
Intrepid6,228 complaints
Charger5,741 complaints
Journey5,290 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.