1993 Dodge Dakota problems & reliability
134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1993 Dodge Dakota. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
12 complaints report injuries (16 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1993 Dodge Dakota vehicles were involved in 19 fatal crashes with 13 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 21 | 16% |
| Power Train | 20 | 15% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 12 | 9% |
| Steering | 12 | 9% |
| Structure | 11 | 8% |
| Unknown OR Other | 9 | 7% |
| Electrical System | 8 | 6% |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 6% |
| Suspension | 8 | 6% |
| Seats | 7 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge dakota. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer stated that the ignition switch was faulty. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.”
Electrical System · filed Jul 14, 2014
“Tl*the contact's daughter owns a 1993 dodge dakota with firestone firehawk atx tires. He stated that while his daughter was driving 40 mph, she experienced a blowout on the rear passenger side tire. The blowout caused the vehicle to fall into a ditch; in addition, there was damage to the vehicle the front passenger…”
Tires · filed Aug 2, 2007
“Consumer had a 1993 dodge dakota and a noise was heard from the front suspension of the vehicle. Owner had to replace the upper ball joints after 32,000 mi. Consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer, and was told that the noise that was being heard was normal. Provide further details. *ak”
Suspension · filed Dec 13, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
Defect Petition DP03002 · opened May 7, 2003 · closed Jul 22, 2003
Technical service bulletins
29 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1993 Dodge Dakota. The 10 most recent:
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
R2118796A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 26, 2016
Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator…
9002849 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 3, 2014
Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator…
9002849 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 3, 2014
FRAME CRACKING. *TT
1300303 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 7, 2003
Automatic transmission fluid usage atf+4. *tt *mj
2100601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 16, 2001
Subject regarding wire splice repairs. *sb
0800600REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 29, 2000
Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. *tt
230800 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 3, 2000
This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts. *tt
080600 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 25, 2000
Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *mjs
233599REVA · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1999
Information on child seat tether anchors. *tt
233599 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 3, 1999
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1993 Dodge Dakota in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1993 Dodge Dakota?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.