Complaints
65
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
1
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1988 Dodge Dakota Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#122 complaints
Steering:Rack And Pinion
#26 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Crash-related:2
#33 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1988 Dodge Dakota.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 22 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheels:Hub | 1 | — | — | — |
Steering:Rack And Pinion
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Hub
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1988 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Dakota Years
1988 Dodge Dakota — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1988 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1988 Dodge Dakota has 65 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering:Rack And Pinion with 22 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1988 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Steering:Rack And Pinion (22 complaints); Automatic Transmission (6 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1988 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 1988 Dodge Dakota include 3 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 1 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 1988 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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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