1991 Dodge Dakota: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1991 Dodge Dakota: 4 recalls, 128 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #90V176000 · 1990 · 3,500 vehicles
What's wrong: Steel braided fuel hose routing May allow contact between the hose and transmission wiring harness.
Why it matters: This contact could cause hose damage and fuel leakagethat, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix: Install a tie strap to secure the transmission wiring away from the fuel hose.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #91V200000 · 1991 · 38,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The right front brake hose May rub against the tire during a full lock left turn, which May eventually cause wear through of the brake hose on the right front side.
Why it matters: Wear through of the right front brake hose would causefluid loss from half of the split brake hydraulic system and increase stoppingdistance which could result in an accident.
The fix: If clearance between the brake hose and tire on the right front is inadequate, replace brake hose with a modified version to ensure adequate clearance.
Steering Vehicle recall #95V089000 · 1995 · 78,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The steering wheel armature stamping can crack due to fatigue and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
Why it matters: This condition can cause separation of the center hub attachment to the steering column resulting in a loss of control and an accident.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for armature cracks and replace any wheels exhibiting cracks. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel separation if cracking occurs.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #00V106000 · 2000 · 123,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Inadvertent placement of the shift lever in reverse can occur when the driver believes that the transmission has been placed in park.
Why it matters: This can cause the vehicle to roll away with the engine on after the driver has left the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace the steel manual valve in the transmission with an aluminum version.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (60): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (26), noise or vibration (4).
- Steering (15): the most common themes are steering problems (12), leaks (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (12): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (3).
- Fuel system (8): the most common themes are leaks (3), stalls / loses power (2), fire / smoke (2).
The 1991 Dodge Dakota has 128 owner complaints, ranking #17 of 22 Dakota model years for complaints (well below the 295 average). Complaints peaked in 1996 (35 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 75,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1990 (63 complaints, 3 recalls), 1992 (216 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 11 | 11 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1991 Dodge Dakota.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1991 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1991 Dodge Dakota, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1991 Dodge Dakota problems?
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (60), steering (15), brakes (hydraulic) (12).
What gas mileage does the 1991 Dodge Dakota get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 10 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1991 Dodge Dakota repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.