1993 Dodge Dakota: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1993 Dodge Dakota: 1 recall, 134 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #93V082000 · 1993 · 2,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Some of the ABS equipped vehicles were built with an undersized brake return check valve. In incidents where hard brake pedal effort is applied on low friction road surfaces, like rain covered streets, the valves May fail, causing the ABS to become inoperative. This creates excess brake pedal travel and May cause the ABS warning light to come on.
Why it matters: Lack of front wheel ABS could cause the front wheelbrakes to lock, increasing stopping distance which May result in an accident.
The fix: Replace the return check valve with the correct valve.
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. 6 mention a fire, 16 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (21): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (20): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6), noise or vibration (2).
- Steering (12): the most common themes are steering problems (11), leaks (3).
- Engine & cooling (12): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), fire / smoke (3).
The 1993 Dodge Dakota has 134 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 22 Dakota model years for complaints (well below the 295 average). Complaints peaked in 1995 (23 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 80,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1992 (216 complaints, 1 recalls), 1994 (166 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-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 |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 13 | 12 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 13 | 12 | 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 1993 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 1993 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1993 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 1993 Dodge Dakota problems?
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (21), transmission & drivetrain (20), steering (12).
What gas mileage does the 1993 Dodge Dakota get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 10 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1993 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.