1987 Dodge Dakota Problems
- Complaints
- 20filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.9L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 19 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Dodge Dakota (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1987 Dodge Dakota. The part named most often is steering, with 5 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and seat belts (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering5 25%
- Engine cooling3 15%
- Seat belts3 15%
- Body and structure3 15%
- Brakes2 10%
- Fuel system2 10%
- Equipment1 5.0%
- Seats1 5.0%
Example complaints
Steering: “While driving home from work at 35 MPH the steering wheel locked to either side, making driver lose control of vehicle. The vehicle has not been fixed, & manufacturer contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #813661, filed 1997-06Engine cooling: “1987 Dodge Dakota caught fire in the engine compartment. Vehicle was destroyed in the fire. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled before catching on fire. The consumer stated the fuel pump had been replaced recently. (ohio traffic crash report)”
NHTSA complaint #10207185, filed 2007-10Body and structure: “The spare tire retainer failed, allowing the spare tire to detach from it's mount under the vehicle and fall to the road while the vehicle was in operation. The spare tire is held underneath the vehicle by a retainer attached to a steel cable. The steel cable is in a constant state of tension supporting the spare tire the steel cable had developed corrosion to such an extent that it simply snapped, allowing the spare tire to fall to the roadway while the vehicle was underway. The area of failure from corrosion is hidden from view. …”
NHTSA complaint #10231936, filed 2008-06, 69,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 69,000 and 69,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Dodge Dakota version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Pickup 2WD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD | 3.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 19 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD | 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD | 3.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD | 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V050000Apr 14, 1987Vehicle speed control › LinkagesCovers: Dodge Dakota 1987
Speed control system cables may partially disengage and bind at the carburetor throttle lever attachment.
- 86V115000Aug 18, 1986Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cableCovers: Dodge Dakota 1987
These trucks were equipped with rear park brake cables which caused limited rear brake shoe travel resulting in the parking brake system not holding the vehicle in the reverse direction when parked on a 20% grade, as required by fmvss 105. Consequence of…
Recall details for the 1987 Dodge Dakota → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Dodge Dakota.
Other model years of the Dodge Dakota
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 44 | 42,000 | 6 | — | 17 | 64 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 35 | 49,900 | 7 | — | 17 | 31 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 18 | 44,000 | 5 | — | 17 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 91 | 53,433 | 2 | — | 17 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 145 | 50,196 | 4 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 285 | 55,000 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2005 | 470 | 58,630 | 6 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 206 | 51,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 296 | 34,495 | 4 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 678 | 39,100 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 678 | 50,000 | 7 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 806 | 52,000 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 641 | 60,000 | 4 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 545 | 68,500 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 446 | 72,417 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 189 | 88,750 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 208 | 98,425 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 166 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 134 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 216 | 112,500 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1991 | 128 | 75,000 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 63 | — | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 63 | 124,990 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 55 | 83,025 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 20 | 69,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
All Dodge Dakota model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Dodge Dakota have?
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1987 Dodge Dakota as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Dodge Dakota is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 5 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1987 Dodge Dakota been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Dodge Dakota get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Dodge Dakota (Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Dodge Dakota reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,000 miles and the middle half falls between 69,000 and 69,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.