1989 Dodge Dakota Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 13%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 167,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1989 Dodge Dakota, 13% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 167,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving down 1994 and the engine compartment caused a huge fire. Melting all the wiring and destroying the truck. The detroit firedepartment was called and the truck is a total loss. My insurance company will not pay for it because I had basic coverage. I did not know it was a recall. I was never contacted. I bought the car in 1993 after the recall. I bought it from a dealer you would think they would have fixed it. Luckily the police and fire were close and they put it out before it blew up. The freeway was closed for a while after this happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10096295, filed 2004-10, 167,000 milesRelated recalls
- 89V237000Dec 27, 1989The engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket.Covers: Dodge Dakota 1989–1990, Plymouth Voyager 1989–1990, Dodge Shadow 1989–1990 +12 more
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 12 | 3% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 34 | 11% |
| 2002 | 34 | 5% |
| 2001 | 53 | 8% |
| 2000 | 50 | 6% |
| 1999 | 70 | 11% |
| 1998 | 60 | 11% |
| 1997 | 49 | 11% |
| 1996 | 27 | 14% |
| 1995 | 18 | 9% |
| 1994 | 14 | 8% |
| 1993 | 12 | 9% |
| 1992 | 19 | 9% |
| 1991 | 6 | 5% |
| 1990 | 3 | 5% |
| 1989 | 8 | 13% |
| 1988 | 4 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1989 Dodge Dakota
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology