1990 Dodge Dakota Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 43%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the steering of the 1990 Dodge Dakota, 43% of the 63 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving, when attempting to turn left, vehicle continued to go straight due to bolts holding steering column to frame fracturing, causing steering column to detach from frame, resulting in loss of steering control, no accident, has been fixed, consumer received recall 96v094 after repairs were complete.”
NHTSA complaint #806916, filed 1996-12“Owner received a recall notice concerning steering gear box. But was unable to get the vehicle repaired because the mechanic at the dealer told them they could only get it repaired monday through friday, not on saturday. Owner stated that's their only means of transportation.”
NHTSA complaint #822198, filed 1998-04“Consumer states that while she was driving the vehicle on normal road conditions that the she stepped on the brakes and there was no steering what so ever and the rack and pinion fell from under the car. There was absolutely no steering.”
NHTSA complaint #802444, filed 1996-09“Owner had recall notice on above vehicle for the rack&pinion steering system failure, dealer did replace part but owner states that her steering column went out while backing out of drivewayjust missing her next door neighbor's driveway.”
NHTSA complaint #805280, filed 1996-11“Steering assembnly went out and vehicle was unable to handle properly, check and weld rack and pinions bolts, r &I rack and pinion, weld 2 new pieces of sheet metal where bolts go into the frame.”
NHTSA complaint #531427, filed 1998-02Related recalls
- 01V232000Jul 6, 2001Vehicle description: 4x2 pickup truck convertibles equipped with v6 engines (built from november 1988 - june 1990) and 4x2 pickup trucks equipped with the…Covers: Dodge Dakota 1989–1990
- 96V094000Jun 13, 1996The frame can crack at the steering gear attachment and/or the steering gear mounting bolts can fracture.Covers: Dodge Dakota 1988–1990
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5 | 14% |
| 2008 | 17 | 19% |
| 2007 | 12 | 8% |
| 2006 | 47 | 16% |
| 2005 | 47 | 10% |
| 2004 | 74 | 36% |
| 2003 | 14 | 5% |
| 2002 | 44 | 6% |
| 2001 | 48 | 7% |
| 2000 | 68 | 8% |
| 1999 | 72 | 11% |
| 1998 | 47 | 9% |
| 1997 | 34 | 8% |
| 1996 | 7 | 4% |
| 1995 | 19 | 9% |
| 1994 | 20 | 12% |
| 1993 | 12 | 9% |
| 1992 | 8 | 4% |
| 1991 | 15 | 12% |
| 1990 | 27 | 43% |
| 1989 | 19 | 30% |
| 1988 | 26 | 47% |
| 1987 | 5 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1990 Dodge Dakota
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Dodge Dakota
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology