1992 Dodge Dakota Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the automatic transmission: shift lever and park-to-reverse complaints are the dominant theme, and a manufacturer recall covers exactly that. Drivability complaints — the truck shutting off without warning, hard or erratic shifting, and brake pedal or ABS symptoms — make up most of the rest. Reported mileages vary widely, from very low-mileage trucks being started in hot weather to examples well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Shifter slips out of Park into Reverse

   • 31 complaints (14%)
   • typically at 5.2 yrs old
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2012

   Owners describe leaving the truck running in Park and finding it rolling backward, sometimes into traffic, a pole, or another parked vehicle. Some say the shift lever feels like it is in Park when it is not, and the recall for the A500 automatic transmission addresses exactly this. Many complaints are about the recall itself, reporting that dealers could not get the parts or the special tool needed to perform the repair, or that shifting got harder after the work was done. Reported across a wide range of ages and mileages, usually described as happening while parked and idling, with no mileage given in most complaints.

   Recall 00V106000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 00V106000 was completed and whether any shifter adjustment was done afterward. With the engine running and the brake applied, try moving the lever from Park to Reverse and back and confirm it engages positively.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle went in reverse after parking, crashing into a house causing damage to house and to the bumper and fender of vehicle, while fixing radio, consumer came across the wiring in the dash and found a fastener had fallen out which wouldn't allow vehicle to really go in to park also affecting the radio.”

   NHTSA complaint #553573, filed 2000-08

   “Consumers vehicle slipped from the parked position into reverese position running over consumer who was standing behind the truck at time, vehicle was recently recalled for faulty steel manual valve in the transmission, chrysler denies any responsibility (attorney for client). Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #558464, filed 2000-12
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or erratic automatic shifting

   • 69 complaints (32%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 11.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2008

   Owners report the transmission shifting on its own, downshifting two gears on inclines with the engine revving up, and clunking or slipping when going from Park to Reverse. Some say the overdrive would not engage or that the truck would drop into Neutral over bumps, and several mention repeated dealer visits without a lasting fix. Reported mostly on trucks with no mileage listed in the complaint, at a mix of ages, often on inclines or under steady-speed driving.

   What to check: During a test drive, note whether shifts into overdrive are clean and whether the truck downshifts unexpectedly on a grade. Ask for transmission service records and whether the fluid has been changed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle leaked transmission fluid. The dealer stated that the leak was not related to the transmission recall. The vehicle leaked transmission fluid. Dealer stated that the leak was not related to the transmission recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10009825, filed 2003-03, 120,000 miles

   “Recall 871 was performed on 21 june 2000 and when compleated transmission would not shift into overdriv ( 4th gear), also cruise control would not work. On 10 july 2000 truck was taken back to dealer and transmission inspected and could find nothing wrong. Manufacture called and they would due nothing about problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #741004, filed 2001-02
3. 3
   Brakes

   Long brake pedal and rear ABS not engaging

   • 29 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 5.2 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor or feeling light and spongy, with the ABS and brake warning lights coming on. Several owners say the rear brakes or anti-lock function did not engage, leaving the front brakes to do the work, and some note it is worse in wet conditions. Rusted or broken brake lines near the ABS are mentioned in one complaint. Mostly reported on trucks without mileage listed, often in wet conditions or from a stop at low speed.

   What to check: Ask when the brakes were last serviced and whether the ABS light stays off after the bulb check. Check brake line condition and pedal firmness with the engine running before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving about 30mph applied the brakes and the truck did not stop, the pedal did not hold. There are two lights on now; one is ABS light, and the other are the brake lights. These lights were not on untill the truck was involved in this accident because the brakes would not hold. A representative from chryslers special investigations stated that after a physical and electronic inspection, the brakes were operating properly.”

   NHTSA complaint #818645, filed 1997-11

   “When the brakes are being applied rear brakes do not engage at all so the front brakes has to do all the work. The rear adjustment lever is not touching the brake shoes to keep them in place. Consumer is going to contact the manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #846592, filed 1999-09
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Truck shuts off without warning while driving

   • 9 complaints (4%)
   • median 132,500 mi at 17.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2021

   Complaints describe the engine quitting with no warning, as if the key had been turned off, both while idling and at highway speed. Owners report restarting it, sometimes after cranking for a while, and several say replacement of sensors, fuel pump, or wiring did not resolve it. A few mention lights flickering off at night in the same pattern. Reported from low-mileage examples to trucks past 150,000 miles, with no clear pattern by age or season in the sample.

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch, wiring harness, and engine sensors have been replaced, and take a test drive long enough to include steady-speed running. Note any flickering dash or headlight symptoms.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2 issues-the power train-I don't think it was ever fixed as my gearshift lever indicator is not in the gear it indicates-can this still be fixed under the recall-2nd problem-I can be driving down the road and the truck just shuts itself off without warning-sometimes it will restart after sitting a few minutes but yesterday I had to have it towed with my 74 yr. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10245035, filed 2008-10, 160,000 miles

   “On my 1992 Dodge Dakota (v8 5.2l with at, 4x4) the engine quits intermittently, sometimes while parked idling and other times while driving. It does it without warning, as if the key is turned off. Sometimes it starts right up again and other times it will have to crank for a while before it starts. I've had it to 2 different mechanics and they can't determine the cause. All sensors have been replaced as well as a new fuel pump and the problem is still there. Truck has just over 50,000 miles on it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10373484, filed 2010-12, 45,000 miles

Buying note. Transmission behavior is the main thing to verify on this model year, both the recall repair history and how the truck shifts on a test drive. A lift inspection for frame rust is also worth the cost given the truck's age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.