1992 Dodge Dakota Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 9%of 216 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,800miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1992 Dodge Dakota, 9% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,800 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On days over 90 degree temperature the engine will rev very loud at first start, while vehicle will barely move. The dealer replaced the fan clutch twice and rebuilt the transmission, however the remedies did not help. This problem has also occurred while at traffic lights, when driven at low speeds then kick into normal speed, make noise, and then stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10017875, filed 2003-04, 1,600 miles“The contact owns a 1992 Dodge Dakota. He heard a chatter noise and the lifter needed to be tightened. The mechanic stated that the lifter failed in the cam shaft which affected the engine. The dealer stated that there was no recall for this year, make, and model vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 164,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10189417, filed 2007-05, 164,000 miles“The door assembly on the driver-side failed when the lower hinge collapsed into the door. This caused the door to be misaligned, preventing the latch from engaging latch bolt. The fuel gauge reads 1/4 shortly after fueling and will stay their until the tank is almost empty. The radiator core fins disinegrated and/or fell out of the radiator, causing the engine to overheat.”
NHTSA complaint #754980, filed 2001-11“The vehicle was experiencing symptoms of the technical service bulletin # 09-07-97(timing chain), consumer was not aware of the bulletin and the vehicle broke down and was repaired due to timing belt failure, consumer is requesting reimbursement for repair and feels the repair was misdiagnosed.”
NHTSA complaint #557706, filed 2000-11“The engines have high failure rate of bushing for oil pump drive shaft. This causes excessive wear of distributor, which will break off the end of the rotor, causing instant engine failure, loss of power steering assist. The is no warning, so is very dangerous to pull over in heavy traffic (I was very nearly rearended). This failure is listed as a known problem on internet sites such as car point and the repair parts on on national backorder. If a inexperienced driver has this occur, and does not correctly respond serious accidents will occur. Dodge does not have a repair policy on this. …”
NHTSA complaint #736078, filed 2000-11Engine 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 1992 Dodge Dakota
110 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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