1994 Dodge Dakota Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 166 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,102miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1994 Dodge Dakota, 3% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,102 miles.
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.
“Night driving, smelled electrical smoke in cab. Headlamps went off then came back on after 5 to 10 seconds. Moved headlamp switch in and out but condition still persisted. Luckily I was less than one mile from home on divided hwy with no traffic. If lamp switch is off then there is no smell of electrical smoke. When lamp switch is in either the parking or the headlamp position, can smell electrical smoke and light work intermittently. This is second failure in 2 years. Lamp switch failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10173803, filed 2006-11, 70,102 miles“Several months to a year, a module in the steering column needs to be replaced. This module controls the headlights high/low beam, turn signal, 4-way flasher and wiper motion. The headlights will go out while in use following the other components failing. Please describe details ts”
NHTSA complaint #8022958, filed 2002-11“Headlight switch failed/headlights went out/switch showed overheating damage and also melted some of the wiring in the cabling under the dash/could smell something burning before failure/lost lights at night”
NHTSA complaint #717255, filed 2000-01Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 9% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 3% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 22 | 7% |
| 2002 | 21 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 1% |
| 1999 | 7 | 1% |
| 1998 | 11 | 2% |
| 1997 | 6 | 1% |
| 1996 | 6 | 3% |
| 1995 | 5 | 2% |
| 1994 | 5 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 1994 Dodge Dakota
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsSeats
11 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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