1994 Dodge Dakota Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 15%of 166 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1994 Dodge Dakota, 15% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The transmission shifted improperly. The consumer changed the transmission fluid, and the transmission seized up, due to wrong information printed on the dip stick.”
NHTSA complaint #10017520, filed 2003-04, 170,000 miles“Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The catalytic converter rattled. There was a rough idle and then the vehicle would stall. The cruise control was inoperative, the tires wore out prematurely. Also, I had difficulty getting the vehicle out of park. …”
NHTSA complaint #10512159, filed 2013-05“This is the 2nd Dodge truck transmission I have had to replace the other was a 96 ram with 63,000 and I was told there has been a problem with Dodge truck transmissions as the places I took the 94 Dakota there were 2 in for the same thing one was a 1999 ram.”
NHTSA complaint #741570, filed 2001-02“The truck pops out of o/d into drive and slows down the veihicle drastically. This could cause a serious accident when traveling at 55-70 MPH. It has done this about 6 times to me and it just started with my bosses 1998 2 wd Dakota. It really scares th”
NHTSA complaint #734193, filed 2000-10“Vehicle was parked, engine off, park brake not applied. Vehicle jumped out of park into drive and rolled forward on a slight down grade. Consumer was able to jump in, applied park brake, and stopped vehicle. Damage was $ 3000.00, no injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #897337, filed 2001-10Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 8 | 18% |
| 2010 | 7 | 20% |
| 2009 | 6 | 33% |
| 2008 | 10 | 11% |
| 2007 | 24 | 17% |
| 2006 | 36 | 13% |
| 2005 | 81 | 17% |
| 2004 | 19 | 9% |
| 2003 | 38 | 13% |
| 2002 | 89 | 13% |
| 2001 | 93 | 14% |
| 2000 | 74 | 9% |
| 1999 | 56 | 9% |
| 1998 | 74 | 14% |
| 1997 | 46 | 10% |
| 1996 | 28 | 15% |
| 1995 | 27 | 13% |
| 1994 | 25 | 15% |
| 1993 | 20 | 15% |
| 1992 | 110 | 51% |
| 1991 | 60 | 47% |
| 1990 | 14 | 22% |
| 1989 | 12 | 19% |
| 1988 | 10 | 18% |
| 1987 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1994 Dodge Dakota
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 complaintsExterior lighting
5 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