The 1996 Dodge Dakota has 2 safety recalls and 189 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (33 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints189filed by owners
Crashes · fires20 · 6reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 1reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E049000 · May 24, 2006 · 27,176 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist
NHTSA recall 95V199000 · Oct 20, 1995 · 600 vehicles
Problem: THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND NOT CLAMPED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM NIPPLE.
Risk: A DISCONNECTED VACUUM HOSE CAN CAUSE AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO INSURE THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE CONNECTION IS FULLY SEATED AND CLAMPED TO THE VACUUM CHECK VALVE NIPPLE AT THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1996 Dodge Dakota
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Dakota Pickup 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Dakota Pickup 2WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.9 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Dakota Pickup 2WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Dakota Pickup 2WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Dakota Pickup 4WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.9 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Dakota Pickup 2WD
14mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Dakota Pickup 4WD
14mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Dakota Pickup 4WD
14mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Dakota Pickup 4WD
13mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 16 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
Vehicle speed control Cruise control; Accelerator pedal
10
0
0
0
—
Wheels Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs; Hubcap/cover
9
0
0
0
—
Visibility Windshield wiper/washer; Power window devices and controls
9
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 1, 2016 · 144,000 milesStructure › Body I HAVE A 96 DODGE DAKOTA THAT FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. IT HAS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE HOOKS UP SO NOW NO EMERGENCY BRAKES. TUBULAR FRAME IS RUSTED OUT IN ABOUT 3 PLACES, A BUMPER BRACKET RUSTED OUT. I HAVE TRIED TWICE TO PAINT FRAME WITH OUT ANY SUCCESS. BODY IS NOT RUSTING AT ALL. I AM ALSO A VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER. CALLED DODGE AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY ARE DOING TO FIX OR RECALL THIS PROBLEMS DONE RESEARCH AND MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS BEEN HAPPENING TO. INCLUDED A YOUTUBE VIDEO OF ONE THAT THEY TOOK THE BODY OFF OF HTTP://WWW.BING.COM/VIDEOS/SEARCH?Q=96+DODGE+DAKOTA+FRAME+PROBLEMS+YOUTUBE&VIEW=DETAIL&MID=4094674F6964C6F203F74094674F6964C6F203F7&FORM=VIRE
Jul 15, 2013 · 113,000 milesSeat belts TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS FRACTURED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Apr 2, 2014Exterior lighting THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT GOING DOWN THE ROAD.
Sep 10, 2013 · 235,000 milesStructure › Body AT IDLE/PARK MY 1996 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 V8 5.2L SLT WILL SPUTTER AND SOMETIMES KILL THE ENGINE. NOW I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S A SAFETY FEATURE SO THE ENGINE DOESN'T OVER FLOOD ITSELF, BUT I'VE REPLACED THE IAC VALVE, PCV VALVE, DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR/CAP, AND SPARK PLUGS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I RECENT HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THE CONDITIONS OUT WE'RE SOMEWHAT ICY AND MID TURN INTO A PARKING LOT I TOOK A BLOW TO A FIRE HYDRANT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE KILLED ITSELF, MEANING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I WAS FINE, BUT MY VEHICLES BODY TOOK THE DAMAGE. LUCKILY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DIDN'T DEPLOY BUT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP A LOT WITH THE 1995-1996 DAKOTAS. AND HONESTLY I'M SCARED THAT THE VEHICLE…
Mar 4, 2012 · 130,000 milesVehicle speed control TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED WHEN HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Jan 1, 1996 · 1,000 milesStructure DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE 11/20/ 2010 PAINT OFF HOOD AND TOP . THEY WERE PAINTED THREE TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. 1996 MODEL WITH 69,000 MILES. *TR
May 21, 2002 · 78,000 milesElectrical system LIGHT SWITCH ON 1996 DODGE DAKATO,WIRES ON SWITCH WAS BURNING UP TOOK TO DODGE DEALER AND WAS ASK IF I TOWED ANYTHING MY ANSWER WAS YES HIS RESPONSE WAS THAT THE SWITCH WAS NOT COMPATIBLE FOR TOWING WHICH CAUSE MY CONNECTION TO BURN.
Jan 1, 2007Seat belts TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. HE STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS HAVE FALLEN APART. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT AND WAS FORCED TO CRAWL OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE SEAT BELTS. THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS; BUT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. THE SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN APPEARS TO BE INVALID.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP02009 · opened Sep 30, 2002 · closed Jan 8, 2003FRAME CRACKS MR. EDWARD W. BAILEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION BY LETTER, UNDATED, REQUESTING THAT AN INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED INTO THE MATTER OF A FRAME CRACK IN HIS 1995 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CRACKED, THROUGH NO FAULT OR RESPONSIBILITY OF HIS OWN, AND BELIEVES THAT THIS DEFICIENCY CONSTITUTES A SAFETY DEFECT, WHICH HE ALLEGES MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A CRASH.FOR THE 1993 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR DAKOTA TRUCKS, THEONLY COMPLAINTS OF FRAME CRACKING WERE ON THE 1995 AND 1996 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. A REVIEW OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF FRAME CRACKING ON THE DAKOTA, AND PEER VEHICLES, DID NOT REVEAL ANY LOSS OF CONTROL, CRASHES, INJURIES OR FATALITIES.FRAME CRACKING ON THE DAKOTA TRUCKS OCCURED AT AN AVERAGE MILEAGE OF93,000. FOR THE REASONS STATED IN THEFEDERAL…