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1996 Dodge DakotaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 189 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge Dakota, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year9% below the Dakota median · #13 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints18934 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem28Power train

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 31, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Dodge Dakota has problems

189 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train284
Engine and engine cooling271
Service brakes, hydraulic232
Electrical system195
Structure181
Air bags1211
Seat belts120
Suspension120
Fuel system, gasoline100
11 other systems734

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1996 Dodge Dakota recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

Recall 95V-199 · Oct 20, 1995 · 600 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Dakota year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Dakota median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Dodge Dakota safety ratings

1996 Dodge Dakota in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Dodge Dakota, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FRAME CRACKSDP02009 · closed Jan 8, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Dakota owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK LATER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE BATTERY WAS BAD, THE TRANSMISSION WAS BLOWN OUT DUE TO FLAT BEARING ALSO, THE CHECK LIGHT ENGINE KEPT FLASHING. THE CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIND AN ADEQUATE…
Complaint 10039956 · Dec 9, 2003
5 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 5 YEAR VEHICLE WILL SPUTTER AND WILL DIE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON AT THE SAME TIME AND 4 TIMES VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHO KEEPS TELLING CONSUMER BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE 5TH TIME DEALER CLAIMS THROTTLE HOUSING NEEDED TO BE CLEANED BUT 2 MONTHS…
Complaint 893510 · Aug 6, 2001
WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK IT WILL JUMP OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A DOWN HILL INCLINE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *SLC
Complaint 893451 · Aug 6, 2001

Own a 1996 Dakota?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.