NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Dodge Dakota has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 189 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Dodge Dakota, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Dodge Dakota owner complaints

Owners have filed 189 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Dakota, describing incidents dated July 10, 1995 to January 1, 2016.

Most-cited components

Power Train 28 complaints
Engine 27 complaints
Service Brakes 21 complaints
Electrical System 18 complaints
Structure 18 complaints
Air Bags 12 complaints

Of the 189 complaints on file, 20 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 189 complaints, owners report 8 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10852801 · Filed March 31, 2016
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…
ODI #10788427 · Filed November 4, 2015
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…
ODI #10726478 · Filed June 22, 2015
THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT GOING DOWN THE ROAD.

Read all 189 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Dodge Dakota in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP02-009: FRAME CRACKS
Closed January 8, 2003

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E049000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2006 · CK MOTORSPORT, INC.

Potentially affected: 27,176 vehicles

Owners notified July 1, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist

NHTSA #95V199000 · NHTSA notice

Reported October 20, 1995 · CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 600 vehicles

Owners notified November 29, 1995 · Vehicles built September 1, 1995 – September 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND NOT CLAMPED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM NIPPLE.

Safety consequence

A DISCONNECTED VACUUM HOSE CAN CAUSE AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; POWER ASSIST; VACUUM SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINE.NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1996 Dodge Dakota

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

189 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge Dakota.

Structure

ODI #10852801

Incident: January 1, 2016 · Filed: March 31, 2016

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

Seat Belts

ODI #10788427

Incident: July 15, 2013 · Filed: November 4, 2015

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.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10726478

Incident: April 2, 2014 · Filed: June 22, 2015

THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT GOING DOWN THE ROAD.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Engine and Engine Cooling; Structure

ODI #10560574

Incident: September 10, 2013 · Filed: January 19, 2014

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 MIGHT DO THIS WHILE ON THE FREE WAY. ALSO, OF 3 O2 SENSORS THAT'S JUST ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ALL THREE HAVE LEFT THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND HAVE TESTED FAULTY. I HAVE YET TO RETURN TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEMS SHOP TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT DUE TO IT BEING UNDER WARRANTY, BUT MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT MOSTLY BECAUSE THERE'S AN UNNEEDED AMOUNT OF EXTRA POWER GOING TO THE O2 SENSOR WHICH IS CAUSING IT TO FAULT. ANYHOW, I APPRECIATE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE LOOKED AT INTO THIS, BECAUSE I DO LIVE ON A HILLY SUBURB AND I RATHER NOT TAKE THE FAULT OF MY VEHICLE FAILING AND DAMAGING STATE, NEIGHBORS OR EVEN MY OWN PROPERTY, LET ALONE MYSELF GETTING HURT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10450664

Incident: March 4, 2012 · Filed: March 7, 2012

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.

Structure

ODI #10368018

Incident: January 1, 1996 · Filed: November 28, 2010

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

Electrical System

ODI #10240871

Incident: May 21, 2002 · Filed: September 4, 2008

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.

Seat Belts

ODI #10192903

Incident: January 1, 2007 · Filed: June 11, 2007

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.

Seat Belts

ODI #10185742

Incident: March 21, 2007 · Filed: March 21, 2007

TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD 2 REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCH IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE SPRINGS CONTINUE TO FALL FROM IT. HE STATED THAT HE HAS TO REPLACE THIS AGAIN AND FELT THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT USED ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Seat Belts; Vehicle Speed Control; Electrical System

ODI #10172541

Incident: October 27, 2006 · Filed: November 3, 2006

OCTOBER 27, 2006 I TOOK 2 FRIENDS TO TOWN AND WHEN THE PERSON IN THE MIDDLE SEAT COULD NOT GET THE SEAT BELT TO RELEASE AFTER SEVERAL TRIES I CUT THE SEAT BELT TO GET HIM OUT. NOVEMBER 2, 2006 I WAS PICKING UP MY HUSBAND FROM THE DOCTORS OFFICE AND MY SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND AGAIN I HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT, SO I COULD GET OUT. ON A RECENT TRIP OF 2400 MILES THE OIL GAUGE WAS PASSED THE MIDDLE OF THE GAUGE WHICH NEAR THE (H) WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I HAD TO STOP AND LET THE MOTOR COMPLETELY COOL DOWN BEFORE THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK AGAIN IN THE DASH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM MICHIGAN THE ACCELORATOR PEDEL FELL OFF IN THE MOUNTAINS IN GEORGIA AND I HAD TO PUT THE PLASTIC HOLDERS ON VERY CAREFULLY SO I COULD GET TO THE NEXT TOWN AND THERE A AUTO PARTS STORE EMPLOYEE PUT A (C) CLAMP ON THE HOLDER TO SECURE THE PEDAL ENOUGH FOR ME TO MAKE IT HOME. I STILL HAD 400 MILES TO GO AND WAS VERY APPREHENSIVE ALL THE WAY HOME AND NOW WITH THE SEAT BELT FAILURES I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE TRUCK . WE ARE RETIRED AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WE WOULD PUT THIS IN THE JUNK YARD. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD TRUCK UP UNTIL NOW AND WE HAVE NEVER ABUSED IT IN ANY WAY AND NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT.

Other Dodge Dakota model years

Check your 1996 Dodge Dakota VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Dakota at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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