1996 Dodge Dakota Problems and Recalls (185 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1996 Dodge Dakota is Transmission / driveline (14% of 185 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 185 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 1996 Dodge Dakota?

25 of 185 filings named Transmission / driveline (14% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (23 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1995 has 204 reports on file; this year has 185. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1996 Dodge Dakota

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 25 complaints · 13.5% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 19
  • Fires 6
  • Injuries 8
  • Deaths 1
All Dodge Dakota years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 25 of 185 owner complaints (13.5%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 25 complaints, 13.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 crash reports 25 · 13.5% Engine (ENGINE): 23 complaints, 12.4% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 fire reports 23 · 12.4% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 17 complaints, 9.2% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 crash reports 17 · 9.2% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 15 complaints, 8.1% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 crash reports 15 · 8.1% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 13 complaints, 7.0% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 fire reports 13 · 7.0% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 11 complaints, 6.0% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 11 · 6.0% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 9 complaints, 4.9% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 9 crash reports 9 · 4.9% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 9 complaints, 4.9% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 9 · 4.9% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 9 complaints, 4.9% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 9 · 4.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 146 complaints, 78.9% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 16 crash reports 5 fire reports 146 · 78.9% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 25 13.5% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 23 12.4% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 17 9.2% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 15 8.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 13 7.0% 0 crashes · 5 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 11 6.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 9 4.9% 9 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 9 4.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 9 4.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 146 78.9% 16 crashes · 5 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 1995; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 1995. 1995-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 1995-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 1996-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 1996-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 1996-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 1996-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 1997-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 1997-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 1997-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 1997-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 1998-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 1998-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 1998-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 1998-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 1999-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 1999-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 1999-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 1999-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2000-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2000-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2000-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2001-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2001-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2001-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2003-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2003-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2004-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2004-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jul 1995 Jan 2016 Recall campaign 95V199000 ◆ Recall campaign 95V199000 Recall campaign 06E049000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E049000 Investigation DP02009 ● Investigation DP02009
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q3 Owner reports 1
1995-Q4 Owner reports 2
1996-Q1 Owner reports 9
1996-Q2 Owner reports 2
1996-Q3 Owner reports 10
1996-Q4 Owner reports 8
1997-Q1 Owner reports 6
1997-Q2 Owner reports 8
1997-Q3 Owner reports 7
1997-Q4 Owner reports 9
1998-Q1 Owner reports 4
1998-Q2 Owner reports 9
1998-Q3 Owner reports 4
1998-Q4 Owner reports 8
1999-Q1 Owner reports 4
1999-Q2 Owner reports 6
1999-Q3 Owner reports 4
1999-Q4 Owner reports 5
2000-Q1 Owner reports 4
2000-Q2 Owner reports 6
2000-Q4 Owner reports 4
2001-Q1 Owner reports 1
2001-Q2 Owner reports 13
2001-Q3 Owner reports 6
2001-Q4 Owner reports 1
2002-Q1 Owner reports 1
2002-Q2 Owner reports 3
2002-Q3 Owner reports 3
2002-Q4 Owner reports 1
2003-Q1 Owner reports 3
2003-Q2 Owner reports 5
2003-Q4 Owner reports 2
2004-Q1 Owner reports 4
2004-Q2 Owner reports 6
2004-Q3 Owner reports 1
2005-Q1 Owner reports 1
2005-Q2 Owner reports 1
2005-Q4 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 1
2006-Q3 Owner reports 1
2006-Q4 Owner reports 1
2007-Q1 Owner reports 1
2007-Q2 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2010-Q4 Owner reports 1
2012-Q1 Owner reports 1
2014-Q1 Owner reports 1
2015-Q2 Owner reports 1
2015-Q4 Owner reports 1
2016-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 95V199000
Recall campaign 1 06E049000
Defect investigation 1 DP02009
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 06E049000

    Safety recall 06E049000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 95V199000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    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.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 9 of 185 complaints · page 1 of 8
2016-03-31Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10852801
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2015-11-04Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 10788427
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2015-06-22EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NHTSA ODI 10726478
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT GOING DOWN THE ROAD.
2014-01-19Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10560574
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2012-03-07Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 10450664
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2010-11-28Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
NHTSA ODI 10368018
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2008-09-04Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10240871
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2007-06-11Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 10192903
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2007-03-21Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10185742
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1996 Dodge Dakota?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 25 of 185 reports (14%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Dodge Dakota?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1996 Dodge Dakota?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources