1996 Dodge Dakota problems
The 1996 Dodge Dakota has 250 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (11%) concerns brakes. After that come engine (10%) and transmission (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 250 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 11% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 24 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 11 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 89,000 miles 29 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 29 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 89,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 24 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 11 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 21 model years of the Dodge Dakota with enough data (150 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Owner was involved in an direct frontal impact and there was no deployment of driver's side airbag. Owner was traveling at 40 MPH at time of accident. The cause has not been determined.
While this vehicle was parked it slipped out of gear and started rolling backwards. While trying to stop the vehicle, it ran over consumer's legsand left knee. Vehicle was stopped by running into another vehicle. Dealer was contacted.
Was going 50mp when vehicle started to hydroplane, hit an 18 wheeler. Tire blewout, and front end of truck hit ground. Ran into culbrecht at 50MPH. Upon impact neither air bag deployed. Also, air conditioner did not work. Air bag light kept coming on. Insurance inspector checked vehicle. Chrysler inspector informed owner not enough force for air bags to deploy. Driver sustained the following injuries, fractured nose/disorientation and bruises.
Dear david, thank you for your recent email to daimlerchrysler motors regarding your 996 dodge dakota. I'm sorry to hear about the recurring problem you've experienced with your parking brake. Daimlerchrysler original mopar parts are designed with the highest standards in mind. We have every confidence in the quality of our parts.
Within one month of each other, each of my two front firestone tires went flat. The treads were shreaded and coming loose from the tire. One of these events occured while driving on a freeway. There were no warning signs and tires had been recently checked for tread depth, balance and inflation.