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1995 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 166.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 24 of 208 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

38 crash reports6 fire reports22 injury reports

What owners actually said

208 reports
100,000 miles · Aug 15, 2004
Structure

ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO, PAINT STARTED TO BLOW OFF MY 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. THIS TRUCK HAS HAD NO BODY WORK DONE AND HAS SUFFERED NO DAMAGE. THE PAINT IS PEELING IN MANY PLACES ALL OVER THE CAB AND IN A COUPLE OF AREAS HAS BEGUN TO RUST. PAINT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 9 YEARS AND I AM SURPRISED THAT DODGE WOULD ALLOW SUCH A PROBLEM FOR TH…

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ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO, PAINT STARTED TO BLOW OFF MY 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. THIS TRUCK HAS HAD NO BODY WORK DONE AND HAS SUFFERED NO DAMAGE. THE PAINT IS PEELING IN MANY PLACES ALL OVER THE CAB AND IN A COUPLE OF AREAS HAS BEGUN TO RUST. PAINT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 9 YEARS AND I AM SURPRISED THAT DODGE WOULD ALLOW SUCH A PROBLEM FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. MY VEHICLE IS A 1995 CLUB CAB SHORT BED 4X4 AND IS TWO TONE BLUE AND GREY IN COLOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10086877

49,660 miles · Jul 11, 2004
Power Train

TRANSMISION DOESN'T LIKE TO UP SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR UNLES I LET OFF THE THROTEL. ALSO TRUCK HAS ROLED WHEN IN PARK 5 TIMES.I CONTACTED DEALOR ABOUT THIS4 TO8 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROB. DEALER CHANGED TRANS FLUID/FILTER 2 TIMES THIS DID NOT WORK.I HAVE ONLY HADE MY DAKOTA SENCE 02/17/03.I TALKED TO DODGE CUST …

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TRANSMISION DOESN'T LIKE TO UP SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR UNLES I LET OFF THE THROTEL. ALSO TRUCK HAS ROLED WHEN IN PARK 5 TIMES.I CONTACTED DEALOR ABOUT THIS4 TO8 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROB. DEALER CHANGED TRANS FLUID/FILTER 2 TIMES THIS DID NOT WORK.I HAVE ONLY HADE MY DAKOTA SENCE 02/17/03.I TALKED TO DODGE CUST SERV THEY SAID THEY HAD NO COMPLANTS ON THIS TRUCK.UNLES DODGE HAS A RECAL I WILL LOOK AT OTHER BRANDS OF TRUCK.INCIDENT IS ON GOING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10080791

20,000 miles · Mar 17, 2004
SuspensionInjury

I OWNED A 1995 DODGE DAKOTA 4 X 4 THAT LOST THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL ON THE INTERSTATE (AT 65 MPH) IN DECEMBER 1996. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN INTO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP SHOP THE WEEK BEFORE BECAUSE, THE FRONT END WAS MAKING A NOISE AND, PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE SHOP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ONE WEEK L…

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I OWNED A 1995 DODGE DAKOTA 4 X 4 THAT LOST THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL ON THE INTERSTATE (AT 65 MPH) IN DECEMBER 1996. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN INTO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP SHOP THE WEEK BEFORE BECAUSE, THE FRONT END WAS MAKING A NOISE AND, PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE SHOP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ONE WEEK LATER I HAD THIS ACCIDENT .I NOW HAVE A PERMANENT NECK AND, BACK INJURY WHICH REQUIRE ME TO BE ON PAIN MANAGEMENT,HAVE EPIDURALS EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR THE CHRONIC CERVICAL AND,LUMBAR PAIN. I ALSO MISS WORK DUE TO THIS CONDITION. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER DODGE KNEW THERE WAS A DEFECT AT THIS TIME. I CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT, WAS NOT ABLE TO PURSUE THIS DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO A DODGE DEALERSHIP BY THE WRECKER, WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AND, WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO OBTAIN THE PARTS OR, WHEEL FROM MY VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT A EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE TO AVOID ANYONE ELSE BEING PERMANENTLY HURT OR, KILLED FOR CORPORATE GREED. PS..... I HAVE THE VIN # [XXX].. YOUR FORM DID NOT ACCEPT THIS VIN #. ALSO, THIS WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE POLICE AS THIS WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE INVOLVED. BUT, ALLSTATE INSURANCE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AND, MY MEDICAL COSTS. *NM UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10062396

23,588 miles · Mar 5, 2004
SteeringSuspension

I AM SUBMITTING THIS REPORT AS A RESULT OF THE REPORTED ONGOING INVESTIGATION REGARDING A DAKOTA/DURANGO WHEEL PROBLEM. ON 21 MAY 97 THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY OF MY 1995 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK COLLAPSED JUST AFTER I HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. VIN NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAI…

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I AM SUBMITTING THIS REPORT AS A RESULT OF THE REPORTED ONGOING INVESTIGATION REGARDING A DAKOTA/DURANGO WHEEL PROBLEM. ON 21 MAY 97 THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY OF MY 1995 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK COLLAPSED JUST AFTER I HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. VIN NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED (INVOICE STATES SEIZED AND BROKEN STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY). I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN NOV 94. I PREVIOUSLY HAD REPORTED A PROBLEM REGARDING A NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO THE DEALER IN MARCH 95 (BUSHINGS REPLACED); APRIL 95 (REPLACED UPPER SPRING INSULATORS) AND AGAIN IN MAY 96 (FRONT END LUBRICATED). I HAVE THE DEALER REPAIR INVOICES DOCUMENTING THESE PROBLEMS AND THE CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN. *JB UPDATED 08/03/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10060487

90,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

THIS IS JUST A RUN DOWN ON REPAIRS I MADE TO MY VEHICLE, BUT THEY ARE PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AT THE FACTORY. FIRST OF ALL, THE BRAKE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I KNOW OF THAT HAS TO HAVE AIR IN THE FRONT CALIPHERS TO WORK. I HAD TO PUT BEARINGS IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL AS…

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THIS IS JUST A RUN DOWN ON REPAIRS I MADE TO MY VEHICLE, BUT THEY ARE PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AT THE FACTORY. FIRST OF ALL, THE BRAKE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I KNOW OF THAT HAS TO HAVE AIR IN THE FRONT CALIPHERS TO WORK. I HAD TO PUT BEARINGS IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLIES. THE FRONT ONE CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITHOUT A BEARING IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA ODI #10071230

49,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train

WHEN I DRIVE 50 + MILES, TRANSMISSION WON'T UP SHIFT UNLESS I TAKE FOOT OFF GAS, IT HAS DONE THIS ABOUT 12 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN FEB . ALSO TRUCK HAS ROLLED AHEAD WHEN IN PARK 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN FEB.

NHTSA ODI #10070508

5,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

WHEN TRYING TO USE HEADLIGHTS HIGH BEAM, THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ALL TOGETHER. BILL LUKE DODGE REPLACED A COMPONENT AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. A VIBRATION WAS NOTED AT AROUD 27 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAT 5,000 MILES. IT TOOK TWO TRIPS TO GET THEM TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AN FIX IT BY REPLACING THE DRIVE SHAFT UNDE…

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WHEN TRYING TO USE HEADLIGHTS HIGH BEAM, THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ALL TOGETHER. BILL LUKE DODGE REPLACED A COMPONENT AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. A VIBRATION WAS NOTED AT AROUD 27 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAT 5,000 MILES. IT TOOK TWO TRIPS TO GET THEM TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AN FIX IT BY REPLACING THE DRIVE SHAFT UNDER WARRENTY. YOU ASKED THE QUESTION IF THE TRUCK HAD BEEN IN A CRASH. IT WAS A LESS THAN 10 MPH FENDER BENDER WHEN A VAN PULLED INTO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF AND SOME ON THE SIDE OF THE BOX.

NHTSA ODI #10069759

96,850 miles · Nov 10, 2003
Seats

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BROKE WHEN SITTING DOWN AND I FELL BACK. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWS THAT THE BOTTOM BOLT AND MIDDLE SCREW SNAPPED. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN IF I WAS ON A FREEWAY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10045903

125,000 miles · Sep 15, 2003
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SEATBELT LATCH PLASTIC CASE CRACKED, CAUSING SEATBELT TO REMAIN LATCHED. CONTACTED 2 CHRYLSER DEALERSHIPS. ONE WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE OTHER DID A COMPUTER SEARCH FOR ALL DODGE WAREHOUSES. FOUND NO PARTS IN STOCK IN PROPER COLOR. THERE WAS AN ESTIMATED 8 MONTH WAIT FOR PART. PART WAS REPLACED BY USED PART, FOUND AT A …

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DRIVER'S SEATBELT LATCH PLASTIC CASE CRACKED, CAUSING SEATBELT TO REMAIN LATCHED. CONTACTED 2 CHRYLSER DEALERSHIPS. ONE WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE OTHER DID A COMPUTER SEARCH FOR ALL DODGE WAREHOUSES. FOUND NO PARTS IN STOCK IN PROPER COLOR. THERE WAS AN ESTIMATED 8 MONTH WAIT FOR PART. PART WAS REPLACED BY USED PART, FOUND AT A JUNKYARD. SECOND PART FAILED AS WELL, HELD TOGETHER BY TAPE AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10038926

13,000 miles · Aug 13, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JERK AND THEN STALL WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10033866

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP03002 · Steering Column Separation

Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column

MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.

DP02009 · Frame Cracks

Opened Sep 30, 2002 · Closed Jan 8, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

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 REGISTER NOTICE (VOL. 68, NO. 3, MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2003) THE PETITION IS DENIED.