← New search

1996 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 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 189 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports6 fire reports8 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

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 DEALERSHIP TO FIX PR…

Read full complaint

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 DEALERSHIP TO FIX PROBLEMS. *CB THE VEHICLE WOBBLED BACK AND FORTH, THE CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED THE WHEELS WERE FLAWED. THE GAS TANK LEVEL WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10039956

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2001
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. *AK THE BRAKES FAIED COMPLETELY AT 16,000, 19,000 AND 20,000 MILES. ALSO, THE BATTERY FAILED AT 28,000 MILES. *YH

NHTSA ODI #884966

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages

THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS HAVE RUSTED, CONSUMER COULD NOT OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR DUE TO PROBLEM. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #552554

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 1998
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

LESS THAN 30 DAYS AFTER PRUCHASE, ATTEMPTED TO PUT VEHICLE IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND IT WOULD NOT GO ENGAGE. THE NEXT DAY VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART.

NHTSA ODI #538692

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Fuel System, GasolineSuspension

FUEL PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #605310

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #518497

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

POOR LOCATION OF THE AIR CLEANER INTAKE, CAUSING VENTURI EFFECT TO SUCK UP WATER WHEN GOING THROUGH PUDDLES, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE/NOISES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #506527

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE STOPPED ON FREEWAY WITHOUT WARNING, COMPLETE MALFUNCTION OF FUEL PUMP/FUEL SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #987025

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE VEHICLE KEEPS RUNNING OUT OF GAS EVEN WHEN THE TANK SAYS IT IS FUEL AND STALLS IN TRAFFIC. PLEASE DESRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #985162

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS COMES BACK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK, WHEN A PUMPING PROCESS IS ATTEMPTED. TT

NHTSA ODI #976539

Official recalls

1

95V199000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

Oct 20, 1995

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

Consequence & remedy

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.

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

1

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.