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 FIG…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10852801
235,000 miles · Jan 19, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10560574
1,000 miles · Nov 28, 2010
Structure
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
NHTSA ODI #10368018
88,500 miles · Jan 15, 2004
StructureCrash
THE WELD ON THE LOWER, DRIVER'S SIDE, DOOR HINGE COMPLETELY SEPARATED. IN MY ATTEMPT TO GET IT REPAIRED, THE LOCAL WELDERS AND BODY SHOP GUYS TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON THE DAKOTAS AND THEY KNEW EXACTLY HOW TO REPAIR IT. THE FAILURE OF THAT HINGE MAKES IT DIFICULT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE-I BENT THE FRONT QUART…
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THE WELD ON THE LOWER, DRIVER'S SIDE, DOOR HINGE COMPLETELY SEPARATED. IN MY ATTEMPT TO GET IT REPAIRED, THE LOCAL WELDERS AND BODY SHOP GUYS TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON THE DAKOTAS AND THEY KNEW EXACTLY HOW TO REPAIR IT. THE FAILURE OF THAT HINGE MAKES IT DIFICULT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE-I BENT THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL WHERE THE DOOR MEETS IT WHEN IT FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #10068926
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2003
Structure
PAINT ON HOOD AND TOP OF TRUCK HAVE BEEN PEELING OFF. ALSO, THE HINGE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR HAS BROKEN OFF OF THE METAL. IN HEARING FROM OTHERS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT ON EITHER ISSUE LISTED ABOVE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10021161
101,000 miles · Mar 11, 2003
Structure
FRAME CRACKED IN HALF BEHIND THE SUSPENSION ON PASSENGER SIDE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10010264
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2002
Structure
LOCKING MECHANISM FOR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MALFUNCTIONED. UNABLE TO CLOSE DOOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012193
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2001
StructureWheels
DOOR HINGES SEIZED AND CAUSED THE HINGES TO BE REPLACED ON THE FIRST FAILURE. THE SECOND FAILURE RESULTED IN HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DRIVERS DOOR AND HINGES. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE TIRES, ALL 6 WHEEL STUDS BROKE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I COMPLETED THE WHEEL STUD REPLACEMENT MY SELF.*AK
NHTSA ODI #754147
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
Structure
WELDS ON BOTTOM HINGE OF DRIVERS DOOR HAVE BROKEN. DOOR IS HANGING BY TOP HINGE ONLY.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #894398
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2001
Structure
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE CAME OFF BODY OF TRUCK. THERE WAS ONLY ONE HINGE ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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.
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