MYRModel Year Report

1996 Dodge Dakota

● Typical for this model
1996 Dodge Dakota
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:37:03.155Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Dakota Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaints 1987: 20 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1989 1990: 63 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1992: 216 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 166 complaints 1995: 208 complaints 1996: 189 complaints 1996 1997: 446 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 641 complaints 2000: 806 complaints 2001: 678 complaints 2001 2002: 678 complaints 2003: 295 complaints 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2005 2006: 283 complaints 2007: 144 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints 2011
1996: 189 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19861
198720
198855
198963
199063
1991128
1992216
1993134
1994166
1995208
1996189
1997446
1998545
1999641
2000806
2001678
2002678
2003295
2004206
2005470
2006283
2007144
200891
200918
201035
201144

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE ON 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *BF *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20050314

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING A COLLISION, RESULTING IN SOME RIB BRUISES. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960228

NO DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DURING A COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960228

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4%

4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19951129 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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.

Campaign 95V199000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020930 — DP (closed 20030108)

FRAME CRACKS

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 95V199000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2011 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ■ 2002 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Dodge Dakota is rated "typical".

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

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 8% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Dakota have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.