1995 Dodge Dakota: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 208 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (12% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 208 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I bought this 1995 Dodge Dakota brand new in 1995 and it only has original 92,110 miles on it. The problem with this Dakota I have replaced the Drivers front seat belt and the replacement again is falling apart again where it will not release for a person to get out of. I don't know if the air bags will not deploy if the seat belt is not working properly. Again the seat belt needs to be replaced again as it physically is falling apart again.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 dodge dakota equipped with goodyear assurance tires, size: 215/75r/15 (na). While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle shook violently. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed moderate tire separation on the sidewalls of the front and rear passenger side tires. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was called, but there was no response. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The tire failure mileage was approximately 4,263. The VIN and vehicle failure mileage were unknown.”Owner report · Tires · May 2018
“My daughter's seat belt would not unlatch. She could not get out of the car. She had to leave and drive back home, where her dad was able to get her out with a screw drive. Our mechanic said dodge no longer carries these seat belts.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“My daughter, who was the driver, was unable to unlatch her seat belt. Her boyfriend had to force it apart in order for her to be able to exit the car. Now it is broken...she was at a standstill at her boyfriend's house.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to pass the state vehicle inspection due to the frame being corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure and stated that the damage was beyond repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2014
“Not sure what happened...just a gradual downfall of the gasket on the windshield that is now completely out of the window on the passenger side in the upper corner..can see the curve of the gasket out of the window...its as if it shrunk from one week to the next. *tr”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Dec 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 dodge dakota sport. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the front driver and passenger side seat belts failed to release after the release button was depressed. The release button also detached from its housing. The vehicle was not taken to the repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. Updated 02/15/12*lj updated 03/05/12”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2011
“There seemed to be an increasing amount of "play" in the steering. It has now gotten to the point I don't feel comfortable driving this truck long distances. I looked underneath the front end, and the steering rack moves from side to side approximately 1/2 -1". *tr”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2010
“Pickup was parked in drive way on a thursday evening appros 1700 hrs, on sat appros 1730 hrs the horn sounded and the windows appeared to be tinted, investigation showed the steering column to be ablaze, firedept called and fire extinguished, steering column total loss. Vehicle unusable. Total loss. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2008
“Tl* - the contact owns a 1995 dodge dakota. While driving the vehicl the driver saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over, and the headlights were turned off. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 38 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1995 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Dakota by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Dodge Dakota reliable?
NHTSA has 208 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1995 Dodge Dakota. The most complained-about area is power train (12% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Dakota problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 98,425 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Dodge Dakota have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.