1996 Dodge Dakota: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 189 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (13% 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 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the seat belt buckle was fractured. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge dakota. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was a rapid increase in engine rpms. The contact shut the vehicle off but the failure continued when he restarted the engine. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*-the contact stated that his 1996 dodge dakota has had 2 replacement of the driver side seat belt latch. The contact stated that the latch is made of plastic and the springs continue to fall from it. He stated that he has to replace this again and felt that this was a defective product used on this vehicle. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 66,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge dakota. He stated that the front seat belts have fallen apart. He also stated that he was unable to release the seat belt and was forced to crawl out. The dealer stated that there were recalls; however, there were no recalls for the seat belts. They offered to replace the seat belts; but he would have to pay for the labor. The seat belts have not been replaced. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 160,000. The VIN appears to be invalid.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2007
“1996 dodge dakota slt, 5.2l, 4dr ( 99,000 mi) failed ca emission test on 7/8/06. Suspected reason for the high emission was failure of the catalytic converter. Daimler chrysler corp. (dcc) will not replace this converter at their expense even though they have a recall on some 1.5 million 1996 - 2001 vehicles for failed converters. No letter was received from them and when contacted, they say the vehicle is not on the list for recall. I believe this vehicle should be on the list. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 15 mph the bolt that holds the back of the driver seat fractured causing the seat to fall backwards. Although the dealership and manufacturer were alerted, no inspections have been made.”Owner report · Seats · May 2006
“Dt: the contact states the fuse in the relay switch was missing from anti lock brakes. He contacted the dealership and the manufacturer, and they could not determine why the fuse was missing.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2005
“Within one month of each other, each of my two front firestone tires went flat. The treads were shreaded and coming loose from the tire. One of these events occured while driving on a freeway. There were no warning signs and tires had been recently checked for tread depth, balance and inflation. *jb”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2004
“The consumer took the vehicle to a tire shop to have the tires rotated and to get a front end alignment. The technician determined that the upper ball joints were wearing prematurely. *ak *nm”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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 1996 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 1996 Dodge Dakota reliable?
NHTSA has 189 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Dodge Dakota. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Dakota problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,750 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Dodge Dakota have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist. 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.