1996 Dodge DAKOTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
105 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
88,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 105 complaints (7.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 15.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 81 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 22 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 20; 2000: 15; 2001: 22; 2002: 8; 2003: 11; 2004: 11; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000358 · 2002-12-25 (December 25, 2002)
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1996 DODGE DAKOTA PU. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALITIC CONVERTER AS THOUGH IT'S CLOGGING UP AND OR FALLING APART INTERNALLY. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND ALSO WHAT ARE ALL OF THE RECALLS ISSUED ON THE 1996 DODGE DAKOTA, SO THAT I CAN GET ALL OF THEM FIXED, EVEN IF IT IS AT MY EXPENSE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006867 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
THE BUSHINGS ON THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010264 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
FRAME CRACKED IN HALF BEHIND THE SUSPENSION ON PASSENGER SIDE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010478 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
THE WATER PUMP FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010478 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016472 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
PLASTIC COVERS CAME OFF OF DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THEN SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE BECAUSE ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN. THE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE PRIED APART WITH A SCREWDRIVER SO THAT I COULD GET OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 69,890 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018995 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-10 WESTBOUND, JUST WEST OF TALLAHASSEE FL, THE TREAD SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM MY LEFT REAR TIRE, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL FOR A FEW SECONDS. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC NEARBY, AND I DIDN'T USE MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO MY LEFT REAR FENDER AND WHEEL WELL. MY SPEED WAS AROUND 75 MPH, THE HIGHWAY WAS STRAIGHT, MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS 32 PSI (COLD). I WASN'T SURE WHAT HAD HAPPENED, BUT WHEN THE THUMPING ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY TRUCK STOPPED, I CHECKED BEHIND ME AND SAW A TIRE TREAD BELT ON THE HI…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019520 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER IN 1999 STATING THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE EXHAUST OUTER MANIFOLD STUDS, AND AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MANIFOLD, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE MANIFOLD STUDS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019729 · 2003-05-13 (May 13, 2003)
THE FRONT SEATBACK LATCHES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DRIVER'S LATCH DOES NOT LOCK ALLOWING THE SEATBACK TO MOVE FORWARD DURING SUDDEN TURNS. THE PASSENGER SEATBACK WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK TO BE ADJUSTED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER CAN NOT ADD OR REMOVE PASSENGERS FROM EXTENDED CAB ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019729 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V199000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
Reported: 1995-10-20 (October 20, 1995)
THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND NOT CLAMPED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM NIPPLE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗