Model Year Problem Record

Dodge Dakota 1996 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1996 Dodge Dakota: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

189Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

30Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Power Train33

Brakes28

Engine28

Vehicle Speed Control10

Fuel and Propulsion System10

Seats9

Visibility9

Latches, Locks and Linkages8

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes28 complaints

28 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 95V199000.

Engine28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

95V199000Reported October 20, 1995 - 600 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on October 20, 1995. The campaign covers an estimated 600 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP02009Opened September 30, 2002 - Closed January 8, 2003

FRAME CRACKS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19953

199629

199730

199826

199919

200015

200122

20028

200311

200411

20053

20063

20072

20081

20101

20121

20141

20152

20161

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.