1996 Dodge Dakota problems
Owners have filed 250 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Dakota with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 13.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 11.2%.
Complaints250
Crashes24
Fires6
Injuries11
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Power train 13.2% · 33
Engine and engine cooling 11.2% · 28
Service brakes, hydraulic 9.2% · 23
Electrical system 7.6% · 19
Structure 7.2% · 18
Air bags 5.6% · 14
Suspension 5.2% · 13
Seat belts 4.8% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 24 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire, 11 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 18 model years of the Dodge Dakota in this data, 1996 sits 13th by complaint volume. 2000 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 6 in the last three years against 3 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 89,397 miles.
In owners' own words
Speedometer/odomoter will stop working intermittently. Sometimes a sharp rap above the assembly will make it work. This was repaired by dealer under warranty approximately 3 times about 4 or 5 years ago and has started occurring again. I think this is a major saftey hazard in that I do not know the speed I'm traveling when this occurs. Power train
Vehicle was placed in park position on a slight incline, upon exiting for a brief second, vehicle rolled backwards, injuring the consumer. Also, after the incident vehicle was still in the park position. Consumer has contacted dealer. *Ak Power train
While this vehicle was parked it slipped out of gear and started rolling backwards. While trying to stop the vehicle, it ran over consumer's legsand left knee. Vehicle was stopped by running into another vehicle. Dealer was contacted. Power train
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…