The 1996 Dodge Dakota has 216 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine and engine cooling. Owners most often flag automatic transmission failure: premature failure requiring multiple replacements, described as "not a matter of if, but when." frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1996 Dodge Dakota vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 5 Dakota model years we track, complaint volume runs from 144 (2007) to 690 (1999). With 216 complaints, the 1996 Dakota sits belowthe model's median of 470.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E049000CERTAIN 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 AMBE…
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Campaign 95V199000THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND NOT CLAMPED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM NIPPLE.
Sentiment is highly polarized and heavily dependent on the specific vehicle's maintenance history and powertrain. Owner experiences range from "fantastic and very reliable" long-term ownership with minimal issues to catastrophic, repeated…
Owner insights cover all generations of the Dakota. See the full Dakota owner picture and every model year.
Used Dakota listings typically run $6,995–$11,670 across 1998 to 2010 model years.
Compare every Dakota year side by side to see how 1996 ranks against the rest.