1996 Dodge Dakota Pickup
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 35 of 189 complaints (19%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 208 in 1995 to 189 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Standard Pickup Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–4,800 | 3,100–4,800 | 3,100–4,800 | 3,100–4,800 | |
| Combined MPG | 13–22 | 13–20 | 13–20 | 13–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–20 / 16–25 | 12–19 / 16–23 | 12–18 / 16–23 | 12–18 / 16–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–684 | 444–684 | 444–684 | 444–684 | |
| Complaints filed | 208 | 189 | 446 | 545 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 2 | 12 | 12 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 38 | 20 | 42 | 43 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 6 | 7 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 23 | 8 | 30 | 29 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| Configurations compared | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Dakota Pickup have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Dodge Dakota Pickup?
Body, Seats & Latches: 35 of 189 NHTSA complaints (19%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Dodge Dakota Pickup get?
EPA rates it 13–20 MPG combined across 9 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Dodge Dakota Pickup?
EPA estimates $3,100–$4,800 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 19 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 444 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.9L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.9L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 12 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 12 mpg (low) | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 28 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 19 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 28 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 27 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 24 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 35 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E049000 · Jun 5, 2006
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST · Campaign 95V199000 · Nov 1, 1995
Defect: 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.