1996 Dodge Dakota Owner Complaints

I HAVE A 96 DODGE DAKOTA THAT FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. IT HAS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE HOOKS UP SO NOW NO EMERGENCY BRAKES. TUBULAR FRAME IS RUSTED OUT IN ABOUT 3 PLACES, A BUMPER BRACKET RUSTED OUT. I HAVE TRIED TWICE TO PAINT FRAME WITH OUT ANY SUCCESS. BODY IS NOT RUSTING AT ALL. I AM ALSO A VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER. CALLED DODGE AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY ARE DOING TO FIX OR RECALL THIS PROBLEMS DONE RESEARCH AND MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS BEEN HAPPENING TO. INCLUDED A YOUTUBE VIDEO OF ONE THAT THEY TOOK THE BODY OFF OF HTTP://WWW.BING.COM/VIDEOS/SEARCH?Q=96+DODGE+DAKOTA+FRAME+PROBLEMS+YOUTUBE&VIEW=DETAIL&MID=4094674F6964C6F203F74094674F6964C6F203F7&FORM=VIRE

NHTSA ID

10852801

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

Mileage

144,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS FRACTURED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ID

10788427

Incident

Jul 15, 2013

Mileage

113,000 mi

THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT GOING DOWN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

10726478

Incident

Apr 2, 2014

AT IDLE/PARK MY 1996 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 V8 5.2L SLT WILL SPUTTER AND SOMETIMES KILL THE ENGINE. NOW I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S A SAFETY FEATURE SO THE ENGINE DOESN'T OVER FLOOD ITSELF, BUT I'VE REPLACED THE IAC VALVE, PCV VALVE, DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR/CAP, AND SPARK PLUGS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I RECENT HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THE CONDITIONS OUT WE'RE SOMEWHAT ICY AND MID TURN INTO A PARKING LOT I TOOK A BLOW TO A FIRE HYDRANT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE KILLED ITSELF, MEANING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I WAS FINE, BUT MY VEHICLES BODY TOOK THE DAMAGE. LUCKILY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DIDN'T DEPLOY BUT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP A LOT WITH THE 1995-1996 DAKOTAS. AND HONESTLY I'M SCARED THAT THE VEHICLE MIGHT DO THIS WHILE ON THE FREE WAY. ALSO, OF 3 O2 SENSORS THAT'S JUST ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ALL THREE HAVE LEFT THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND HAVE TESTED FAULTY. I HAVE YET TO RETURN TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEMS SHOP TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT DUE TO IT BEING UNDER WARRANTY, BUT MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT MOSTLY BECAUSE THERE'S AN UNNEEDED AMOUNT OF EXTRA POWER GOING TO THE O2 SENSOR WHICH IS CAUSING IT TO FAULT. ANYHOW, I APPRECIATE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE LOOKED AT INTO THIS, BECAUSE I DO LIVE ON A HILLY SUBURB AND I RATHER NOT TAKE THE FAULT OF MY VEHICLE FAILING AND DAMAGING STATE, NEIGHBORS OR EVEN MY OWN PROPERTY, LET ALONE MYSELF GETTING HURT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10560574

Incident

Sep 10, 2013

Mileage

235,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED WHEN HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10450664

Incident

Mar 4, 2012

Mileage

130,000 mi

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE 11/20/ 2010 PAINT OFF HOOD AND TOP . THEY WERE PAINTED THREE TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. 1996 MODEL WITH 69,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10368018

Incident

Jan 1, 1996

Mileage

1,000 mi

LIGHT SWITCH ON 1996 DODGE DAKATO,WIRES ON SWITCH WAS BURNING UP TOOK TO DODGE DEALER AND WAS ASK IF I TOWED ANYTHING MY ANSWER WAS YES HIS RESPONSE WAS THAT THE SWITCH WAS NOT COMPATIBLE FOR TOWING WHICH CAUSE MY CONNECTION TO BURN.

NHTSA ID

10240871

Incident

May 21, 2002

Mileage

78,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. HE STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS HAVE FALLEN APART. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT AND WAS FORCED TO CRAWL OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE SEAT BELTS. THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS; BUT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. THE SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN APPEARS TO BE INVALID.

NHTSA ID

10192903

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD 2 REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCH IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE SPRINGS CONTINUE TO FALL FROM IT. HE STATED THAT HE HAS TO REPLACE THIS AGAIN AND FELT THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT USED ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ID

10185742

Incident

Mar 21, 2007

Mileage

30,000 mi

OCTOBER 27, 2006 I TOOK 2 FRIENDS TO TOWN AND WHEN THE PERSON IN THE MIDDLE SEAT COULD NOT GET THE SEAT BELT TO RELEASE AFTER SEVERAL TRIES I CUT THE SEAT BELT TO GET HIM OUT. NOVEMBER 2, 2006 I WAS PICKING UP MY HUSBAND FROM THE DOCTORS OFFICE AND MY SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND AGAIN I HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT, SO I COULD GET OUT. ON A RECENT TRIP OF 2400 MILES THE OIL GAUGE WAS PASSED THE MIDDLE OF THE GAUGE WHICH NEAR THE (H) WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I HAD TO STOP AND LET THE MOTOR COMPLETELY COOL DOWN BEFORE THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK AGAIN IN THE DASH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM MICHIGAN THE ACCELORATOR PEDEL FELL OFF IN THE MOUNTAINS IN GEORGIA AND I HAD TO PUT THE PLASTIC HOLDERS ON VERY CAREFULLY SO I COULD GET TO THE NEXT TOWN AND THERE A AUTO PARTS STORE EMPLOYEE PUT A (C) CLAMP ON THE HOLDER TO SECURE THE PEDAL ENOUGH FOR ME TO MAKE IT HOME. I STILL HAD 400 MILES TO GO AND WAS VERY APPREHENSIVE ALL THE WAY HOME AND NOW WITH THE SEAT BELT FAILURES I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE TRUCK . WE ARE RETIRED AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WE WOULD PUT THIS IN THE JUNK YARD. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD TRUCK UP UNTIL NOW AND WE HAVE NEVER ABUSED IT IN ANY WAY AND NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

10172541

Incident

Oct 27, 2006

Mileage

127,554 mi

1996 DODGE DAKOTA SLT, 5.2L, 4DR ( 99,000 MI) FAILED CA EMISSION TEST ON 7/8/06. SUSPECTED REASON FOR THE HIGH EMISSION WAS FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DAIMLER CHRYSLER CORP. (DCC) WILL NOT REPLACE THIS CONVERTER AT THEIR EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE A RECALL ON SOME 1.5 MILLION 1996 - 2001 VEHICLES FOR FAILED CONVERTERS. NO LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THEM AND WHEN CONTACTED, THEY SAY THE VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST FOR RECALL. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE ON THE LIST. *NM

NHTSA ID

10162903

Incident

Jul 8, 2006

Mileage

99,501 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT FRACTURED CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACKWARDS. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED, NO INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA ID

10158709

Incident

May 31, 2006

Mileage

89,397 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE FUSE IN THE RELAY SWITCH WAS MISSING FROM ANTI LOCK BRAKES. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE FUSE WAS MISSING.*AK

NHTSA ID

10144807

Incident

Dec 8, 2005

THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERABLE. THE BUCKLES ON THE BELTS DO NOT SNAP.*AK

NHTSA ID

10117283

Incident

Mar 14, 2005

Mileage

78,000 mi

THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE ON 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *BF *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10111585

Incident

Dec 29, 2004

WITHIN ONE MONTH OF EACH OTHER, EACH OF MY TWO FRONT FIRESTONE TIRES WENT FLAT. THE TREADS WERE SHREADED AND COMING LOOSE FROM THE TIRE. ONE OF THESE EVENTS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AND TIRES HAD BEEN RECENTLY CHECKED FOR TREAD DEPTH, BALANCE AND INFLATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10088322

Incident

Aug 20, 2004

Mileage

89,000 mi

DEAR DAVID, THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECENT EMAIL TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS REGARDING YOUR 996 DODGE DAKOTA. I'M SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE RECURRING PROBLEM YOU'VE EXPERIENCED WITH YOUR PARKING BRAKE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ORIGINAL MOPAR PARTS ARE DESIGNED WITH THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN MIND. WE HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN THE QUALITY OF OUR PARTS. THOUGH MOPAR PRODUCTS ARE BUILT TO LAST, WE DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, AS WITH ALL MAN-MADE MATERIALS, THEY ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WEAR, AND MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT EARLIER THAN WHAT MAY BE PERCEIVED AS NORMAL. OUR SINCEREST APOLOGIES FOR THE PROBLEMS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED. REFERENCE NUMBER: 12386546 REPLY LINK: HTTP://WWW.CHRYSLER.COM/WCCSAPP/WCCS/BRAND_FORMS/US/REPLY.JSP?TRK_ID=KMM1465401C0KM& SINCERELY, BRYAN DILLEY SENIOR STAFF REPRESENTATIVE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS: ------------------------ CATEGORY: RECALL INFORMATION BRIEF DESCRIPTION: ------------------ I BOUGHT A 1996 DAKOTA 4WD IN 1998 FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS BROKEN. THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED IT. MY 100-POUND WIFE JUST BROKE IT AGAIN. SO, WHAT IS UP WITH THIS? COMMENTS: --------- THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT REPLACED THE DEALER TOSSED OUT THE BROKEN BRAKE ACTUATOR RATHER THAN RETURNING IT TO ME. AN INSPECTOR FROM CHRYSLER MOTORS STOPPED BY MY HOUSE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. IN THAT INCIDENT I WAS ALMOST RUN OVER BY THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKE FAILED. HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO WITHOUT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR TO INSPECT. A PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD EVER FAIL IN THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. WHY IS THIS ONE BREAKING SO OFTEN? FIRST NAME: DAVID LAST NAME: WAGNER. *AK

NHTSA ID

10078425

Incident

Jun 15, 2004

Mileage

112,000 mi

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED BY ITSELF WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A 1995 DAKOTA THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE 1995 DAKOTA WAS TOTALED AFTER WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE CONSUMER'S BARN. *NM

NHTSA ID

10068611

MORE HISTORY ON MY 1996 DODGE TRUCK WITH ENGINE STALLING PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE TRUCK IS NOW RUNNING ROUGH. THE LAST DODGE DEALERSHIP IN MIAMI, OKLAHOMA COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW TELL ME THAT THEY WOULD PREFER I NOT BRING MY TRUCK BACK TO THEM. DODGE CORP'S CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS RUDE, TELLING ME THAT HE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CAN'T FIND/FIX THE PROBLEM); THE REP TELLS ME THAT IT'S OUR TOUGH LUCK NOW--VERY RUDE. WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE SUPERVISOR OR DISTRICT MANAGER FOR MY AREA, THE REP TOLD ME SHE HAD THE FINAL SAY, I DIDN'T HAVE A WARRANTY, AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO HELP ME LOCATE THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR MY AREA. YOU HAVE MY EXTENSIVE HISTORY/COMPLAINTS ON FILE WITH THIS TRUCK (PEELING PAINT, FLAT BEARING IN OVERDRIVE, 4 BENT WHEELS, RECURRING ENGINE STALLS TO NAME ONLY A FEW OF THE MAJOR ISSUES). WHAT IS A CONSUMER TO DO NOW. DON'T TELL ME TO FIND AN ATTORNEY--TOO EXPENSIVE AND I WON'T END UP WITH ENOUGH MONEY TO FIX THE TRUCK THE WAY IT SHOULD BE FIXED. CAN'T SELL TO ANYONE FOR WHAT IT SHOULD BE WORTH DUE TO THESE ISSUES, AND WON'T SELL THIS WAY DUE TO MY CONSCIOUS. THIS TRUCK IS GOING TO KILL US ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.*AK

NHTSA ID

10072797

Incident

May 3, 2004

Mileage

34,000 mi

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID

10067196

Incident

Apr 9, 2004

Mileage

42,870 mi

VEHICLE STALLED AND DID NOT RE-START. VEHICLE STALLED AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10067332

HEADLIGHT SWITCH AN WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT. TOOK TO DEALER AN HAD REPAIRED, MECHANIC SAID ALL 1995 AN 1996 DAKATAS AN RAMS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING, DO TO TO TOWING IT PUT TO MUCH OF AN OVER LOAD ON THE WIRING WHICH SHORTED IT OUT THE WIRES AN SWITCH NO WOULDN'T THIS BE A SAFETY HAZARD AN DODGE SHOULD REMEDY THIS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10064367

Incident

Apr 1, 2004

THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. MECHANIC RFEPLACED SHOCK ABSORBERS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10061511

1996 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURES. BOTH BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED DURING INSPECTIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10060366

Incident

Mar 14, 1998

Mileage

45,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER BOLT BROKE, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK TO FALL BACKWARDS. DRIVER LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID

10055359

Incident

Jan 14, 2004

Mileage

104,000 mi