1996 Dodge Dakota

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/1999· PARKING BRAKE

  PARKING BRAKE FELL APART. MJS

• 12/27/2004· POWER TRAIN

  SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, 4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE MINI VAN IT HAD TO BE SERVICED, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE 24 MONTHS/24000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE FOR $1495. 2ND VISIT ON 9/24/01 TRANS SLIPPING IN 3RD GEAR. PER MECHANIC THE SNAP RING SNAPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON 8/26/02. IT NEEDED A REBUILT & RECONDITIONED 6710 TRANSMISSION & REBUILT/RECONDITIONED TORQUE CONVERTER ALSO A FILTER TOTALING $1588.99. ON 2/26/03 RETURNED BACK TO THE SHOP FOR A BLEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL & PASSENGER SIDE AXLE TOTALING $609.50. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME WARRANTY THAT I HAVE ON THE VAN BECAUSE THE VAN GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW AND I CAUSED IT TO BLOW, WHICH IS RIDICULES. NOW THE SHOP THAT I GOT THE WORK DONE AT IS OUT OF BUSINESS AND NOW AT A NEW LOCATION UNDER A NEW NAME WITH THE SAME PERSON THERE. I WAS TOLD THAT MY LIFETIME WARRANTY WOULDN'T BE COVERED AT THE NEW LOCATION AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS NEEDED ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE COMPANY THAT DID THE WORK WHERE I RECEIVED THE LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION IS MOJE, INC. GOODEAL MOTORS & TRANSMISSIONS LOCATED AT 1730 MACDADE BLVD., FOLSOM, PA 19033; (610) 583-1101. THE NEW NAME IS MOTORS & TRANSMISSIONS. LOCATION IS AT 2500 WASHINGTON AVE., PHILA. PA 16146; (610) 583-1101. *AK

• 12/25/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1996 DODGE DAKOTA PU. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALITIC CONVERTER AS THOUGH IT'S CLOGGING UP AND OR FALLING APART INTERNALLY. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND ALSO WHAT ARE ALL OF THE RECALLS ISSUED ON THE 1996 DODGE DAKOTA, SO THAT I CAN GET ALL OF THEM FIXED, EVEN IF IT IS AT MY EXPENSE.

• 12/23/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN DRIVING SOMETIMES VEHICLE SURGES AND LOSES POWER AT ALL SPEEDS AT VARIOUS TIMES. *AK *AK

• 12/20/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENTCrash

  MY SON DIED IN DEC 12,2002 IN A 1996 DODGE STEALTH TWO DAYS AFTER HE DIED I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. CAR LOST CONTROL ON FREEWAY AND WENT OFF ROAD AND ROLLED. HE JUST PUT A TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED CLUTCH, AND PUT IN NEW ENGINE THROUGH TRACY DODGE IN TRACY, CA. *TR

• 12/17/1996· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH LOCK MODULE ACTUATOR, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH MODULE IS RUSTED, CAUSING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR TO OPEN WHEN DRIVING, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK

• 12/16/1999· SEATS

  LOWER BOLT THAT HOLD SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO TIP BACKWARDSWHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK

• 12/16/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGSCrash

  THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG SENSOR AND T ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH OTHE R VEHICLES IN AN INTERSECTION. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 12/14/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CRUISE CONTROL STICKS WHEN TRYING TO DISENGAGE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

• 12/13/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  SEMI WET ROAD SURFACE; W/REAR ABS BRAKES RESULTED IN VEHICLE NOT STOPPING AND DRIVER SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/13/1995· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  GAS COMES BACK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK, WHEN A PUMPING PROCESS IS ATTEMPTED. TT

• 12/10/1996· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. *SLC

• 12/09/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS

  ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK LATER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE BATTERY WAS BAD, THE TRANSMISSION WAS BLOWN OUT DUE TO FLAT BEARING ALSO, THE CHECK LIGHT ENGINE KEPT FLASHING. THE CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIND AN ADEQUATE DEALERSHIP TO FIX PROBLEMS. *CB THE VEHICLE WOBBLED BACK AND FORTH, THE CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED THE WHEELS WERE FLAWED. THE GAS TANK LEVEL WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. *JB

• 12/08/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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

• 12/06/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN DRIVEWAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, NEAR AN ELECTRICAL JUNCTION OR FUSE RECEPTICLE. *AK

• 12/03/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  ENGINE HAD FIRE COMING FROM IT AND SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE REST OF CAR. *AK

• 12/03/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, RIGHT FRONT JUST BEHIND THE BATTERY AND NEAR AN ELECTRICAL JUNCTION OR FUSE RECEPTOCLE. *AK

• 12/01/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE FAN CLUTCH THAT IS LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR BROKE IN HALF WHICH ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/01/1998· PARKING BRAKECrash

  VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY SUDDENLY WHILE IN PARK POSITION WITH EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ON AND ENGINE TURNED OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DELAER CANNOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE DEFECT. *AK

• 11/30/2000· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  CONSUMER'S INSIDE DOOR LATCHES WILL NOT LOCK IF NOT PUSHED DOWN. PASSSENGER SIDE IS FAR MORE RUSTED. DEALER WILL LOOK AT DOORS & FIX THEM FOR $200. VEHICLE 4 YEARS OLD SHOULDN'T BE RUSTED. *AK

• 11/28/2010· STRUCTURE

  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

• 11/28/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING THE ABS PANEL LIGHT STAYED ON, DEALER REPLACED 2 SENSORS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER REPLACED SPEED SENSOR, JUMPER WIRE, WIRING HARNESS, FUSE, AND DEALER CUT OFF PLUGS AND SOLDERED WIRES TOGETHER, ABS LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATES. *SLC

• 11/21/1996· SEAT BELTS

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM BELT BUCKLE AFTER PRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON. *AK

• 11/20/1998· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION ENGAGED IN PARK ON HILL, HOWEVER ROLLED BACKWARDS.

• 11/20/1996· SUSPENSION

  ONE SIDE OF VEHICLE WAS 13 INCHES LONGER THAN OTHER SIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF BALANCE. *AK

• 11/18/1998· POWER TRAINCrash

  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. *AK

• 11/13/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TIMING CHAIN HAS STRETCHED 3 TIMES. I FIRST CHANGED THE TIMING CHAIN ON 24 MARCH 2000, ON THE ADVICE OF 2 DIFFERENT DODGE DEALERS. CHAIN STRETCHED AGAIN AND WAS CHANGED ON 20 SEPT. 2000. AND HAS STRETCHED AND NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN. DODGE DID NOT TELL THE OWNERS ABOUT TSB 09-07-97 STATING THAT A TENSIONER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED THE DATE OF THE TSB IS 27 JUNE 1997. IF THE TIMING CHAIN BRAKES WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL STALL AND COULD CAUSE INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. WHEN I CONTACTED CHRYSLER THEY TOLD MR IF I NEEDED THE WORK DONE AAAI HAD TO PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS IS WRONG BECAUSE THEY KNOWINGLY BUILD DEFECTIVE ENGINES AND FAILED TO NOTIFY THE OWNERS AND THEY KNEW THAT THER WERE PARTS MISSING THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/12/1996· POWER TRAIN,SEAT BELTS

  DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT LATCH ON ACCELERATION OR TURNING; ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

• 11/06/2001· STRUCTURE,WHEELS

  DOOR HINGES SEIZED AND CAUSED THE HINGES TO BE REPLACED ON THE FIRST FAILURE. THE SECOND FAILURE RESULTED IN HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DRIVERS DOOR AND HINGES. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE TIRES, ALL 6 WHEEL STUDS BROKE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I COMPLETED THE WHEEL STUD REPLACEMENT MY SELF.*AK

• 11/06/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKING SYSTEM THE VEHICLE MOVES TO LEFT, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER CLAIMES IT A ROTOR PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 11/06/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  PURCHASE THE TRUCK NEW THERE IS NO ABS SENSOR LIGHT INSTALL . TT

• 11/04/2015· SEAT BELTS

  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.

• 11/03/2006· SEAT BELTS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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.

• 10/30/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  SERPENTINE BELT SQUEALS CONSTANTLY, AFTER REPLACING BELT AND CHECKING OTHER COMPONENTS INCLUDING STEERING USED W/BELT, UNKNOWN NOISE HAS RETURNED, PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

• 10/29/1997· AIR BAGSCrash

  DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 45 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

• 10/29/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,INTERIOR LIGHTING

  ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE DASH, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH.

• 10/27/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.

• 10/27/1997· SUSPENSION

  VEHICLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT RESULTING IN PULLING.

• 10/27/1997· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  INTERNAL CONNECTOR FOR PASSENGERS DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING STICKING.

• 10/23/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,WHEELS

  FRONT HUB BOLTED TO WHEEL- 7 BOLTS ATTACHING BRAKES, STRIPPED OUT. 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED HAD BRAKES & BOLTS REPLACED. BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP CALIPERS ON DISC BRAKES. *AK

• 10/21/2000· POWER TRAIN

  NO SUMMARY

• 10/19/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  A TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE; BELIEVED THIS CONDITION WAS DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES OF WEAR AND SHOULD BE FIXED AT MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE, NOT CONSUMER'S. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER . *AK

• 10/17/2003· SEATS

  THE RIDER'S SIDE SEAT BACK IS LOCKED IN PLACE AND WILL NOT FOLD FORWARD. THIS HAMPERS GETTING PEOPLE OR MATERIALS OUT OF THE BACK SEAT OF THIS EXTENDED CAB PICKUP. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD AS A PERSON IN THE BACK COULD NOT EASILY ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE 57 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE REQUESTED REPLACEMENT PARTS WHICH ARE NOT BEING PROVIDED. *LA

• 10/15/1999· SEATS

  DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE BACKWARDS WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR . DEALER REPLACED COMPLETE BRACKET. *AK

• 10/07/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE AT A STOP A VEHICLE COMING FROM THE REAR AND TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO FORWARD AND SLAM INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT CONSUMER IN CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 10/05/1998· POWER TRAIN

  SUDDEN FAILURE OF U-JOINT CAUSED LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL. BENT DRIVE SHAFT RESULTED FROM FAILURE.

• 09/30/1996· STEERING

  A BOLT IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MISSING, CAUSING A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK

• 09/28/1999· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS

  WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TILTED UP OR DOWN THE VARIOUS LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, SUCH AS, BRAKE LIGHT/POWER STEERING LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT LIGHT UP. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS/TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT QUIT WORKNG. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

• 09/26/2001· SEAT BELTS

  FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES, THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY ON ALL THREE BUCKLES IN THE FRONT SEAT HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN. *AK

• 09/26/2000· TIRES

  THIS TIRE WAS THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE FIRST FIRESTONE TIRE THAT BLEW OUT. TIRE SHOWS SIGNS OF TREAD TO SIDEWALL SEPARATION & DRIVER STATED THAT SIDEWALL OF TIRE "BUBBLED OUT" ALONG THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL OF TIRE APPROXIMATELY 4-5 INCHES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDW81XL TIRE SIZE: 265/75R16 )