Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1996 Dodge Dakota. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM SYSTEM
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (189)
189 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 189 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 28 | 14.8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 27 | 14.3% |
| Service brakes | 23 | 12.2% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 10.1% |
| Structure | 18 | 9.5% |
| Air bags | 12 | 6.3% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 6.3% |
| Suspension | 12 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system | 10 | 5.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 5.3% |
How 1996 compares with other Dakota years
Best and worst Dakota years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 216 | 1 |
| 1993 | 134 | 1 |
| 1994 | 166 | 3 |
| 1995 | 208 | 0 |
| 1996 | 189 | 1 |
| 1997 | 446 | 5 |
| 1998 | 545 | 5 |
| 1999 | 641 | 4 |
| 2000 | 806 | 5 |
| 2001 | 678 | 7 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Looking at a 1996 Dakota for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1996 Dodge Dakota FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Dakota have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 95V199000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Dodge Dakota problems?
Owners filed 189 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (28), Engine and engine cooling (27), Service brakes (23) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
How does the 1996 Dakota compare with other years?
Among the 1992–2001 Dodge Dakota model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (134) and the 2000 the most (806). The 1996 drew 189. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.