1996 Dodge Dakota vs 1996 Ford Ranger
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Dodge Dakota | 1996 Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 189 | 413 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 58 | 176 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 20 | 41 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 18 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 13–20 | 16–21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 88,750 mi | 116,501 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Dakota | Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 23 | 60 |
| Visibility | 7 | 52 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 27 | 31 |
| Electrical System | 19 | 38 |
| Power Train | 28 | 28 |
| Tires | 8 | 41 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 34 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 | 31 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 12 | 14 |
| Rust / corrosion | 7 | 13 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 5 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 8 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 5 |
1996 Dodge Dakota
1996 Ford Ranger
Compare all Dodge Dakota vs Ford Ranger years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.