1996 Dodge Dakota vs 1998 Dodge Dakota
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Dodge Dakota | 1998 Dodge Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 189 | 545 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 58 | 108 |
| Investigations | 1 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 20 | 43 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 13–20 | 13–20 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 88,750 mi | 70,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Dakota | Dodge Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12 | 217 |
| Power Train | 28 | 74 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 23 | 68 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 27 | 60 |
| Steering | 7 | 47 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 32 |
| Electrical System | 19 | 19 |
| Structure | 18 | 19 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 12 | 18 |
| Rust / corrosion | 7 | 15 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 5 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 19 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 17 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 10 |
1996 Dodge Dakota
1998 Dodge Dakota
Compare all Dodge Dakota vs Dodge Dakota 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.