1996 Dodge Dakota vs 1997 Dodge Dakota
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 | 1997 Dodge Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 189 | 446 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 58 | 107 |
| Investigations | 1 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 20 | 42 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 7 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 13–20 | 13–20 |
| Median reported mileage | 88,750 mi | 72,834 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Dakota | Dodge Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12 | 142 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 23 | 68 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 27 | 49 |
| Power Train | 28 | 46 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 37 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 | 34 |
| Steering | 7 | 34 |
| Electrical System | 19 | 17 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 12 | 15 |
| Rust / corrosion | 7 | 16 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 5 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 14 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 10 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 7 |
1996 Dodge Dakota
1997 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.