Total Complaints
294 filings
DODGE DAKOTA · model year
294 NHTSA complaints, 42 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1995DODGEDAKOTA carries 294 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 42 crashes, 6 fires, 25 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 DAKOTA is air bags:frontal with 22 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (16) and structure:frame and members (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1995 DAKOTA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
294 filings
Crashes Reported
42 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 22 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 16 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 12 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 11 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 9 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 7 |
| STEERING | 7 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 7 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS | 6 |
I bought this 1995 Dodge Dakota brand new in 1995 and it only has original 92,110 miles on it. The problem with this Dakota I have replaced the Drivers front seat belt and the replacement again is falling apart again where it will not release for a person to get out of. I don't know if the air bags will not deploy if the seat belt is not working properly. Again the seat belt needs to be replaced again as it physically is falling apart again.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE DAKOTA EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRES, SIZE: 215/75R/15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED MODERATE TIRE SEPARATION ON THE SIDEWALLS OF THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,263. THE VIN AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MILES AN HOUR UP TO 45 AND THE TIRE CAME OFF. IT CAUSED A 3 CAR ACCIDENT. LUCKILY INO ONE WAS HURT BUT I GOT A CARELESS DRIVING TICKET. I FEEL THE TIRE SNAPPED OFF THE DRIVE TRAIN. IT HAPPENED IN 2006. IT WAS LIGHTLY RAINING BUT THIS SHOULD NOT AFFECT A TIRE COMING OFF COMPLETELY.. I CAN SEND IN POLICE REPORT LATER I PUT IN A REQUEST FOR A COPY BUT I HAVE NOT RECIEVED IT YET.
Mileage: 85,000
MY DAUGHTER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCH. SHE COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. SHE HAD TO LEAVE AND DRIVE BACK HOME, WHERE HER DAD WAS ABLE TO GET HER OUT WITH A SCREW DRIVE. OUR MECHANIC SAID DODGE NO LONGER CARRIES THESE SEAT BELTS.
Mileage: 128,500
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NON FUNCTIONAL FAILS TO RETRACT
Mileage: 130,000
MY DAUGHTER, WHO WAS THE DRIVER, WAS UNABLE TO UNLATCH HER SEAT BELT. HER BOYFRIEND HAD TO FORCE IT APART IN ORDER FOR HER TO BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR. NOW IT IS BROKEN...SHE WAS AT A STANDSTILL AT HER BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE.
Mileage: 163,000
NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED...JUST A GRADUAL DOWNFALL OF THE GASKET ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT IS NOW COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE UPPER CORNER..CAN SEE THE CURVE OF THE GASKET OUT OF THE WINDOW...ITS AS IF IT SHRUNK FROM ONE WEEK TO THE NEXT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS THE STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION DUE TO THE FRAME BEING CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Mileage: 152,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RELEASE AFTER THE RELEASE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THE RELEASE BUTTON ALSO DETACHED FROM ITS HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ UPDATED 03/05/12
THERE SEEMED TO BE AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF "PLAY" IN THE STEERING. IT HAS NOW GOTTEN TO THE POINT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS TRUCK LONG DISTANCES. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END, AND THE STEERING RACK MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 -1". *TR
Mileage: 225,000
IS THIS CAMPAIGN #06E049000 STILL IN AFFECT CONSUMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH AFTERMARKET LIGHTS ON 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. *NJ
PICKUP WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY ON A THURSDAY EVENING APPROS 1700 HRS, ON SAT APPROS 1730 HRS THE HORN SOUNDED AND THE WINDOWS APPEARED TO BE TINTED, INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE ABLAZE, FIREDEPT CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED, STEERING COLUMN TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE UNUSABLE. TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Mileage: 210,316
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICL THE DRIVER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF. *AK
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE FACT THAT DODGE WAS ALLOWED TO PUT DEFECTIVE SEATS IN THE 1995 DODGE DAKOTA (AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS) WITHOUT HAVING TO MAKE THE NECESSARY FIX TO THOSE VEHICLES. THE SEATS CLEARLY DO NOT PROTECT AGAINST NECK INJURY IN REAR END COLLISIONS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF ONE OF THESE VEHICLES. *JB
FAULTY SEAT BELT IN 1995 DODGE DAKOTA,HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF SEAT BELT.TOLD ITS GOING TO BE 300 TO 400 TO REPLACE.EVEN THOUGH TRUCK IS 10 YEARS OLD I FEEL IT WAS A DEFECT READY TO HAPPEN.NO WARNING JUST PUT ON AS USUAL AND TRIED TO UNLATCH AND WOULDNT.HAD TO DRIVE TO FIRE DEPT AND BE CUT OUT.
Mileage: 78,000
I AM TRYING TO FIND IF THERE IS ANY RECALL INFORMATION ON MY DODGE DAKOTA, THE REASON I ASK IS THE FRONT ON THIS TRUCK IS GONE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY? I TAKE CARE OF THIS TRUCK, BUT THE BEARINGS ARE GONE AND I NEED A TOTAL FRONT END OVERHAUL. IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME I'VE GOT ANOTHER TRUCK CHEVY 1986 3/4 4WD AND THE FRONT END ON THIS TRUCK IS JUST FINE? THEY ARE BOTH 4WD TRUCKS AND I TREAT THEM THE SAME, AND TAKE CARE OF BOTH OF THEM EQUALLY. *JB
Mileage: 135,000
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED AND WHEN IT HAD COME TIME TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCH. THE SEAT BELT EVENTUALLY HAD TO BE CUT OFF IN ORDER TO GET THE PASSENGER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *SC *JB
Mileage: 79,673
AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ON 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. *MR THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE, SINCE NO ONE WAS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY, THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THE FACTORY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME, THE STEERING COLUMN DISPLAYED A NOISE WHEN TURNING, THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK DID NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR THE REMOTE INTERMITTENTLY, AND THERE WAS CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END. ALSO, REFER TO ODI# 10092738 (SAME CONSUMER). *SC *JB
AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ON 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. *MR THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE, SINCE NO ONE WAS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY, THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THE FACTORY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME, THE STEERING COLUMN DISPLAYED A NOISE WHEN TURNING, THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK DID NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR THE REMOTE INTERMITTENTLY, AND THERE WAS CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END. ALSO, REFER TO ODI# 10092738 (SAME CONSUMER). *SC *JB
AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ON 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. *MR THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE, SINCE NO ONE WAS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY, THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THE FACTORY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME, THE STEERING COLUMN DISPLAYED A NOISE WHEN TURNING, THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK DID NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR THE REMOTE INTERMITTENTLY, AND THERE WAS CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END. ALSO, REFER TO ODI# 10092738 (SAME CONSUMER). *SC *JB
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.