Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 24 of 208 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
38 crash reports6 fire reports22 injury reports
What owners actually said
208 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2022
Seat Belts
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11493482
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2018
Tires
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 CONT…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11100577
85,000 miles · Apr 18, 2018
WheelsCrash
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11088813
128,500 miles · Dec 31, 2016
Seat Belts
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.
NHTSA ODI #10938909
130,000 miles · Nov 16, 2016
Seat Belts
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NON FUNCTIONAL FAILS TO RETRACT
NHTSA ODI #10926537
163,000 miles · Apr 15, 2016
Seat Belts
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.
NHTSA ODI #10859826
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2014
Visibility/wiper
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
NHTSA ODI #10668462
152,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Structure
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 TH…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10637013
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2011
Seat Belts
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 …
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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
NHTSA ODI #10440392
225,000 miles · Feb 19, 2011
Steering
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
NHTSA ODI #10383339
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
DP02009 · Frame Cracks
Opened Sep 30, 2002 · Closed Jan 8, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
MR. EDWARD W. BAILEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION BY LETTER, UNDATED, REQUESTING THAT AN INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED INTO THE MATTER OF A FRAME CRACK IN HIS 1995 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CRACKED, THROUGH NO FAULT OR RESPONSIBILITY OF HIS OWN, AND BELIEVES THAT THIS DEFICIENCY CONSTITUTES A SAFETY DEFECT, WHICH HE ALLEGES MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A CRASH.FOR THE 1993 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR DAKOTA TRUCKS, THEONLY COMPLAINTS OF FRAME CRACKING WERE ON THE 1995 AND 1996 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. A REVIEW OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF FRAME CRACKING ON THE DAKOTA, AND PEER VEHICLES, DID NOT REVEAL ANY LOSS OF CONTROL, CRASHES, INJURIES OR FATALITIES.FRAME CRACKING ON THE DAKOTA TRUCKS OCCURED AT AN AVERAGE MILEAGE OF93,000. FOR THE REASONS STATED IN THEFEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE (VOL. 68, NO. 3, MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2003) THE PETITION IS DENIED.
1995 Dodge Dakota Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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