VehicleVerdict

1995 Dodge Dakota problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1995 Dodge Dakota sits mid-pack among Dakota years: 294 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 239, with a single recall and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 25 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (33), brakes (32), and seat belts (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

294

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

42

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

25

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Dakota years?

Dakota NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted1,096 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 21 complaints1988: 65 complaints1989: 88 complaints1990: 88 complaints1991: 161 complaints1992: 314 complaints1993: 159 complaints1994: 240 complaints1995: 294 complaints1996: 250 complaints1997: 650 complaints1998: 793 complaints1999: 1,011 complaints2000: 1,096 complaints2001: 945 complaints2002: 946 complaints2003: 419 complaints2004: 287 complaints2005: 598 complaints2006: 384 complaints2007: 167 complaints2008: 131 complaints2009: 23 complaints2010: 48 complaints2011: 53 complaints
Dakota NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Dakota years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Dodge Dakota problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3311%
Brakes3211%
Seat Belts279%
Airbags269%
Body & Structure227%
Engine217%
Fuel System207%
Steering196%
Suspension186%
Electrical System176%
Visibility & Wipers124%
Latches & Locks93%
Seats93%
Tires & Wheels93%
Lighting62%
Speed Control62%
Other52%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Trailer Hitch10%

Does the 1995 Dodge Dakota have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VENICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE WARRANTOR (GE ) HAS DENIED THE CLAIM AND REFUSES TO HONOR IT. WE PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR AN EXPENSIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE AND THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 4, 2000

“WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW/STOP TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, EXPERIENCED ABS FAILURE, UPON APPYING, BRAKES, THEY GRABBED AND DID NOT RELEASE RIGHT AWAY, CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP, SKIDDED AND THEN VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 15, 2011

“AT A STOP LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVERS AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, FAILING TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. ALSO, DRIVER SEATBACK COLLAPSED DURING CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 21, 1999 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 17, 2014

1995 Dodge Dakota — common questions

Is the 1995 Dodge Dakota reliable?

It is close to typical for the Dakota: 294 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1995 Dakota problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (33 complaints), brakes (32 complaints), seat belts (27 complaints).

Does the 1995 Dodge Dakota have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1995 Dodge Dakota. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 Dodge Dakota under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Dakota years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Dakota years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1997, 2005, 2003, 2006, 1994, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2010, 2009. The cleanest record among Dakota years belongs to 1986.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.