1996 Dodge Dakota Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 189 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 128,777miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1996 Dodge Dakota, 5% of the 189 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 128,777 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“October 27, 2006 I took 2 friends to town and when the person in the middle seat could not get the seat belt to release after several tries I cut the seat belt to get him out. November 2, 2006 I was picking up my husband from the doctors office and my seat belt would not release and again I had to cut the seat belt, so I could get out. On a recent trip of 2400 miles the oil gauge was passed the middle of the gauge which near the (h) when this started happening the dash lights went out and I had to stop and let the motor completely cool down before the lights would work again in the dash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10172541, filed 2006-11, 127,554 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was a rapid increase in engine rpms. The contact shut the vehicle off but the failure continued when he restarted the engine. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10450664, filed 2012-03, 130,000 miles“When vehicle is in park it will jump out of park and into reverse. Also, when vehicle is parked on a down hill incline vehicle will roll forward, cause unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #893451, filed 2001-08“Cruise control will not disengage when applying the brakes or switching it off. After applying brakes to slow down for a curve, the cruise control would engage itself as soon as the brakes were released.”
NHTSA complaint #540115, filed 1998-08“This truck was bought new. Steering sector was loose, and tightened. Transmission burned out. Now front brakes are shot. Cruise control does not engage or disengage (intermittently) when steering wheel is in full down tilt position. Smell of burning rubber since new when used for extended periods at highway speeds. Now it has severe grooving on inside of both front brake rotors. Brake inspection at 31,044 miles, all okay. At 44,388 problem was discovered. Back drum brakes are 25% used. Documented with service records.”
NHTSA complaint #540684, filed 1998-09Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 8 | 1% |
| 2001 | 19 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 9 | 2% |
| 1997 | 12 | 3% |
| 1996 | 10 | 5% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 6 | 4% |
| 1993 | 4 | 3% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 7 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Dakota
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsEngine cooling
27 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology