CarBrief

NHTSA has 208 owner complaints on file for the 1995 Dodge Dakota Pickup[1]. Brakes lead the list with 29 complaints[2].

208owner complaints[1]
13–22MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

Here are the biggest complaint groups in the NHTSA reports for this truck.

Recalls

NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 1995 Dakota Pickup[11].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[3] 20 / 25 / 22 $3,050
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[12] 15 / 19 / 16 $4,200
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[13] 15 / 21 / 17 $3,950
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[14] 13 / 17 / 14 $4,800
Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[15] 14 / 18 / 15 $4,450
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[16] 14 / 17 / 15 $4,450
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[17] 14 / 17 / 15 $4,450
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[18] 12 / 16 / 14 $4,800
Dakota Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[19] 11 / 16 / 13 $5,150

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 2 DR None[20].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB S/BOX[21] 208 in 70 in 66 in 131 in 3,479 lb
DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB S/BOX 4X4[22] 208 in 70 in 69 in 131 in 3,878 lb
DAKOTA P/U REG CAB L/BOX[23] 207 in 70 in 65 in 124 in 3,122 lb
DAKOTA P/U REG CAB L/BOX 4X4[24] 207 in 70 in 67 in 124 in 3,702 lb
DAKOTA P/U REG CAB S/BOX[25] 189 in 70 in 65 in 112 in 2,959 lb
DAKOTA P/U REG CAB S/BOX 4X4[26] 189 in 70 in 67 in 112 in 3,653 lb

How 1995 compares with other years

1995: 208 complaints, 0 recalls20819951996: 189 complaints, 1 recalls1997: 446 complaints, 5 recalls19971998: 545 complaints, 5 recalls1999: 641 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 806 complaints, 5 recalls2001: 678 complaints, 7 recalls20012002: 678 complaints, 5 recalls2003: 296 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 206 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 470 complaints, 6 recalls20052006: 285 complaints, 5 recalls2007: 145 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 91 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 18 complaints, 5 recalls20092010: 35 complaints, 7 recalls2011: 44 complaints, 6 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Dakota Pickup model year. The 1995 is highlighted[11].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952080
19961891
19974465
19985455
19996414
20008065
20016787
20026785
20032964
20042061
20054706
20062855
20071454
2008912
2009185
2010357
2011446

NHTSA's counts for the Dakota Pickup show 208 complaints and 0 recalls for 1995[11]. Among the 17 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 1995 and 9 have more[11]. The fewest complaints are for 2009 (18) and the most are for 2000 (806)[11]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 1995 Dakota Pickup?

These are unverified owner reports, and the counts are not adjusted for sales[1]. Brakes, power train, air bags and seat belts draw the most complaints[2][4][5][6]. The air bag group stands out because 24 of its complaints mention a crash[5]. Have the brakes, belts and transmission checked before you buy, and read the Recalls section on this page.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems of the 1995 Dodge Dakota?
Brakes, power train, air bags and seat belts have the most complaints[2][4][5][6].
Does the 1995 Dodge Dakota have recalls?
See the Recalls section on this page for the full list. The by-year count is in[11].
How reliable is the 1995 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 208 owner complaints on file[1]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 1995 Dodge Dakota?
See the fuel economy section on this page.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Dodge Dakota Pickup

Compare all model years of the Dodge Dakota Pickup

All Dodge models

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 208 owner complaints on file for the 1995 Dodge Dakota Pickup (38 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 23 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 29 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 27 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 26 complaints name the air bags component group (24 crashes, 3 fires, 16 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 25 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 125,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 20 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 19 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 18 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 17 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Dakota Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  12. EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB S/BOX: length 208 in, width 70 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 3,479 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB S/BOX 4X4: length 208 in, width 70 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 3,878 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U REG CAB L/BOX: length 207 in, width 70 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 124 in, curb weight 3,122 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U REG CAB L/BOX 4X4: length 207 in, width 70 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 124 in, curb weight 3,702 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U REG CAB S/BOX: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 2,959 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DAKOTA P/U REG CAB S/BOX 4X4: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,653 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.