1996 Dodge Dakota 2WD I4 2.5L 5MT
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1994 Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab in Emerald Green Metallic, Front Left, 10-17-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab 4x2, front right, 01-01-2023 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Dodge Dakota V8 SLT extcab by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1988 Dodge Dakota SE 4×4 in Dark Suede and Medium Suede, rear left by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1996 Dodge Dakota 2WD I4 2.5L 5MT is a 120-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $13,665 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.
It makes 120 horsepower. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).
The Dakota measures 195.3 inches long on a 111.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,042 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Pickup |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $13,665 ($28,305 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.5L AMC I4 |
| Displacement | 2.5 L |
| Horsepower | 120 hp |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 19 MPG |
| Highway | 23 MPG |
| Combined | 20 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Tank Capacity | 15 gal |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 195.3 in |
| Width | 69.4 in |
| Height | 65 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.9 in |
| Ground Clearance | 6.5 in |
| Curb Weight | 3,042 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39.5 in |
| Legroom Front | 41.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 58 in |
| Hip Room Front | 56 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1996 Dodge Dakota 2WD I4 2.5L 5MT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge DAKOTA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May 24, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA campaign 06E049000
Oct 20, 1995 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND NOT CLAMPED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM NIPPLE.
Consequence: A DISCONNECTED VACUUM HOSE CAN CAUSE AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO INSURE THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE CONNECTION IS FULLY SEATED AND CLAMPED TO THE VACUUM CHECK VALVE NIPPLE AT THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
NHTSA campaign 95V199000
199 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge DAKOTA
Owner Complaints
199 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge DAKOTA (21 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 9 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 29 |
| Power Train | 29 |
| Hydraulic | 26 |
| Service Brakes | 26 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Structure | 18 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.