Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 43,000 miles |
| 2002 | 3 | 0% | 89,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% | 85,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% | 52,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 1% | 117,000 miles |
| 1998 | 20 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 1997 | 10 | 2% | 63,000 miles |
| 1996 | 12 | 6% | 78,000 miles |
| 1995 | 25 | 12% | 125,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2008 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4 is the biggest piece of junk I have had 3 trans done and trans lines 3 times all front end tie rods struts sway bars wheel barrings rotors radio air bags seat belts and more replaced on this rolling wheeled piece of junk ive had people say nice truck and I say thanks but dont buy one they are a junk only 116K miles on it and will be lots more to spend on this junk dealer asked me if I ever drove it down a drit road and I said why he said the tie rods are wore out on it and I said how this is when I had 10K miles on it they said they that you should not go on any dirt roads come on now where are no dirt roads I laughed at them and said I had not went on one yet. Now how do anybody get this thing right on get rid of it what a lemon.
Possible short in electrical system effecting safety equipment. Seatbelt warning continues to alarm when seatbelts are worn and/or fastened without passengers in vehicle. Audible alarm stops after driving at higher speeds without frequent stops for traffic,street lights, stop signs (ie: freeway), however, visual warning light remains on dash. Horn effected - fuse blows and requires replacement each time horn is used. Seat belt system problems began in 2013 while driving on freeway at approx. 60mph. Horn problems began in 2014.
Passenger airbag was turned on but didn't deploy, did not have seatbelt on because it broke but all others in the accident had theirs on. Driver was driving normal and a truck coming opposite way hit a truck three truck length ahead spun out of control and hit our vehicle head on. Consumer has stated she has head trauma.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while turning left at approximately 65 MPH, another vehicle crashed into him at approximately 45 MPH. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not restrain the contact. The contact suffered injuries to his knees and chest as a result. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop here it was being repaired for the body damages. The failure was not diagnosed. The failure and current mileages were 49,000. Updated 09/30/11 the consumer stated after being struck by vehicle # 2. Vehicle #3 was lifted up and turned sideways and rolled into vehicle# 3. The collision forced the consumer down and forward in the seat causing both of his legs to come up and off the floor, striking the dashboard. The movement is what made the consumer believe the seat belt did not lock into place. …
Takata recall. On 2/4/2016 I took my truck to courtesy Chrysler/Dodge/Ram located at 9207 adamo drive east in tampa,fl. The airbag inflator was replaced. As soon as I drove off of the dealer's lot I noticed that the seatbelt warning light and alarm would not turn off. I immediately returned to the dealership. The parts and service manager said the dealership was not responsible, although I explained that the problem did not exist before my visit to the dealership. The dealership said that they would have to order a new seat belt buckle at a cost of $125.00 + labor. I refused to order and pay for a part to fix a repair that did not exist prior to my visit. I was making an 11 hour drive the next day to start a new job and I needed to have the problem resolved. The parts and service manager was very unprofessional. I left the dealership. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light was illuminated and when the seat belt was engaged the light remained illuminated. The contact stated the failure was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that seat belt receptacle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000. Ma 9/22 updated 12/05/2017
Airbag failure on 2003 Dodge Dakota sxt. Force was such that frame of truck is bent and will be replaced but neither airbag deployed. Driver side shoulder harness on seat belt also failed. A visit to consumer affairs.com quickly made me aware that daimler has this problem on many of its vehicles but sends the same "form" letter to each consumer reporting the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that around the base of the rear passenger seat belts, there was a sharp metal shard tearing away at the seat belt straps. The rear driver side seat belts was also torn. The contact took the vehicle the dealer and was told that they would need to consult with the manufacturer before proceeding with any repairs. The manufacturer advised that they would not assist with repairing the seat belts. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 42,900 and the current mileage was 43,263.
Related recalls (2)
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks. The front outboard lower seat belt anchor bolts May not be tightened correctly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver and passenger side lower seat belt anchor bolts and tighten to specification. Owner notification began July 19, 2001.
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Vehicle description: certain van, wagon, pickup trucks, passenger and sport utility vehicles, fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the front seat belt retractor May not comply with the requirements of the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractor. Owner notification began August 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
NHTSA investigations
Front safety belt anchorage disengagemen
Alleged that the driver's seat safety belt anchors disengage from mounting points
Front safety belt anchorage
Allege that the front safety belt anchor bolts disengage from their mounting points or are found to be loose.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Dakota years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (25), 1998 (20), 1996 (12), 1997 (10) and 2000 (9) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Dodge Dakota seat belt problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 01V-233 (anchorage, Jul 5, 2001); 01V-119 (retractor, Apr 11, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Dakota seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › buckle assembly (31 mentions), followed by the front › anchorage (18).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.