Dodge Pickup Problems by Year

We compared every Dodge Pickup model year from 1995–1999 using 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 0 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1996, which drew far more complaints than other Pickup years at the same age. The best years are 1999 and 1998.

4model years
70complaints
0recalls
1996worst years
1999, 1998best years

Complaints by model year

19951996199819992326156
Owner complaints per model year, Dodge Pickup. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
19996−78%—BodyGood
199815−26%—BrakeAverage
1996261.6×—BrakeCaution
1995231.4×—BrakeAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Pickup year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Dodge Pickup problems

  • Brakesworst: 1995
    1521%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 1996
    1116%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 1995
    811%
  • Suspensionworst: 1995
    811%
  • Body & structureworst: 1999
    710%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 1995
    69%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 1995
    69%
  • Steeringworst: 1996
    69%
  • Electrical systemworst: 1995
    57%
  • Air bagsworst: 1998
    46%
  • Seat beltsworst: 1995
    34%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 1996
    34%
  • Seatsworst: 1996
    23%
  • Locks & latchesworst: 1995
    11%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 1996
    11%
  • A/C & heaterworst: 1998
    11%
  • Other / not specified
    11%

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Dodge Pickup should you avoid?

1996 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Pickup years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 1996.

What is the best year for the Dodge Pickup?

1999 has the fewest complaints compared with other Pickup years at the same age, followed by 1998. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Dodge Pickup problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (15), fuel & propulsion system (11) and engine & cooling (8). Brake complaints peak in the 1995 model year.

How many recalls has the Dodge Pickup had?

0 recalls across 1995–1999.

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.