The Dodge Dakota, a mid-size pickup truck produced from 2005 to 2011, underwent various crash tests to evaluate its safety performance. Understanding these ratings is crucial for anyone considering purchasing or owning a Dodge Dakota from this model year range. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Dodge Dakota’s safety in frontal, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, based on official safety evaluations.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: A “Good” Rating for Dodge Dakota
In the moderate overlap front crash test, the Dodge Dakota achieved an overall “Good” rating. This indicates a strong performance in protecting the driver in a frontal collision scenario.
The evaluation criteria and ratings for the moderate overlap front test are detailed below:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G (Good) |
| Structure and safety cage | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G (Good) |
| Chest | G (Good) |
| Leg/foot, left | G (Good) |
| Leg/foot, right | G (Good) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G (Good) |
Action shot from the frontal offset crash test of a Dodge Dakota, highlighting vehicle deformation and safety system engagement.
The structural performance of the Dodge Dakota in this test was rated as “Good,” signifying that the vehicle’s structure effectively maintained its integrity during the impact. Key driver injury measures, including head/neck, chest, and leg/foot protection, also received “Good” ratings. This demonstrates effective occupant protection provided by the vehicle’s design and safety features in a frontal collision.
Post-crash dummy position within the Dodge Dakota, showing good maintenance of survival space and minimal intrusion.
Measurements from the test further confirm the minimal intrusion into the driver’s space. Footwell intrusion measurements were low, ranging from 6 to 8 cm, and instrument panel and steering column movement were also minimal.
Greasepaint mark on the B-pillar of the Dodge Dakota, indicating head contact during rebound but negligible head acceleration.
Minimal intrusion into the driver’s side of the Dodge Dakota after the frontal crash test, indicating effective structural integrity.
Technical measurements from the frontal crash test are provided below for detailed analysis:
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF0805 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 7 |
| Left (cm) | 7 |
| Center (cm) | 8 |
| Right (cm) | 6 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 5 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 4 |
| Rearward (cm) | 0 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF0805 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 184 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | negligible |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 13 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.26 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 36 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 6.3 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 2.6 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 8 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.65 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.43 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 3.6 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 3.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 67 |
| Right | 66 |
Side Impact Crash Test: A “Marginal” Rating with Torso Protection Concerns
The side impact test of the Dodge Dakota resulted in an overall “Marginal” rating. This rating applies to models from 2005-2010. Notably, the tested vehicle was a 2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab SLT 4×2 without optional side airbags. While side airbags became standard in 2011 models, they were optional in earlier models and the Mitsubishi Raider, a related vehicle.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | M (Marginal) |
| Structure and safety cage | A (Acceptable) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G (Good) |
| Torso | P (Poor) |
| Pelvis/leg | G (Good) |
| Driver head protection | M (Marginal) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G (Good) |
| Torso | G (Good) |
| Pelvis/leg | G (Good) |
| Rear passenger head protection | M (Marginal) |
View of the Dodge Dakota and the side impact barrier immediately after the crash test, showing the point of impact.
The structure and safety cage of the Dodge Dakota received an “Acceptable” rating in the side impact test. However, driver torso protection was rated as “Poor,” indicating a significant area of concern. Driver and rear passenger head protection were both rated as “Marginal.”
Damage to the occupant compartment of the Dodge Dakota after the side impact crash test, highlighting structural deformation.
Driver dummy head leaning outwards towards the window sill during the Dodge Dakota side impact test, indicating potential head injury risk.
Greasepaint on the rear window frame and pillar of the Dodge Dakota, showing head contact for the rear passenger dummy during side impact.
The head protection rating is “Marginal” because, in both the 2008 test (without side airbags) and a later 2010 test (with optional side airbags that failed to deploy), the dummy’s head either contacted the window sill or was unprotected from external contacts. This highlights a potential vulnerability in side impact scenarios. Rear passenger head protection was also “Marginal” due to head contact with the rear window frame and pillar.
Technical Measurements – Side Impact Test
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | CES0821 | CES0930 |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -6.0 | -4.0 |
Driver Injury Measures – Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0821 |
| Head HIC-15 | 179 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.7 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 65 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 2.8 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 60 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 49 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 6.22 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 1.32 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.2 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 4.1 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 25 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 18 |
Passenger Injury Measures – Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0821 |
| Head HIC-15 | 96 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 46 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.45 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.47 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 55 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | -42 |
Roof Strength Test: Another “Marginal” Rating
The roof strength test for the Dodge Dakota also resulted in a “Marginal” overall evaluation. This rating applies to 2005-2011 models.
| Overall evaluation | M (Marginal) |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,321 lbs |
| Peak force | 13,938 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 3.23 |
The strength-to-weight ratio of 3.23 indicates the Dakota’s roof can withstand 3.23 times its own weight before significant crush. While this is a functional level of protection, it falls into the “Marginal” category compared to vehicles with higher strength-to-weight ratios.
Head Restraints & Seats: Varied Performance
The head restraints and seats evaluation for the Dodge Dakota shows varied performance depending on the seat type.
Seats without adjustable lumbar: Achieved an overall “Acceptable” rating.
| Overall evaluation | A (Acceptable) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | A (Acceptable) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G (Good) |
Seats with adjustable lumbar: Received an overall “Poor” rating.
| Overall evaluation | P (Poor) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | P (Poor) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G (Good) |
For seats without adjustable lumbar, both dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated favorably, leading to an “Acceptable” overall score. However, seats with adjustable lumbar performed poorly in the dynamic test, resulting in a “Poor” overall rating, despite having “Good” geometry.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
Seats without adjustable lumbar
| Seat type | Seats without adjustable lumbar |
|---|---|
| Geometry Backset (mm) | 40 |
| Geometry Distance below top of head (mm) | 50 |
| Seat design parameters Pass/fail | Pass |
| Seat design parameters Max T1 acceleration (g) | 9.2 |
| Seat design parameters Head contact time (ms) | 84 |
| Seat design parameters Force rating | 2 |
| Neck forces Max neck shear force (N) | 194 |
| Neck forces Max neck tension (N) | 730 |
Seats with adjustable lumbar
| Seat type | Seats with adjustable lumbar |
|---|---|
| Geometry Backset (mm) | 32 |
| Geometry Distance below top of head (mm) | 55 |
| Seat design parameters Pass/fail | Fail |
| Seat design parameters Max T1 acceleration (g) | 9.9 |
| Seat design parameters Head contact time (ms) | 105 |
| Seat design parameters Force rating | 3 |
| Neck forces Max neck shear force (N) | 225 |
| Neck forces Max neck tension (N) | 848 |
Conclusion: Dodge Dakota Safety Overview
The Dodge Dakota (2005-2011 models) presents a mixed safety profile. It performs well in frontal crash tests, earning a “Good” rating. However, side impact and roof strength tests resulted in “Marginal” ratings, indicating areas where safety performance could be improved. Head restraint performance varies depending on the seat type, with seats without adjustable lumbar performing better than those with adjustable lumbar.
For potential buyers or current owners, it’s important to consider these safety ratings alongside other factors when evaluating the Dodge Dakota. Prioritizing models with side airbags (standard from 2011 onwards) and being aware of the “Marginal” ratings in side impact and roof strength are key considerations for safety-conscious individuals.
