2007 Dodge Dakota Safety Review [ 2008 ]
Dodge Dakota Safety Review
Safety - 8.9 (Very Good)
Though the Dakota comes equipped with many safety features, others, like anti-lock brakes (ABS) and side curtain air bags are not standard. Combined with the lack of available traction and stability control, the Boston Globe comments, "The news on safety features is good and bad." Still, the Dakota does well in government crash tests.
Government crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration award the 2007 Dodge Dakota a perfect score of 5 stars for driver-frontal and front/rear side crash tests. Moreover, it receives 4 of 5 stars for both passenger-frontal crash tests and vehicle rollover. The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety awards the 2007 Dodge Dakota a rating of "Acceptable," the second highest possible, for frontal offset crash tests.
Accident Avoidance
Every 2007 Dodge Dakota comes outfitted with front disc brakes; rear anti-lock drum brakes, and Brake-Park Interlock, which doesn't allow drivers to shift out of park until the brake pedal is depressed. While both the SLT and Laramie are equipped with fog lights, only the Laramie comes with standard automatic headlights.
Available accident avoidance options include a four-wheel ABS and fog lights. The Detroit News comments that they "noticed on wet pavement that the Dakota could use traction control -- even stability control -- to maintain its poise. Unfortunately, neither is available, and that's a no-no, especially with a Michigan winter just around the corner."
Crash Protection
Every 2007 Dodge Dakota comes outfitted with front multistage air bags, which quickly assess the severity of a crash and inflate with varying levels of needed force. However, only Club Cab trim levels feature a front passenger air bag on/off switch.
Available crash protection options include supplemental side air bags for all trims and side curtain air bags for Laramie trims, which Automobile Magazine says are "unusual in a pickup."
