The 2009 Dodge Dakota, a mid-size pickup truck that was part of the Dakota’s third generation (2005-2011), has undergone various crash tests to evaluate its safety performance. This analysis delves into the results of these tests, providing a comprehensive overview for potential buyers and those interested in vehicle safety. It’s important to note that these ratings apply specifically to the 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota models.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Good Rating
The 2009 Dodge Dakota achieved a “Good” overall rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. This assessment evaluates how well the vehicle protects occupants in a frontal collision.
Structural Performance and Safety Cage
The Dakota demonstrated robust structural integrity, earning a “Good” rating for structure and safety cage. This indicates that the vehicle’s frame effectively maintained its shape during the impact, preserving crucial survival space for the driver.
Driver Injury Measures
All driver injury measures were rated as “Good,” signifying a low risk of significant injuries in a frontal crash of this type. Specifically:
- Head/Neck: Protection for the head and neck was rated as “Good.”
- Chest: Chest protection also received a “Good” rating.
- Leg/Foot (Left & Right): Both left and right leg/foot injury measures were rated “Good,” indicating minimal risk to the lower extremities.
Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
The performance of the driver restraints and the dummy’s movement during the crash were evaluated as “Good.” This suggests that the seatbelt and airbag systems worked effectively to control the driver’s motion and minimize impact forces.
Action shot of the 2009 Dodge Dakota during the frontal offset crash test.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2009 Dodge Dakota frontal test, indicating excellent maintenance of driver survival space.
Smeared greasepaint indicating negligible head acceleration from B-pillar contact during rebound in the 2009 Dodge Dakota frontal crash.
Minimal intrusion into the driver’s side occupant compartment and low leg and foot injury measures in the 2009 Dodge Dakota frontal crash test.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Footwell Intrusion: Footrest | 7 cm |
| Footwell Intrusion: Left | 7 cm |
| Footwell Intrusion: Center | 8 cm |
| Footwell Intrusion: Right | 6 cm |
| Footwell Intrusion: Brake Pedal | 5 cm |
| Instrument Panel Rearward: Left | 0 cm |
| Instrument Panel Rearward: Right | 1 cm |
| Steering Column Upward | 4 cm |
| Steering Column Rearward | 0 cm |
| A-Pillar Rearward | 0 cm |
| Driver Injury Measures | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 184 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | Negligible |
| Neck Tension | 1.1 kN |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment | 13 Nm |
| Maximum Nij | 0.26 |
| Chest Maximum Compression | 36 mm |
| Femur Force – Left | 6.3 kN |
| Femur Force – Right | 2.6 kN |
| Knee Displacement – Left | 8 mm |
| Knee Displacement – Right | 1 mm |
| Maximum Tibia Index – Left | 0.65 |
| Maximum Tibia Index – Right | 0.43 |
| Tibia Axial Force – Left | 3.6 kN |
| Tibia Axial Force – Right | 3.1 kN |
| Foot Acceleration – Left | 67 g |
| Foot Acceleration – Right | 66 g |
Side Impact Crash Test: Marginal Rating
In the side impact crash test, the 2009 Dodge Dakota received an overall rating of “Marginal.” This test assesses occupant protection in a side collision. The rating applies to 2005-2010 models, specifically those built before March 2010 concerning airbag issues.
Structural Performance and Safety Cage
The structure and safety cage of the Dakota were rated “Acceptable” in the side impact test. This indicates that while the structure provided some protection, there was room for improvement in maintaining occupant space during a side collision.
Driver Injury Measures
- Head/Neck: Head and neck protection for the driver was rated “Good.”
- Torso: Torso protection for the driver was rated “Poor,” indicating a higher risk of injury to this region in a side impact.
- Pelvis/Leg: Pelvis and leg protection for the driver was rated “Good.”
Driver and Rear Passenger Head Protection
Both driver and rear passenger head protection were rated “Marginal.” The tests revealed potential issues with head protection:
- Driver Head Protection: In tests of both 2008 and 2010 models, head protection was deemed inadequate. In the 2010 test (with optional side airbags that failed to deploy), the dummy’s head hit the window sill. In the 2008 test (without side airbags), the head was not directly hit, but remained vulnerable to ejection or external contact.
- Rear Passenger Head Protection: In both tests, the rear passenger dummy’s head struck the rear door window frame and pillar, indicating inadequate head protection in side impacts for rear occupants as well.
Post-impact view of the 2008 Dodge Dakota and the deformable barrier used in the side impact crash test.
Damage to the occupant compartment of the 2008 Dodge Dakota following the side impact crash test, with doors removed for inspection.
Action shot from the 2008 side impact crash test showing the driver dummy’s head leaning towards the window sill, highlighting potential head injury risk.
Greasepaint evidence indicating head contact for the rear passenger dummy with the rear window frame and pillar in the 2008 Dodge Dakota side impact test.
Technical Measurements – Side Impact Test
| Measurement | 2008 Model (CES0821) | 2010 Model (CES0930) |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to Driver’s Seat Centerline (cm) | -6.0 | -4.0 |
| Driver Injury Measures | 2008 Model (CES0821) | 2010 Model (CES0930) |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 179 | 174 |
| Neck Tension | 1.7 kN | 1.6 kN |
| Neck Compression | 0.1 kN | 0.1 kN |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection | 65 mm | 59 mm |
| Shoulder Lateral Force | 2.8 kN | 2.2 kN |
| Torso Maximum Deflection | 60 mm | 56 mm |
| Torso Average Deflection | 49 mm | 51 mm |
| Torso Maximum Deflection Rate | 6.22 m/s | 7.21 m/s |
| Torso Maximum Viscous Criterion | 1.32 m/s | 1.50 m/s |
| Pelvis Iliac Force | 1.8 kN | 2.3 kN |
| Pelvis Acetabulum Force | 2.2 kN | 1.0 kN |
| Pelvis Combined Force | 4.1 kN | 3.2 kN |
| Left Femur L-M Force | 0.3 kN | 0.4 kN |
| Left Femur L-M Moment | 25 Nm | 26 Nm |
| Left Femur A-P Moment | 18 Nm | 19 Nm |
| Passenger Injury Measures | 2008 Model (CES0821) | 2010 Model (CES0930) |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 96 | 115 |
| Neck Tension | 1.2 kN | 1.3 kN |
| Neck Compression | 0.2 kN | 0.1 kN |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection | 46 mm | 41 mm |
| Shoulder Lateral Force | 1.7 kN | 1.5 kN |
| Torso Maximum Deflection | 37 mm | 37 mm |
| Torso Average Deflection | 28 mm | 27 mm |
| Torso Maximum Deflection Rate | 3.45 m/s | 3.39 m/s |
| Torso Maximum Viscous Criterion | 0.47 m/s | 0.39 m/s |
| Pelvis Iliac Force | 0.2 kN | 0.3 kN |
| Pelvis Acetabulum Force | 1.1 kN | 1.3 kN |
| Pelvis Combined Force | 1.3 kN | 1.6 kN |
| Left Femur L-M Force | 0.4 kN | 0.1 kN |
| Left Femur L-M Moment | 55 Nm | 46 Nm |
| Left Femur A-P Moment | -42 Nm | 54 Nm |
It’s crucial to note the issue with side airbag deployment in some 2010 models tested. While side airbags were optional on earlier Dakotas and all Mitsubishi Raiders (related vehicle), they became standard in 2011. Chrysler addressed the non-deployment issue with production line changes and a customer service campaign for trucks built before March 2010. Checking the manufacturing date on the certification label is advised for owners of these models. The side impact ratings for the 2009 Dodge Dakota are based on tests with and without functioning side airbags due to these inconsistencies.
Post-crash view of the 2010 Dodge Dakota and the deformable barrier following the side impact crash test.
Inspection of the occupant compartment damage after the 2010 Dodge Dakota side impact crash test, doors removed to reveal structural deformation.
Action capture from the 2010 side impact crash test showing the driver dummy’s head making contact with the window sill.
Greasepaint markings on the rear passenger dummy’s head indicating contact with the rear window frame and pillar during the 2010 Dodge Dakota side impact test.
Roof Strength Test: Marginal Rating
The 2009 Dodge Dakota received a “Marginal” overall rating in the roof strength test, which measures the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover scenario.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 4,321 lbs |
| Peak Force | 13,938 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 3.23 |
A strength-to-weight ratio of 3.23 indicates that the Dakota’s roof can withstand 3.23 times the vehicle’s weight before significant crush. While this meets minimum standards, it falls into the “Marginal” category compared to vehicles with higher ratios.
Head Restraints & Seats: Acceptable to Poor Ratings
The 2009 Dodge Dakota’s head restraints and seats received varying ratings depending on the seat type:
Seats without Adjustable Lumbar: Acceptable Rating
For models equipped with seats without adjustable lumbar support, the overall evaluation was “Acceptable.”
- Dynamic Rating: “Acceptable”
- Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: “Good”
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Geometry Backset | 40 mm |
| Geometry Distance Below Head Top | 50 mm |
| Max T1 Acceleration | 9.2 g |
| Head Contact Time | 84 ms |
| Force Rating | 2 |
| Max Neck Shear Force | 194 N |
| Max Neck Tension | 730 N |
Seats with Adjustable Lumbar: Poor Rating
For models with seats with adjustable lumbar support, the overall evaluation was “Poor.”
- Dynamic Rating: “Poor”
- Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: “Good”
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Geometry Backset | 32 mm |
| Geometry Distance Below Head Top | 55 mm |
| Max T1 Acceleration | 9.9 g |
| Head Contact Time | 105 ms |
| Force Rating | 3 |
| Max Neck Shear Force | 225 N |
| Max Neck Tension | 848 N |
The “Poor” rating for seats with adjustable lumbar is driven by the dynamic test performance, despite good geometry, suggesting potential whiplash risk in rear-end collisions for these seat types.
Conclusion: 2009 Dodge Dakota Safety Profile
The 2009 Dodge Dakota demonstrates a mixed safety performance. It excels in frontal crash protection, achieving a “Good” rating. However, it shows weaknesses in side impact and roof strength, both rated “Marginal.” Head restraints also vary, with “Acceptable” ratings for base seats but “Poor” for those with adjustable lumbar.
Potential buyers should consider these safety ratings in their decision-making process, especially if side impact and rollover protection are primary concerns. Understanding these results provides valuable insight into the 2009 Dodge Dakota’s safety capabilities.
