The 2009 Dodge Dakota, a mid-size pickup truck, was evaluated for safety performance by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This article provides a detailed analysis of the crash test ratings for the 2009 Dodge Dakota, drawing from IIHS test results to inform potential buyers and automotive enthusiasts about its safety strengths and weaknesses. The Dodge Dakota models from 2005 to 2011 share similar designs and therefore, many of these ratings apply across this model range.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
The 2009 Dodge Dakota achieved a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. This test simulates a frontal collision between a vehicle traveling at 40 mph and a deformable barrier, offset to impact 40% of the vehicle’s width.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The evaluation criteria indicate “Good” performance across all measured categories. The structure and safety cage of the Dakota held up well during the impact, maintaining the driver’s survival space effectively.
Action shot from the moderate overlap front crash test, demonstrating the structural integrity of the 2009 Dodge Dakota.
The dummy’s position after the crash test, in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel, confirmed that the driver’s survival space was well-maintained. Minimal intrusion into the driver’s side and low leg and foot injury measures were recorded.
Dummy positioning post-frontal crash in the 2009 Dodge Dakota, highlighting the maintained driver space and effective restraint system.
Analysis of greasepaint on the B-pillar showed where the dummy’s head contacted during rebound, but head acceleration from this contact was negligible, indicating good head and neck protection.
Greasepaint evidence of head contact on the B-pillar of the 2009 Dodge Dakota during the frontal crash test, indicating low head injury risk.
Technical measurements from the test further support the “Good” rating, with minimal footwell intrusion and instrument panel movement.
Footwell integrity of the 2009 Dodge Dakota cabin after the frontal crash, demonstrating strong structural performance and occupant protection.
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
In the side impact test, the 2009 Dodge Dakota received a “Marginal” overall rating. This test simulates a side collision where a moving deformable barrier strikes the driver’s side of the vehicle. The test results are based on evaluations from both a 2008 Dodge Dakota without side airbags and a 2010 model with optional side airbags where the airbags malfunctioned.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | M |
| Structure and safety cage | A |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | P |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | M |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | M |
While the structure and safety cage earned an “Acceptable” rating, indicating moderate structural performance in side impacts, driver torso protection was rated as “Poor”.
Side impact collision dynamics on a 2009 Dodge Dakota, showing the point of impact and vehicle deformation.
Damage to the occupant compartment after the side impact test highlights the extent of intrusion.
Post-side impact damage to the 2009 Dodge Dakota cabin, illustrating the structural deformation and potential occupant risk areas.
The driver’s head protection was rated “Marginal” because in both tests, the dummy’s head was either hit by the window sill or remained unprotected from potential ejection or contact with external objects. Similarly, rear passenger head protection was also rated “Marginal” due to head contact with the rear window frame and pillar.
Driver dummy head excursion in the 2009 Dodge Dakota side impact test, showing potential for head injury due to window sill contact.
Greasepaint marks on the rear passenger dummy indicate head contact with vehicle interior components during the side impact, leading to the marginal head protection rating.
Rear passenger dummy head contact points in the 2009 Dodge Dakota side impact test, highlighting areas of potential head injury risk.
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 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 65 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 2.8 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 60 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 49 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 6.22 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 1.32 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.2 |
| Combined force (kN) | 4.1 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.3 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 25 |
| 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 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 46 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.45 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.47 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Combined force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 55 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -42 |
It’s important to note that side airbags were optional on the 2009 Dodge Dakota and became standard in 2011 models. The tests highlighted issues even with optional side airbags in early models due to deployment failures. Chrysler addressed this with production line changes and a customer service campaign for pre-March 2010 vehicles.
Roof Strength Test
The 2009 Dodge Dakota received a “Marginal” rating in the roof strength test. This test evaluates the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash.
| Overall evaluation | M |
|---|---|
| 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 that the roof could withstand 3.23 times the vehicle’s weight before significant crush, resulting in the “Marginal” rating.
Head Restraints & Seats
The head restraints and seats of the 2009 Dodge Dakota were evaluated, with different ratings depending on the seat type (with or without adjustable lumbar support).
Seats without adjustable lumbar:
| Overall evaluation | A |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | A |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Seats without adjustable lumbar received an “Acceptable” overall rating, with a “Good” geometric rating.
Technical Measurements – Seats without adjustable lumbar:
| Seat type | Seats without adjustable lumbar |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 40 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 50 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 9.2 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 84 |
| Force rating | 2 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 194 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 730 |
Seats with adjustable lumbar:
| Overall evaluation | P |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | P |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Seats with adjustable lumbar received a “Poor” overall rating, despite a “Good” geometric rating. This poor dynamic rating indicates a higher risk of whiplash injury in rear-end collisions for seats with adjustable lumbar.
Technical Measurements – Seats with adjustable lumbar:
| Seat type | Seats with adjustable lumbar |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 32 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 55 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Fail |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 9.9 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 105 |
| Force rating | 3 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 225 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 848 |
Conclusion
The 2009 Dodge Dakota demonstrates “Good” performance in frontal crash protection, offering solid structural integrity and occupant protection in head-on collisions. However, it received “Marginal” ratings for side impact and roof strength, indicating vulnerabilities in these areas. Furthermore, head restraints and seats have varying performance, with seats featuring adjustable lumbar support rated poorly for whiplash protection.
Prospective buyers of a 2009 Dodge Dakota should consider these safety ratings, particularly the marginal side impact and roof strength scores, alongside other factors when making their vehicle selection. Understanding these safety aspects can contribute to a more informed decision regarding vehicle safety.
