One problem related to noises during shifting has been reported for the 1996 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Transmission - excessive rumble noise from purchase (5/8/1999). Dealer said no problem found several times, later after several requests, confirmed problem, replaced (they said) the transmission. Within a year, truck began to have shifting trouble @ 28,000 miles, transmission had lost it's fluid. Dealer gave us a gallon of fluid to keep it "topped off" - later replaced a transmission seal. Truck has consistently shifted from overdrive to 2nd gear on hills or moderate inclines, instead of 3rd gear, causing engine to race (red line) and cruise control to disengage. Similar problem happens when accelerating, truck will downshift from o. D. -or- 3rd gear, engine races, making simple passing on highway virutally impossible. Problem has persisted from original purchase (by us) and recently gotten worse.