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1997 Dodge DakotaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 446 owner complaints about the 1997 Dodge Dakota, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

32
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.1× the Dakota median · #7 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints44671 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage62kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 23, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Dodge Dakota has problems

446 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension1420
Service brakes, hydraulic687
Engine and engine cooling492
Power train467
Air bags3722
Steering341
Fuel system, gasoline341
Seats225
Electrical system171
13 other systems9811

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1997 Dodge Dakota recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Air bags

Recall 01V-153 · May 8, 2001 · 216,100 vehicles

Risk. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 00V-193 · Jul 17, 2000 · 40,000 vehicles

Risk. A PUNCTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 00V-198 · Jul 17, 2000 · 437,000 vehicles

Risk. A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 00V-199 · Jul 17, 2000 · 91,610 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONTACT CAN RESULT IN WEAR, AND AFTER EXTENDED CONTACT, COULD CAUSE A PERFORATION IN THE FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

62kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 87 suspension complaints. 84% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 31% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
7under 30k miles73under 100k miles14100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Suspension

10 owners mentioned a cost

$950median

Middle half: $653 – $1,000

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Dakota year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Dakota median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Dodge Dakota safety ratings

1997 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Dodge Dakota, and the recalls they led to.

  1. UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATIONEA03023 · closed Feb 11, 2005
    Led to recall 04V-596
In owners' words

What Dakota owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

PREMATURE WEAR AND FAILURE OF UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. TRUCK WAS MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN YOU TURNED THE WHEEL OR WENT OVER BUMPS. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC; MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE SCARY BAD. MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT IF I HAD NOT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT WHEELS COULD…
Complaint 10453601 · Mar 30, 2012 · 124,219 miles
DUE TO POOR CHOICE OF MATERIALS (I ASSUME) THE FRONT HUB AND SPINDLE ASSEMBLY WEARS. LEAVING FRONT BRAKE SLIDER PINS UNATTACHED TO CALIPER MOUNTING PLATE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE FRONT CALIPER WOBBLES IN IT'S PLACE, POSSIBLY EJECTING THE SLIDEPINS BECAUSE THEY "WOBBLE" IN THE KNUCKLE HOLES DESIGNED…
Complaint 10267391 · Apr 30, 2009 · 180,000 miles
THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 97 DODGE DAKOTA ARE WORN OUT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SUPPOSEDLY THERE IS A RECALL IN EFFECT FOR NEWER DAKOTAS AS THOUGH THE PROBLEM DIDN'T START UNTIL AFTER 1997. THIS IS A FAULTY PART FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND ITS REPAIR (AMONGST THE MANY OTHER…
Complaint 10246633 · Oct 24, 2008 · 170,000 miles

Own a 1997 Dakota?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.