Menu

1998 Dodge DakotaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 545 owner complaints about the 1998 Dodge Dakota, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

29
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.4× the Dakota median · #5 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints54565 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage64kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 10, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Dodge Dakota has problems

545 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
Suspension2172
Power train746
Service brakes, hydraulic6811
Engine and engine cooling603
Steering474
Air bags3223
Seat belts202
Structure190
Visibility191
17 other systems1067

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

5 recalls

1998 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 →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Recall 97V-170 · Oct 7, 1997 · 7,500 vehicles

Risk. PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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?

64kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 133 suspension complaints. 92% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 39% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
11under 30k miles123under 100k miles10100k 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

12 owners mentioned a cost

$1,050median

Middle half: $749 – $1,484

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

1998 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

1998 Dodge Dakota safety ratings

1998 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 1998 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.

THIS CAR HAS BEEN A SAFETY NIGHTMARE. FROM STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTING THROUGH (AND THE VEHICLE LOSING IT BRAKES), TO UPPER BALL JOINTS ALMOST SEPARATING TO STEERING WHEEL DRIVE SHAFTS WHERE THE U-JOINTS ALMOST SEPARATED. THESE ARE NOT ITEMS THAT SHOULD FAIL LIKE THIS. I SPENT PART OF MY CAREER…
Complaint 11053577 · Dec 8, 2017 · 100,000 miles
MY TIRES HAVE BEEN WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, I HAD THE TRUCK LOOKED AT AND ALL BALL JOINT UPPERS AND LOWERS ARE BAD. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 90,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN TO AND FROM WORK FOR THE LAST 5 1/2 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS READY TO GIVE WAY.…
Complaint 10210965 · Dec 5, 2007 · 90,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND ALSO HAS A VERY NOISY LIFTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS IN AND OUT OF LANES AT ANY SPEED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HE WAS…
Complaint 10209566 · Nov 20, 2007 · 82,000 miles

Own a 1998 Dakota?

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