Total Complaints
650 filings
DODGE DAKOTA · model year
1997 DODGE DAKOTA
650 NHTSA complaints, 49 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997DODGEDAKOTA carries 650 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 49 crashes, 11 fires, 37 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 DAKOTA is suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint with 82 filings, followed by suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (75) and air bags:frontal (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1997 DAKOTA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
650
Complaints
49
Crashes
11
Fires
37
Injuries
3
Deaths
Crashes Reported
49 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT | 82 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 75 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 23 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 21 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 20 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 16 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 16 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 15 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 13 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 12 |
| TIRES | 11 |
| SUSPENSION | 11 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 10 |
Recent Complaints
20180223SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE CRODDED, LOSS OF BRAKES IN MOTION IN DRIVEWAY
Mileage: 184,231
20161002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING. HAVE CHANGED HEADLIGHT SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES, BUT FAILS AGAIN. TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. CRUISE CONTROL IS DIFFICULT TO ACTIVATE. SOMETIMES TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR
Mileage: 120,000
20161002VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING. HAVE CHANGED HEADLIGHT SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES, BUT FAILS AGAIN. TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. CRUISE CONTROL IS DIFFICULT TO ACTIVATE. SOMETIMES TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR
Mileage: 120,000
20161002EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING. HAVE CHANGED HEADLIGHT SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES, BUT FAILS AGAIN. TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. CRUISE CONTROL IS DIFFICULT TO ACTIVATE. SOMETIMES TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR
Mileage: 120,000
20160506FireENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
20150529SERVICE BRAKES
TOOK VEHICLE TO DODGE DEALER (BRYDEN MOTORS BELOIT) FOR INSPECTION OF FUEL LINE AND BRAKES (FUEL LINE IS NOT RIGHT AND REAR BRAKE LINE IS LEAKING AFFECTING BRAKING) FUEL LINE PART WAS ORDERED NUT BRAKES WERE NOT INSPECTED AND IGNORED. I AM SUPPOSED TO RETURN WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO HAVE ORDERED FUEL LINE PART(S) INSTALLED.
Mileage: 118,000
20150419ENGINE
3 DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THE FUEL SYSTEM WENT DOWN. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND STILL WANTS TO STALL AND ACT LIKE ITS CLOGGED IN THE FUEL LINES. ITS BEEN FLUSHED. WHEN DRIVING IT BOGS DOWN AND CHUGS. IT WANTS TO DIE AND SHUT OFF WHILE YOUR DRIVING THE TRUCK. THE BRAKES ONLY WORK HALF THE TIME. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN'T EVEN STOP UNTIL I'M HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. REPLACED ALL THE SENSORS AND STILL DOESN'T WANT TO START AND STAY RUNNING. FUEL PUMP KICKS ON, BUT HAS TO RUN EXTRA HARD TO TRY AND KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING. *TR
Mileage: 171,000
20150419FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THE FUEL SYSTEM WENT DOWN. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND STILL WANTS TO STALL AND ACT LIKE ITS CLOGGED IN THE FUEL LINES. ITS BEEN FLUSHED. WHEN DRIVING IT BOGS DOWN AND CHUGS. IT WANTS TO DIE AND SHUT OFF WHILE YOUR DRIVING THE TRUCK. THE BRAKES ONLY WORK HALF THE TIME. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN'T EVEN STOP UNTIL I'M HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. REPLACED ALL THE SENSORS AND STILL DOESN'T WANT TO START AND STAY RUNNING. FUEL PUMP KICKS ON, BUT HAS TO RUN EXTRA HARD TO TRY AND KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING. *TR
Mileage: 171,000
20150419SERVICE BRAKES
3 DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THE FUEL SYSTEM WENT DOWN. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND STILL WANTS TO STALL AND ACT LIKE ITS CLOGGED IN THE FUEL LINES. ITS BEEN FLUSHED. WHEN DRIVING IT BOGS DOWN AND CHUGS. IT WANTS TO DIE AND SHUT OFF WHILE YOUR DRIVING THE TRUCK. THE BRAKES ONLY WORK HALF THE TIME. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN'T EVEN STOP UNTIL I'M HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. REPLACED ALL THE SENSORS AND STILL DOESN'T WANT TO START AND STAY RUNNING. FUEL PUMP KICKS ON, BUT HAS TO RUN EXTRA HARD TO TRY AND KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING. *TR
Mileage: 171,000
20141202FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 121,000
20140910FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 00V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
20140501SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT WAS UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Mileage: 125,000
20131118CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY
LOCKED VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HIGH, STARTED GOING THROUGH FLAT PASTURE, EITHER BRAKES LOCKED UP OR FRONT PUMKIN TURNED UP AND LOCKED FRONT WHEELS UP, LOST CONTROL AND ROLLED ONTO DRIVER SIDE. *TR
Mileage: 190,000
20131118CrashSERVICE BRAKES
LOCKED VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HIGH, STARTED GOING THROUGH FLAT PASTURE, EITHER BRAKES LOCKED UP OR FRONT PUMKIN TURNED UP AND LOCKED FRONT WHEELS UP, LOST CONTROL AND ROLLED ONTO DRIVER SIDE. *TR
Mileage: 190,000
20131118CrashSTEERING
LOCKED VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HIGH, STARTED GOING THROUGH FLAT PASTURE, EITHER BRAKES LOCKED UP OR FRONT PUMKIN TURNED UP AND LOCKED FRONT WHEELS UP, LOST CONTROL AND ROLLED ONTO DRIVER SIDE. *TR
Mileage: 190,000
20120420SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH. BURST WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY. REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES. *JS
Mileage: 86,000
20120420ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
REPLACED RUSTED RADIATOR. *JS
Mileage: 70,916
20120420ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
REPLACE RUSTED RADIATOR. *JS
Mileage: 113,600
20120330SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
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 HAVE BROKEN OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WRECK. *JS
Mileage: 124,219
20120330SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
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 HAVE BROKEN OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WRECK. *JS
Mileage: 124,219
Compare 1997DODGEDAKOTA to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 DODGE DAKOTA have?▼
The 1997 DODGE DAKOTA has 650 NHTSA complaints, 49 crashes, 11 fires, 37 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 DODGE DAKOTA?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 DODGE DAKOTA is SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT with 82 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1997 DODGE DAKOTA safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.