NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 452 owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Dakota. Most complaints involve suspension (140) and service brakes, hydraulic (68). The EPA rates it 13–20 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Dakota model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 199 |
| 1997 | 452 |
| 1998 | 557 |
| 1999 | 688 |
| 2000 | 830 |
| 2001 | 678 |
| 2002 | 689 |
| 2003 | 296 |
| 2004 | 206 |
| 2005 | 470 |
| 2006 | 285 |
| 2007 | 145 |
| 2008 | 91 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 35 |
| 2011 | 44 |
“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”
“THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BOLTS TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA, 4WD. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE DESIGN, THE THREADS THAT HOLD THE BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING STUDS CAN STRIP OUT, THEREBY LEAVING THE CALIPER TO FLOAT ON THE KNUCKLE. UNDER PROLONGED USE, THESE STUDS CAN BACK OUT, LETTING THE CALIPER FALL OFF, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW, ONCE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND TWICE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE THREADS STRIP OUT, AND THE MOUNTING BOSS SECTION IS SO SMALL THAT A LARGER THREAD CANNOT BE RETAPPED WITHOUT DANGER OF BREAKING THE HOLE OUT. AUTO PARTS SUPPLIERS SELL SLIGHTLY OVERSIZE, SELF TAPPING STUDS, BUT THESE DO NOT LAST LONG. THE STEERING KNUCKLE IS A VERY PRICEY PART (ON THE ORDER OF $600 JUST FOR THE PART) AND CONTINUING REPLACEMENT IS COST PROHIBITIVE. MY VEHICLE IS APPARENTLY NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, AS A SEARCH OF SALVAGE YARDS REVEALED NUMEROUS STRIPPED OUT THREADS ON VEHICLES WHERE THE STEERING KNUCKLE WAS ACTUALLY AVAILABLE. *TR”
“CAR LOST POWER AND LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SCANNER SHOWED CODE P0740; TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM. HAD TO OVERHAUL TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *JS”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | $4,950 | 684 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
12 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 452 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (140), service brakes, hydraulic (68), power train (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Dodge Dakota at 13–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).