NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 557 owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge Dakota. Most complaints involve suspension (217) and power train (74). 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 |
“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 LOOKING AFTER GLOBAL PRODUCT LIABILITY FOR CUMMINS ENGINE AND I AM STUNNED AT THE POOR QUALITY CHRYSLER HAS USED IN CRITICAL COMPONENTS.”
“THE EMINE WILL DIE AMYTIME! GOING AROUND CORMERS LOR ON EXPRESSWAY SITTING IN DRIVEWAY IDLING. MY FAMILY HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE SINE 1999. THIS JUST STARTED 6 MONTHS AGO. UP UNTIL THEN IT NEVER HAPPENED. REPLACED SEVERAL SENSORS (TPS,IAC,MAP,COOLANT TEMP AND ALSO COMPUTER)SO FAR NOTHING FIXES IT. I KNOW DODGE KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND SO DO YOU!!! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE ARE TOO MANY DAKOTA/DURANGOS ON THE ROAD I AM SURPRISED NO ONE HAS DIED OR AT VERY LEAST BEEN HURT BADLY. I KNOW IT GOES ON IN EARLIER DAKOTAS AND LATER OF BOTH NOT SURE IF IT EVER WAS FIXED SINCE OLD BODYSTYLE ENDED IN 2004. HAPPWNED FIRST TIME ABOUT FEB.1,2018. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR OF DYING OR BADLY HURT BECAUSE IT DIES ANYWHERE ANYTIME INCLUDING RUSH HOUR TRFFIC IN TULSA OK”
“The contact owned a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 25 MPH and attempting to slow the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. As a result, the vehicle careened off the roadway and into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The occupants were all transported to an area hospital by EMT for treatment. The driver was treated for chest pain caused by the steering wheel; the contact was treated for a broken arm; the oldest rear seat occupant was treated for a facial injury, losing two front teeth; and the youngest rear seat occupant was treated for a concussion. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V170000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.”
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 | 14 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 13 | $4,950 | 684 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | $4,950 | 684 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD Man 5-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 28, 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 557 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (217), power train (74), service brakes, hydraulic (67). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Dodge Dakota at 13–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).