Model year record

1998 Dodge Dakota

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 793 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V153000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
216,100
Reported to NHTSA
2001-05-08
Owners notified
2001-06-18

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

Safety risk

WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V193000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
40,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-17
Owners notified
2000-09-11

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH 2.5L ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE FOR WEAR. IF WEAR IS EVIDENT, THE BRAKE TUBE AND/OR POWER STEERING HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. A POWER STEERING STANDOFF BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE IS MAINTAINED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V198000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
437,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-17
Owners notified
2000-08-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE FOR EVIDENCE OF WEAR. WORN BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. THE REAR VENT HOSE WILL BE SHORTENED BY 3 INCHES AND A CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ASSURE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AXLE VENT LINE AND BRAKE HOSE IS MAINTAINED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V208000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
12,400
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-08
Owners notified
1998-09-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH BOLTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED. THE BOLTS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE CAB AND THE CORE SUPPORT TO THE FRAME.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE CAB TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BOLTS WITH PROPERLY HARDENED BOLTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V170000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
7,500
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-07
Owners notified
1997-11-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.

Safety risk

PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint13767,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint10565,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3393,000 mi
Air bags: frontal2336,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2370,798 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1952,000 mi
Suspension: front1862,972 mi
Tires1561,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1380,000 mi
Suspension: rear12
Unknown or other12106,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1140,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1190,300 mi
Suspension: front: control arm11106,657 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit1053,000 mi
Steering1080,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1065,000 mi
Suspension1038,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion97,000 mi
Air bags8134,000 mi
Electrical system8170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage8
Vehicle speed control855,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe745,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly7
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components7
Suspension: front: wheel bearing755,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine696,300 mi
Power train: manual transmission6300 mi
Service brakes696,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar6
Structure: frame and members627,675 mi
Visibility: windshield6
Engine5119,974 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system5
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner565,000 mi
Seat belts562,000 mi
Structure538,000 mi
Structure: body5128,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm546,059 mi
Engine and engine cooling490,000 mi
Exterior lighting4170,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump490,000 mi
Power train476,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper462,260 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor430,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm459,423 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber461,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Electrical system: ignition3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system389,000 mi
Equipment359,423 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch395,600 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable370,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly3
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft3
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Steering: column371,620 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system366,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core392,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear3
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs3
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Exterior lighting: headlights2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift282,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes, air: antilock2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Suspension: front: hub227,675 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar274,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Electronic stability control (ESC)1119,974 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)1300 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: back up lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline190,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1
Fuel system, other1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats175,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device163,665 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)149,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector127,675 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections198,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages163,734 mi
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1
Trailer hitches1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility/wiper1170,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor175,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels1162,000 mi

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.