The 1997 Dodge Dakota has 487 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and service brakes. Owners most often flag automatic transmission failure: premature failure requiring multiple replacements, described as "not a matter of if, but when." frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1997 Dodge Dakota vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 5 Dakota model years we track, complaint volume runs from 144 (2007) to 690 (1999). With 487 complaints, the 1997 Dakota sits about the same asthe model's median of 470.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT 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 REQUIREMEN…
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, 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 REQUIREMEN…
suspension:front:hub
Campaign 08E064000SKF 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 ERR…
service brakes, hydraulic
Campaign 06E022000CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYB…
Sentiment is highly polarized and heavily dependent on the specific vehicle's maintenance history and powertrain. Owner experiences range from "fantastic and very reliable" long-term ownership with minimal issues to catastrophic, repeated…
Owner insights cover all generations of the Dakota. See the full Dakota owner picture and every model year.
Used Dakota listings typically run $6,995–$11,670 across 1998 to 2010 model years.
Compare every Dakota year side by side to see how 1997 ranks against the rest.