1998 Dodge Dakota Problems: Suspension (533 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 1998 Dodge Dakota is Suspension (36% of 533 owner reports). There are 12 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Suspension — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 533 complaints · 12 recalls
What problems show up on the 1998 Dodge Dakota?
190 of 533 filings named Suspension (36% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Transmission / driveline (58 reports).
There are 12 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Brakes, Suspension, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 1997 has 433 reports on file; this year has 533. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Suspension 190 complaints · 35.7% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 42
- Fires 1
- Injuries 26
- Deaths 6
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 190 | 35.7% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 58 | 10.9% | 6 crashes · 0 fires |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 58 | 10.9% | 9 crashes · 0 fires |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 47 | 8.8% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Steering (STEERING) | 32 | 6.0% | 2 crashes · 0 fires |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 30 | 5.6% | 18 crashes · 0 fires |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 19 | 3.6% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) | 16 | 3.0% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) | 13 | 2.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 463 | 86.9% | 37 crashes · 1 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 00V193000 was reported 824 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 00V198000 was reported 824 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 08E064000 was reported 3,911 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 09E025000 was reported 3,752 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 1998-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 1998-Q2 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 1998-Q3 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 1998-Q4 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 1999-Q1 | Owner reports | 34 | |
| 1999-Q2 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 1999-Q3 | Owner reports | 25 | |
| 1999-Q4 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2000-Q1 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2000-Q2 | Owner reports | 17 | |
| 2000-Q3 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2000-Q4 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2001-Q1 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2001-Q2 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2001-Q3 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2001-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2002-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2002-Q2 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2002-Q3 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2002-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2003-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2003-Q2 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2003-Q3 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2003-Q4 | Owner reports | 29 | |
| 2004-Q1 | Owner reports | 39 | |
| 2004-Q2 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2004-Q3 | Owner reports | 21 | |
| 2004-Q4 | Owner reports | 41 | |
| 2005-Q1 | Owner reports | 31 | |
| 2005-Q2 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2005-Q3 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2005-Q4 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2006-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2006-Q2 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2007-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2007-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2007-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2008-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2008-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2008-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2009-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2009-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2009-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2009-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2010-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2010-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2010-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2011-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2011-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2011-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2012-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2012-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2012-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2013-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2013-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2014-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2017-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2017-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2018-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2023-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 97V170000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 98V208000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 00V193000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 00V198000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 01V153000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 06E022000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 06E024000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 06E026000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 06E065000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 08E064000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 09E012000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 09E025000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA03023 |
Safety Recalls (12)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Brakes, Suspension, and Lights.
-
Recall campaign 00V193000
Brakes
- Report date
- Component:
- Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- 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 campaign 00V198000
Brakes
- Report date
- Component:
- Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
- Consequence:
- A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.
- 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 campaign 01V153000
Safety recall 01V153000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- 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.
- 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 campaign 06E022000
Safety recall 06E022000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy:
- AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
-
Recall campaign 06E024000
Safety recall 06E024000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
- Remedy:
- K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
-
Recall campaign 06E026000
Safety recall 06E026000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy:
- PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
-
Recall campaign 06E065000
Safety recall 06E065000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy:
- AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
-
Recall campaign 08E064000
Suspension
- Report date
- Component:
- Suspension (SUSPENSION)
- Consequence:
- IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
- Remedy:
- SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.
-
Recall campaign 09E012000
Safety recall 09E012000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy:
- SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
-
Recall campaign 09E025000
Lights
- Report date
- Component:
- Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
- Consequence:
- DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy:
- DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
-
Recall campaign 97V170000
Brakes
- Report date
- Component:
- Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 98V208000
Safety recall 98V208000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE CAB TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy:
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BOLTS WITH PROPERLY HARDENED BOLTS.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 10 of 533 complaints · page 1 of 22
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
1 Safety recall found,Reprogram Pcm and inspect Catalytic Converter.I never got a recall notice in the mail just happen to go on line and find it.My engine light,Anti -brake light and emergency light stays on.My speedometer and odometer quit working.I took my truck to the Dodge dealership and they said the parts are discontinued and they cannot get them but they did do a inspection and said everything was ok.I still have the same problems and I am concerned about my safety and the safety of others involved while I am driving my truck.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. During the failure, there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal a clicking noise was present and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 210,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ENGINE MYSTERIOUSLY DIES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT MAY HAPPEN AT IDLE ALL THE WAY TO AND INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DRY WEATHER OR WET WEATHER. COLD WEATHER OR HOT WEATHER. COLD ENGINE OR WARM ENGINE. NO PATTERN DETECTED. IT DOESN'T SPLUTTER -- IT JUST DIES AS IF THE IGNITION KEY HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, AND IT THROWS NO CODE.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
MY TRUCK HAS A BAD PCM I HAVE IT REBUILT 3 TIMES AND THE SAME PROBLEM WILL START ONCE THEN WILL NOT START PUT A PCM IN FROM A 8CYL RUNS ALL DAY NOT WELL BECAUSE ITS FROM 8CYL EVERYTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED AND STILL WILL NOT START I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THIS SAME THING ON LINE THIS IS MY FIRST DODGE ND IT WILL BE MY LAST AND ALL OF THIS IS FROM THE DODGE DEALER
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I FOUND A LIST OF RECALLS ON PEP BOYS WEBSITE
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 214,674.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE TRUCK HAS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON OUT OF NO WHERE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN VERY DARK TWO LANE ROAD AND LIGHTS GO OFF. THANK GOD NOBODY TRIED PASSING IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC PR WE WOULD BE DEAD I REPLACED LIGHT SWITCH A FEW MONTHS AGO AND IT WAS FINE UNTIL RECENTLY STARTED DOING SAME THING. *TR
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 1998 Dodge Dakota?
Owners named Suspension most often — 190 of 533 reports (36%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 1998 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA lists 12 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Brakes, Suspension, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 1998 Dodge Dakota?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.