Complaints
650
Crashes
49
Fires
11
Injuries
37
Fatalities
3
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Dodge Dakota Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#182 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
Avg mileage:65,348 mi
#275 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Avg mileage:67,665 mi
#323 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:104,721 mi
Crash-related:17
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Dodge Dakota.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 82 | — | — | 65,348 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 75 | — | — | 67,665 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 23 | 17 | — | 104,721 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 21 | 3 | 1 | 52,500 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 20 | 3 | — | 124,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 16 | — | 4 | 44,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 16 | — | — | 115,667 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 15 | — | — | 66,819 mi | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 13 | 2 | — | 54,700 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 12 | — | 1 | 92,384 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 11 | 1 | — | 49,773 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 11 | — | — | 77,359 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 11 | — | — | 37,000 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 9 | 2 | — | 125,000 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 4 | — | 76,032 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 7 | — | — | 78,303 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 7 | — | — | 72,834 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | — | — | 120,000 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 6 | — | — | 120,333 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 6 | — | — | 90,239 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 5 | — | — | 72,500 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 134,667 mi | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm | 5 | — | — | 70,000 mi |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
82
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,348
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
75
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,665
Air Bags:Frontal
23
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,721
Automatic Transmission
21
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
52,500
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
20
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
44,000
Suspension:Front
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,667
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,819
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,700
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
92,384
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
49,773
Suspension Failures
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,359
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
37,000
Tire Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
125,000
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,032
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,303
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,834
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,000
Gasoline Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,333
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,239
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,500
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
134,667
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,000
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Dakota Years
1997 Dodge Dakota — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1997 Dodge Dakota has 650 NHTSA complaints, 49 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint with 82 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint (82 complaints, avg 65,348 mi); Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint (75 complaints, avg 67,665 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (23 complaints, avg 104,721 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Dodge Dakota?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 76,438 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Dodge Dakota include 49 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 37 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Dodge Dakota as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Dodge Dakota?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Dakota reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Dodge Dakota
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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