Complaints
793
Crashes
58
Fires
1
Injuries
32
Fatalities
6
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Dodge Dakota Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1137 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
Avg mileage:65,845 mi
#2105 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Avg mileage:64,173 mi
#333 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:74,375 mi
Crash-related:4
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Dodge Dakota.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 137 | — | — | 65,845 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 105 | — | — | 64,173 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 33 | 4 | — | 74,375 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 23 | 16 | — | 49,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 23 | — | — | 70,798 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 19 | 5 | — | 79,500 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 18 | — | — | 73,152 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 15 | 2 | — | 60,300 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 13 | 3 | — | 74,537 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 11 | 1 | — | 52,500 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 11 | 1 | — | 86,433 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 11 | — | — | 106,657 mi | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 10 | — | — | 54,463 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 10 | 1 | — | 80,583 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 10 | — | — | 62,759 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | — | — | 47,028 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 9 | — | — | 52,000 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 3 | — | 119,475 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 8 | — | — | 153,255 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 1 | — | 55,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 7 | — | — | 51,500 mi | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 7 | — | — | 59,092 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | 1 | — | 96,300 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 6 | — | — | 300 mi | |
| Brakes | 6 | 1 | — | 123,667 mi |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
137
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,845
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
105
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,173
Automatic Transmission
33
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,375
Air Bags:Frontal
23
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
—
Avg Miles
49,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,798
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
19
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,500
Suspension:Front
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,152
Tire Defects
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,300
Hydraulic Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,537
Suspension:Rear
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,500
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,433
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,657
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,463
Steering Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,583
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,759
Suspension Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,028
Steering:Rack And Pinion
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,000
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,475
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
153,255
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,500
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,092
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,300
Manual Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
300
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
123,667
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Dakota Years
1998 Dodge Dakota — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1998 Dodge Dakota has 793 NHTSA complaints, 58 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint with 137 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint (137 complaints, avg 65,845 mi); Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint (105 complaints, avg 64,173 mi); Automatic Transmission (33 complaints, avg 74,375 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 1998 Dodge Dakota?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 68,711 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Dodge Dakota include 58 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 32 injuries, and 6 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 1998 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 Dodge Dakota?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
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 1998 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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