How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge Dakota have?

The 1997 Dodge Dakota has 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1997 Dodge Dakota has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1997 Dodge Dakota?

Of 650 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is suspension.

1997 Dodge Dakota Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Dodge Dakota has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 909,710 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 650 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 01V153000 2001-05-08 216,100 affected

Defect

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…

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…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 00V199000 2000-07-17 91,610 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS WITH A 131 INCH WHEELBASE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND THE CAB UNDERBODY.

Consequence

THIS CONTACT CAN RESULT IN WEAR, AND AFTER EXTENDED CONTACT, COULD CAUSE A PERFORATION IN THE FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER CLEARANCE. FUEL LINES THAT EXHIBIT INADEQUATE CLEARANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED FUEL LINE THAT WILL ASSURE PROPER CLEARANCE.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 00V193000 2000-07-17 40,000 affected

Defect

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.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 00V198000 2000-07-17 437,000 affected

Defect

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

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.

AIR BAGS 97V080000 1997-05-16 125,000 affected

Defect

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Consequence

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

1711

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

311

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SUSPENSION:FRONT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Total complaints650

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Brake line crodded, loss of brakes in motion in driveway”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2018-01-31

“Headlights keep failing. Have changed headlight switch several times, but fails again. Transmission won't shift into overdrive. Cruise control is difficult to activate. Sometimes transmission won't shift from 2nd to 3rd gear”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2016-07-08

“Headlights keep failing. Have changed headlight switch several times, but fails again. Transmission won't shift into overdrive. Cruise control is difficult to activate. Sometimes transmission won't shift from 2nd to 3rd gear”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2016-07-08

“Headlights keep failing. Have changed headlight switch several times, but fails again. Transmission won't shift into overdrive. Cruise control is difficult to activate. Sometimes transmission won't shift from 2nd to 3rd gear”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2016-07-08

“Tl* the contact owned a 1997 dodge dakota. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle began to overheat without warning. The contact pulled over and opened the hood of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the engine was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed and no…”

ENGINE · reported 2016-04-28

“Took vehicle to dodge dealer (bryden motors beloit) for inspection of fuel line and brakes (fuel line is not right and rear brake line is leaking affecting braking) fuel line part was ordered nut brakes were not inspected and ignored. I am supposed to return wednesday afternoon to have ordered…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2015-05-29

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge dakota. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor emitting outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2014-11-20

“3 days after we bought this vehicle the fuel system went down. Replaced the fuel pump and still wants to stall and act like its clogged in the fuel lines. Its been flushed. When driving it bogs down and chugs. It wants to die and shut off while your driving the truck. The brakes only work half the…”

ENGINE · reported 2014-09-26