Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1997 Dodge Dakota Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint — runs 6.3× the fleet median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
446Complaints
12Recalls
42Crashes
6Fires
30Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint (18.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint complaints here are 6.3× the median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint | 82 · 18.4% | Recalled | Recall 08E064000 |
| Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint | 75 · 16.8% | Recalled | Recall 08E064000 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 23 · 5.2% | Recalled | Recall 01V153000 · Recall 97V080000 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 21 · 4.7% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 20 · 4.5% | Recalled | Recall 06E022000 · Recall 00V198000 · Recall 00V193000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 16 · 3.6% | Recalled | Recall 06E024000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 446 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 12 campaigns
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:front:hub
NHTSA campaign 08E064000 · 2008 · reported 10/20/2008
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NHTSA campaign 00V199000 · 2000 · reported 07/17/2000
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E065000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA campaign 06E024000 · 2006 · reported 03/15/2006
A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NHTSA campaign 00V198000 · 2000 · reported 07/17/2000
A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NHTSA campaign 00V193000 · 2000 · reported 07/17/2000
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags
NHTSA campaign 01V153000 · 2001 · reported 05/08/2001
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
NHTSA campaign 97V080000 · 1997 · reported 05/16/1997
UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 6 TIMES AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.I DO NOT FEEL…”NHTSA complaint 717639 — filed 01/20/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THE CRUISE CONTROL (97 DAKOTA) HAS PROVEN INTERMITTENT ON EVERY LONG TRIP. FOUR ATTEMPTS BY THE DEALER TO LOCATE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN…”NHTSA complaint 717032 — filed 01/07/2000 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“THE CRUISE CONTROL (97 DAKOTA) HAS PROVEN INTERMITTENT ON EVERY LONG TRIP. FOUR ATTEMPTS BY THE DEALER TO LOCATE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN…”NHTSA complaint 717032 — filed 01/07/2000 · TIRES
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge Dakota?
Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint issues are the most-reported category, cited in 82 of 446 NHTSA complaints (18.4%), followed by suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (75), air bags:frontal (23), power train:automatic transmission (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Dodge Dakota have?
446 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 42 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 30 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Dodge Dakota's reported problems?
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
