1997 Dodge Dakota Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 446 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 Dodge Dakota overview page.
What owners report
“52000 MILES AND I HAVE REPLACED THESE ITEMS: BELT TENSIONER, A/C COMPRESSOR, 3 SETS OF FRONT TIRES (THE TIRES ARE WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE-THE…”NHTSA complaint 716770 — filed 01/03/2000
“WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE IS BACKFIRING/STALLING/VIBRATING, AND VEHICLE DIES OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO GET A NEW CLUTCH AND THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION…”NHTSA complaint 837903 — filed 05/13/1999
“TRUCK WAS IN PARK, WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, AND REFUSED TO START. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES IT FINALLY STARTED. I STEPPED OUT TOO CLOSE THE…”NHTSA complaint 701368 — filed 01/19/1999
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1997 Dodge Dakota have power train:automatic transmission problems?
Power Train:automatic Transmission is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 1997 Dodge Dakota: 21 of 446 complaints on file (4.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1997 Dodge Dakota have in total?
446 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 42 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 30 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
