10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,038 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Dodge Dakota accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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1997 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

problem #13

Feb 192000

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I cannot rest properly against the seat back it will recline on its own. Reaching into pocket at drive-thru restaurants applying moderate pressure against seat back it falls all the way back. If I accelerate swiftly the seat back will drop from behind me. In event of accident I'm sure I will have no support to prevent whiplash.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #12

Feb 272004

(reported on)

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles
For a period of a year front driver and passenger set back collapsed. This happened over fifty times and while driving. Consumer tried cleaning the recliner handle and surrounding area, but the problem still occurs.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 202002

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Replace both sides of upper and lower ball joints at 60K and 120K despite using the best grease in them synthetic. I've complained about the seat back before since new it falls back. Front bucket.

- Meade, KS, USA

problem #10

May 102003

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota extra cab. It constanly leaks water onto the floorboards, soaking the carpet.many other owners report this problem too. Also the drivers seatback will not lock. When I put on the brake, the back of the seat reclines. This is a very dangerous defect.

- Halifax, MA, USA

problem #9

Mar 132001

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
While accelerating from a stop both front seats randomly fall almost flat, causing several near rear end collisions from losing control of steering wheel. On occasions the driver seat has fallen and striking our 2 year old in the face. Not only does it collapse from stops, as does it happen when hitting a small bump, speed bumps, or other small rough patches in the road. I have found no way to keep them upright and I fully believe this is a manufacture defect and I should not have to foot the $700+ bill to replace/repair these seats.

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

problem #8

Sep 262002

Dakota

  • miles
Consumer states when vehicle was rear ended, the driver side seat back recline backwards into the rear driver side seat and the seat frame twisted. Which could of caused serious injuries it rear seat was occupied at time of accident.dealer contacted. Nlm

- Sturgis, MI, USA

problem #7

Aug 171999

Dakota

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Drivers seat back adjuster is stripped. Upon acceleration, seatback will collapse into an almost flat position. I have lost control on several occasions. Dealer, manufacturer, and vehicle extended warranty company all refuse to repair. What prompted me was a report on tv about this same problem where a guy died from a minor rearend collision, he was also driving an extended cab pickup and his seatback failed, he hit his head on the back window frame and died! repair part cost is $700 not including labor.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #6

Mar 182001

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
Seat backs randomly collapses, never sure if it's locked.

- Glassboro, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jun 011998

Dakota 4WD

  • miles
The seat back of the drivers seat will not remain in an upright position. If the driver leans back to hard or when a small bump in the road is encountered the seat reclining mechinism will not hold and the back will be released to a 45 degree angle.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #4

Jan 282000

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
In a rear end collision driver's seatback broke, causing the driver to fall back, and strike the rear window with his head, breaking the window.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #3

Nov 301999

(reported on)

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Both passenger & driver back rest collapsed while the vehicle was in motion. Dealer has been notified.

- Dededo, Guam, 00, USA

problem #2

Nov 271998

Dakota

  • miles
While vehicle was stopped it was rearended. Had child in extended cab bench seat. The seat collapsed backwards & child's head hit side of cab. The front seats collapsed backwards onto child seated in rear. Child sustained serious injuries from the seat. Both seats fell backwards upon impact. Vehicle was totaled.

- Bowie, TX, USA

problem #1

Dec 101998

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
The latch mechanism on both of the front bucket seats, that allow either the driver's or passenger's seat to recline forward, does not lock when returned to the upright position, resulting in the seats moving forward when stopping in a emergency situation.

- Austin, TX, USA

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