10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,500 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

problem #4

Nov 032004

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 130,000 miles

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

The wire harness that plugs the headlights into the dashboard melted. Also the parking light and the high beams didn't work.

- Chemung, NY, USA

problem #3

Mar 152000

Dakota

  • miles
While driving there was a fire in the engine compartment. A couple of days before the fire, engine check light came on. After the ignition was turned off, on a couple of times, a code 12 was displayed on the instrument panel. A mechanic from the dealership stated that the code meant the battery was disconnected. Vehicle has been totalled.

- Carlin, NV, USA

problem #2

Dec 301999

Dakota 4WD

  • miles
When turning on the truck or driving down the road the instrument cluster goes dead. Dodge dealer has replaced the instument cluster, dash wiring harness and an engine controll module. I have also had to replace the battery because the problem burned it out twice. $2000 and mounting. Another part on order. 5th time to dealer.

- Manito, IL, USA

problem #1

Jul 221997

Dakota

  • miles
Instrument panel goes to zero, /completely out, including speedometer. Driver cannot tell how fast vehicle is traveling. Potential for crash, vehicle with dealer for inspection/repair.

- Pttsburgh, PA, USA

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