RoadVitals

1997 Dodge Dakota Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
73
Latest Feb 23, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 446 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Dodge Dakota submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 73 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 73, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Feb 23, 2018

BRAKE LINE CRODDED, LOSS OF BRAKES IN MOTION IN DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ID
11074563
Incident
Jan 31, 2018
Mileage
184,231 mi
Brakes
Filed May 29, 2015

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 FUEL LINE PART(S) INSTALLED.

NHTSA ID
10722378
Incident
May 29, 2015
Mileage
118,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 19, 2015

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 TIME. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN'T EVEN STOP UNTIL I'M HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. REPLACED ALL THE SENSORS AND STILL DOESN'T WANT TO START AND STAY RUNNING. FUEL PUMP KICKS ON, BUT HAS TO RUN EXTRA HARD TO TRY AND KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10706503
Incident
Sep 26, 2014
Mileage
171,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesSteering
Filed Nov 18, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

LOCKED VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HIGH, STARTED GOING THROUGH FLAT PASTURE, EITHER BRAKES LOCKED UP OR FRONT PUMKIN TURNED UP AND LOCKED FRONT WHEELS UP, LOST CONTROL AND ROLLED ONTO DRIVER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10552659
Incident
Jun 28, 2013
Mileage
190,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 20, 2012

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH. BURST WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY. REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES. *JS

NHTSA ID
10455932
Incident
Apr 11, 2000
Mileage
86,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Mar 29, 2008

THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BOLTS TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA, 4WD. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE DESIGN, THE THREADS THAT HOLD THE BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING STUDS CAN STRIP OUT, THEREBY LEAVING THE CALIPER TO FLOAT ON THE KNUCKLE. UNDER PROLONGED USE, THESE STUDS CAN BACK OUT, LETTING THE CALIPER FALL OFF, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW, ONCE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND TWICE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE THREADS STRIP OUT, AND THE MOUNTING BOSS SECTION IS SO SMALL THAT A LARGER THREAD CANNOT BE RETAPPED WITHOUT DANGER OF BREAKING THE HOLE OUT. AUTO PARTS SUPPLIERS SELL SLIGHTLY OVERSIZE, SELF TAPPING STUDS, BUT THESE DO NOT LAST LONG. THE STEERING KNUCKLE IS A VERY PRICEY PART (ON THE ORDER OF $600 JUST FOR THE PART) AND CONTINUING REPLACEMENT IS COST PROHIBITIVE. MY VEHICLE IS APPARENTLY NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, AS A SEARCH OF SALVAGE YARDS REVEALED NUMEROUS STRIPPED OUT THREADS ON VEHICLES WHERE THE STEERING KNUCKLE WAS ACTUALLY AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10222670
Incident
Mar 12, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Jun 14, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE FEATURE IS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE BEGAN SINCE THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE CALLED THE DEALER, BUT BECAME ILL AND WAS UNABLE TO RETURN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR BEFORE THE THIRTY DAY WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A NEW STATE INSPECTION IN SPITE OF THE BRAKE AND BALL JOINT ISSUES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE FEATURE DISENGAGES WHILE DRIVING AND THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE COMPLETELY WORN, MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE WHEEL HUB WAS REPLACED AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE LINING ON THE REAR AXLE. THE BRAKE CABLES WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 116,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID
10194310
Incident
Apr 2, 2007
Mileage
108,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 22, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE LEAVING HIS DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH IN AN ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID ON THE ENGINE AND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE SHOP MECHANIC STATED THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE RUSTED WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR ORDER STATED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTY AND ANY ONE OF THEM COULD HAVE FAILED. *AK UPDATED 2/13/2007 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10179379
Incident
Jul 17, 2006
Mileage
64,013 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 8, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT' OWNS 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED THAT BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT BRAKE REPAIR FACILITIES, AND BOTH STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON DUE TO THE SENSOR, WHICH MEANT THAT THE ABS WERE TURNED OFF. THE SENSOR WAS LOCATED ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FACILITIES DIDN'T KNOW WHY THE SENSOR WAS FAILING. WHEN THEY INSPECTED THE BRAKES THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IN WET CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE HAD A DIFFICULTY STOPPING, CAUSING IT TO SLIDE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10178068
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
124,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT THREE QUARTERS OF WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND FLUID WAS ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LINES THAT GO TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A SALT BELT STATE. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED NEW PIPING.

NHTSA ID
10163992
Incident
Jul 31, 2006
Mileage
42,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 21, 2005

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE AT 30 MPH BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIRS SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MAIN BRAKE LINE, WHICH LEADS TO THE REAR BRAKES, RUSTED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10115484
Incident
Oct 5, 2004
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Feb 16, 2005

NHTSA RECALLS CAMPAIGN 00V199000 AND 00V193000; DAIMLER ISSUED TWO RECALLS ON THE FUEL TANK AND THE BRAKE HOSES. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN, BUT IT LEAKED FUEL AND HAD TROUBLE BRAKING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10111636
Incident
Nov 8, 2004
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jan 14, 2005

THE VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. *NM THE VEHICLE'S FRONT BRAKES ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL FOR BALLJOINTS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A SERVCE REP THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10111160
Incident
Dec 18, 2002
Mileage
79,795 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 13, 2004

1997 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP WITH 18,000 MILES. NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD. BOTH FRONT BRACK LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED. ONE BURST WHILE DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10090908
Incident
Sep 9, 2004
Mileage
17,850 mi
Brakes
Filed May 4, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER'S SON SEVERELY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND LANDED IN THE FIELD. *PH SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL IN THE MAIL POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE BRAKES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10072111
Incident
Mar 2, 2000
BrakesFuel systemSteering+1 more
Filed Apr 1, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING BOX PROBLEM. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM. *AK CONSUMER IS KEEPING AN EYE ON THE FUEL FILLER TUBE BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO BE RUSTED. ALSO, BRAKE LINE IS ALSO RUSTED. *LA

NHTSA ID
10061197
Mileage
55,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 31, 2004

MY 97 DODGE DAKOTA BRAKES FAILED AND I HAD TO SPEND OVER 1,000 TO REPAIR THEM. CAUSE I WAS TOLD WAS THE PISTONS SIEZED BECAUSE OF BAD PISTONS THAT CHRYSLER KNEW ABOUT.ALSO CLEAR COAT ON PAINT IS PEELING OFF LIKE A FL. ORANGE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10064234
Incident
Dec 13, 2003
Brakes
Filed Mar 25, 2003

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V193000 IN 12/01. HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10012446
Incident
Dec 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jun 3, 2002
Crash reported

AT 40 MPH A DEER CROSSED CONSUMERS PATH, CONSUMER HIT BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.THEN, CONSUMER HIT A TREE. CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010908
Incident
May 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Dec 29, 2001

BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD THEN VERY SOFT (PUSHED TO FLOORBOARD), ABS & BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON. DEALER SAID REPLACE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR & BRAKE MODULE @ COST OF $1425 + TAX. GOT 2ND OPINION @ INDEPENDENT SHOP: CABLE BROKE NEAR SENSOR. SPLICED BREAK/TESTED SYSTEM FOR $56. SYSTEM OK. *AK

NHTSA ID
756164
Incident
Oct 26, 2001
BrakesEngine
Filed Sep 25, 2001

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCAISIONS. BRAKE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES. ABS PULSATION EVEN ON DRY ROADS. FRONT PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED AT APPRX. 40000 MILES. SERVICE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT "DODGE ROTORS DO NOT LAST VERY LONG." ENGINE RATTLE BEGAN ABOUT 30000 MILES. DIAGNOSED AS A HEAT SHIELD RATTELING. SUBSEQUENTLY DIAGNOSED AND A LOOSE TIMING CHAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
752568
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2001

CONSUMER RECEIVED 00V198000 RECALL LETTER. CALLED DEALER, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO COME IN. ONCE THERE, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS FOR THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE, WHEN PARTS WOULD COME IN, THEY WOULD CONTACT CONSUMER. CONSUMER HAS CALLED, AND STILL WAITING ON PARTS THAT WERE ORDERED IN OCTOBER OF 2000. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
890807
Incident
Oct 9, 2000
Brakes
Filed Feb 15, 2001

VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT BACKING PLATE. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND GOING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER , PEDAL BECAME SOFT, AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
880653
Brakes
Filed Nov 27, 2000

CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL TAKE FOR THE RECALL (00V-193) REPAIR. *MJS

NHTSA ID
557932
Brakes
Filed Nov 20, 2000

CONSUMER WAS REFUSED RECALL REPAIR 00V-198 AT THE DEALER BECAUSE TECHNICIAN FOUND AN OPEN INVOICE ON THE COSUMERS VEHICLE. NLM

NHTSA ID
557734

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .