RoadVitals

1997 Dodge Dakota Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
14
Latest Dec 10, 2004
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.
3%
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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. 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. 14 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 powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Dec 10, 2004

GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HIT A POTHOLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAME RIGHT OFF , IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2000 - 2003'S HAVE. WE HAVE PICTURES OF IT TO PROVE IT . THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS LET LOOSE THE CV SHAFT PULLED OUT AND THE SHOCK GOT BENT. THE TIRE TURNED ON ITS SIDE WHILE THE TRUCK WAS SLIDING DOWN THE ROAD SIDEWAYS AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL HOW THE TRUCK WAS GOING. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TIRE ON THE TRUCK WAS THE BRAKE LINE. THE TIRE RIM HAD CHUNKS TAKEN OUT OF IT AND THE TIRE HAD WEAR FROM BEING ON ITS SIDE UNDER THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WHILE IT WAS SLIDING. WE HAD TO GET IT FLATBEDDED TO THE REPAIR SHOP . WE HAD A CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOP DO ALL THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THE TRUCK TO WHICH INCLUDED NEW UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS,NEW CV SHAFT, NEW RIM ADN TIRE , NEW SHOCK , AXLE ASSEMBLY,BRAKE HOSE , STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE,INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT.THIS TRUCK HAD JUST BEEN THROUGH A NYS INSPECTION IN DECEMBER 2003 AND PASSED. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 25, 2004 WHICH LEFT US WITHOUT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY WE GOT THE TRUCK BACK ON NOVEMBER 10 , 2004. WE FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR BILL FOR THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY ARE ADMITTING THERE IS A PROBLEM THE SAME AS THIS TO THE NEWER MODELS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10102620
Incident
Oct 25, 2004
Mileage
94,255 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 11, 2004

PREMATURE FAILURE OF BALL JOINTS & LOWER STEERING COLUMN U-JOINTS. UPPER BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061899
Incident
Sep 10, 2000
Mileage
50,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 16, 2003

WITHOUT WARNING, JUST AFTER EXITING A FREEWAY, THE REAR WHEELS OF MY 1997 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK, LOCKED UP. I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE. TOW TRUCK ARRIVED , AND ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD LOCKED-UP. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 52,423 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10028366
Incident
Jul 6, 2003
Mileage
52,423 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 15, 2003

CLANKING NOISE IN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. AXLE SEAL BROKE, REPLACED, 3 WEEKS LATER NOISE AGAIN BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PH

NHTSA ID
10007548
Incident
Dec 28, 2002
Mileage
53,980 mi
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 2002

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING ERRATICALLY, TE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACE 3 COMPUTER MODULES (CENTER TIMER MODULE, PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD MODULE AND AIRBAG MODULE), THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THROUGH THE INTERNET THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE CURRENT RECALL DID NOT FIT THE MECHANICAL SYMPTOMS HIS TRUCK WAS EXPERIENCING. *JG *NLM

NHTSA ID
568315
Incident
Aug 30, 2002
Mileage
48,065 mi
Driver assistanceInterior & seatsPowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Jul 14, 2002

SPEEDOMETOR AND CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING REPLACED SPEED SENSOR PER DEALER AND STILL NOT WORKING. ALSO SEAT DOESN'T LOCK IN UPRIGHT POSITION ON DRIVERS SIDE. TRANSFER CASE SEAL WENT OUT AND HAD TO REPLACE TRANSFER CASE. I HATE THIS TRUCK AND I COULDN'T GIVE IT AWAY. *AK

NHTSA ID
764224
Incident
May 3, 2002
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 15, 2001
Crash reported

THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE STEERING COLUMN TOTALLY FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO "FREE-WHEEL" THE VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF CONTROL SIDESWIPING TWO PARKED CARS. THIS IS A CRITICAL FAILURE; IF IT OCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SEVERAL FATALITIES!!. *AK

NHTSA ID
746888
Incident
Jun 14, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 3, 2000

LOUD WHINING BETWEEN 45 TO 50 MPH, REPLACED DIFFERENTAL RING AND PINION GEAR, TO NO AVAIL.

NHTSA ID
9001175
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed May 2, 2000

DUE TO DEFECTIVE DRIVESHAFT WHICH WAS OUT OF BALANCE BY 31/2 OUNCE, DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
861266
Incident
May 1, 2000
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 22, 2000

I HAVE TWO RECURRING PROBLEMS. 1) I HAD THE TRUCK IN 3 SEPARATE TIMES FOR RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER, SO FAR, REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND FAN CLUTCH, BOTH UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE AGAIN, THE ENGINE IS MAKING THE SAME RATTLING NOISE. THIS NOISE STARTED AROUND 58,000 MILES. ALSO, MY ENGINE CURRENTLY HAS AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS THE FRONT SEAL. THE DEALER BROKE THIS SEAL WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE SEAL REPAIR. 2) I HAD THE TRUCK IN 3 TIMES FOR ANOTHER RATTLING NOISE IN THE A/C (INTERIOR). THE DEALER CLAIMED THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE FOURTH VISIT AND CONVERSATION WITH MANAGER PROVED THAT THE NOISE, IN FACT, WAS NOT NORMAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR. AT THE CURRENT MILEAGE, THE A/C IS ONCE AGAIN MAKING THE SAME NOISE. IN SUMMARY, THE ENGINE IS PRODUCING A RATTLING NOISE. THE A/C IS ALSO PRODUCING A RATTLING NOISE (BOTH ITEMS ARE SEPARATE NOISES AS VALIDATED BY THE DEALERSHIP). *AK

NHTSA ID
720489
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 22, 1999

BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION PAN FILLED WITH METAL FLAKES RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. MJS

NHTSA ID
549155
Incident
Aug 30, 1999
BrakesFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 23, 1999

I FEEL THAT WHEEL BEARING/ FUEL PUMPS AND BRAKE ROTORS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ALL BE REPLACED AT COST TO ME IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS/38,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. SEVERAL OF THESE PARTS COULD CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD SUCH AS A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ID
706779
Incident
May 12, 1999
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 12, 1999

FUEL PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA ID
543344
Incident
Feb 15, 1998
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Oct 24, 1997

ENGINE STALLS.

NHTSA ID
523783
Incident
Jun 15, 1997

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .