RoadVitals

1998 Dodge Dakota Airbags Problems

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

Data refreshed

Airbags 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.
32
Latest Jan 10, 2012
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.
6%
of 545 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.
20
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
19

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Dodge Dakota submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 32 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 airbag

The 25 most recent of 32, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jan 10, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 02/01/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE INTERMITTENT BEHAVIOR WOULD OCCUR AT IDLE, WHEN COLD, HOT, ALL SPEEDS AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, CHRYSLER DENIED A RECALL EXISTED. THE CONSUMER PAID $1,243 FOR THE REPAIR, WHICH INCLUDED A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 02/10/12

NHTSA ID
10443326
Incident
Sep 7, 2011
Mileage
150,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Jan 30, 2009
Crash reported2 injuries reported

ME AND A FRIEND WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT .WHEN WE LOST CONTROL OF MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA AND HIT THE SIDE OF A BUILDING AT 40-45 MPH WHEN WE HIT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UP LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO IN RESULT WE BOUNCED OR FACES AND HEADS OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH BOARD AND NOW HAVING HEAD NECK AND BACK PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256998
Incident
Jan 26, 2009
Mileage
134,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 28, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE BROUGHT IN TO BE PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,069 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,900.

NHTSA ID
10222574
Incident
Mar 26, 2008
Mileage
135,900 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 1, 2003

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD AND STAYED ON. THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. THE CONSUMER SAW RECALL 01V-153000 WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING DEALER THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE RECALL, BUT IT HAS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR COST OF REPAIRS. *JB *CB

NHTSA ID
10020260
Incident
Feb 12, 2003
Mileage
58,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 14, 2003

A CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS I DRIVE. A MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG. HE SAID IT COULD MALFUNCTION IN AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE YET COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10026070
Incident
Jul 14, 2003
Mileage
62,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 14, 2003
2 injuries reported

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON. SCC

NHTSA ID
565450
Incident
Dec 11, 2001
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 2003

PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG HAD BEEN REMOVED, DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM CONSUMER BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *JB..*AK

NHTSA ID
10009364
Incident
Sep 12, 2002
Mileage
36,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 3, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A TRACTOR-TRAILER. I HIT THE TRAILER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA ID
765151
Incident
Jul 11, 2002
Airbags
Filed May 28, 2002
Crash reported

CONSUMER RAN A STOP SIGN AT 30 TO 35 MPH, T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE, FULL FRONTAL INPACT, AND NONE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010514
Incident
May 11, 2002
Airbags
Filed Apr 12, 2002
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER TURNED THE HEAT ON AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE DRIVER WAS INJURED, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE, THE DEALER IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST CONSUMER IN REPAIRS OR MEDICAL BILLS. *SLC

NHTSA ID
565054
Incident
Dec 11, 2001
Airbags
Filed Mar 28, 2002
2 injuries reported

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, SHE TURNED THE HEAT ON, AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUSED INJURY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM *YD

NHTSA ID
8006617
Incident
Dec 11, 2001
Airbags
Filed Jan 29, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 20MPH APLLIED BRAKES, RUBBER CAME OFF BRAKES AND FOOT SLIPPED ON GAS, AND ACCELERATED VEHICLE, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AIRBAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
8003111
Incident
Jan 7, 2002
Airbags
Filed Aug 15, 2001

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 01V153000982 BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
894449
Incident
Aug 1, 2001
Airbags
Filed Jun 6, 2001
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A CHEVROLET, CELEBRITY AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
889926
Incident
May 15, 2001
Airbags
Filed Feb 22, 2001
Crash reported

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
881097
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Oct 24, 2000
Crash reported

CONSUMER TOOK VECHICLE IN FOR A RECALL ON REAR BRAKES HOSE AND REPOSITION AXLE HOSE, WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUIMER RAN INTO A ROCK, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

NHTSA ID
873744
Incident
Jul 24, 2000
Airbags
Filed Sep 5, 2000
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ENDING ON HEAD FIRST COLLISION WHERE NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ID
869616
Incident
Aug 29, 2000
Airbags
Filed Aug 31, 2000
Crash reported2 injuries reported

VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN IT WAS IMPACTED BY A MID SIZE GM AUTO TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME SPEED. IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE EXTENDED FROM THE FRONT GRILL AREA TO THE LEFT SIDE ENDING AT THE DRIVER DOOR. EXTENSIVE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FRONT DRIVELINE DAMAGE OCCURED. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID
729638
Incident
Aug 29, 2000
Airbags
Filed Jun 26, 2000

FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON OR IMPACT. FIRST TIME AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AT A SLOW PACE. SECOND TIME VEHICLE WAS GOING OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER REPLACED AIRBAGS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. BUT, AFTER THE SECOND TIME, DEALER WANTED CONSUMER TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK

NHTSA ID
864265
Incident
Feb 20, 1999
Airbags
Filed May 18, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING A DRUNKEN DRIVER HIT CONSUMER ON DRIVER'S SIDE, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ID
862124
Incident
May 13, 2000
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A UTILITY POLE (PASSENGER WENT FORWARD STRIKING RIGHT TEMPLE OF HER HEAD ON THE REARVIEW RESULTING IN FATAL INJURY TO PASSENGER). NLM

NHTSA ID
552199
Incident
Oct 24, 1999
Airbags
Filed May 8, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTALCOLLISION AT 70 MPH, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
861605
Incident
Apr 23, 2000
Airbags
Filed Apr 24, 2000
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE ROUTE, TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT.UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED THE DEALER . *AK

NHTSA ID
860812
Incident
Apr 21, 2000
Airbags
Filed Mar 3, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60-65 MPH BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. VEHICLE DID NOT HIT OR BUMP ANYTHING. CONDITION ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
857916
Incident
Feb 28, 2000
AirbagsEngineSteering+2 more
Filed Mar 2, 2000
Crash reported

1. FRONT CRANK SEAL LEAKING AT FIRST OIL CHANGE, DEALER FINALLY REPLACED. 2. LEAKING FRONT RIGHT SHOCK ABSORBER NOTICED AT FIRST OIL CHANGE. DEALER REPLACED BOTH AT OWNERS REQUEST. 3. THERE IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS WHEN THE VEHICILE IS IN MOTION AND YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK TO LOCK. THE SOUND IS MADE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. 4. WATER LEAK THROUGH BACK SLIDER WINDOW RESULTED IN TWO NEW CARPET/PAD ASSEMBLIES TO INSTALLED. DEALER FINALLY FIXED AFTER 4TH VISIT AND THREAT OF FILING FOR LEMON LAW PROTECTION. 5. DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AT 25 MPH IN A FRONT END COLLISION.

NHTSA ID
719598
Incident
Apr 5, 1998

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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .