NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Visibility complaints
19 reportsClear category filter89,000 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HEATER, HE SMELLED ANTIFREEZE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKS. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE OVERFLOW FOR THE ANTIFREEZE WAS EMPTY; HOWEVER, ANTIFREEZE WAS STILL PRESENT IN THE RADIATOR. THE CONTACT PERFORMS HIS OWN REPAIR WOR…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HEATER, HE SMELLED ANTIFREEZE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKS. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE OVERFLOW FOR THE ANTIFREEZE WAS EMPTY; HOWEVER, ANTIFREEZE WAS STILL PRESENT IN THE RADIATOR. THE CONTACT PERFORMS HIS OWN REPAIR WORK AND STATED THAT THE HEATER CORES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING INTO THE HEATER BOX, WHEN THE HEATER WAS ON. UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10256348
92,000 miles · Feb 8, 2005
Visibility
HEATER CORE FAILED - NOW I HAVE NO DEFROSTER AND ANTI FREEZE LEAKED ALL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPETING CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO VACATE THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10110080
75,000 miles · Jan 16, 2005
Visibility
FAN BLOWER GOING ON AND OFF. NO DEFROST ,HEAT,AC AVAILABLE WHEN BLOWER IS OFF. SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A 1998 DAKOTA. EVERYONE IS SAYING THE PROBLEM IS A RESISTOR, WHICH IS HARD TO GET TO. SEEMS AS IF THE WHOLE DASH HAS TO COME OFF TO GET TO THIS AREA. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $85. FOR DI…
Read full complaint
FAN BLOWER GOING ON AND OFF. NO DEFROST ,HEAT,AC AVAILABLE WHEN BLOWER IS OFF. SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A 1998 DAKOTA. EVERYONE IS SAYING THE PROBLEM IS A RESISTOR, WHICH IS HARD TO GET TO. SEEMS AS IF THE WHOLE DASH HAS TO COME OFF TO GET TO THIS AREA. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $85. FOR DIAGNOSTIC. CLOSE TO $200-$300 PROBLEM FOR ONLY A $9-$12 PART. SAD JUST ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR THE DODGE LOVERS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10106426
96,300 miles · Dec 29, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA, VIN [XXX]. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BEGINNING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR LEASE. DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $9,000 ON VEHICLE REPAIRS INCLUDING A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, NEW STARTER, NEW WHEEL BARING, NEW BRAKE CALIPER, NEW HEATER …
Read full complaint
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA, VIN [XXX]. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BEGINNING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR LEASE. DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $9,000 ON VEHICLE REPAIRS INCLUDING A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, NEW STARTER, NEW WHEEL BARING, NEW BRAKE CALIPER, NEW HEATER CORE AND NEW WATER PUMP. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND TWO O2 SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. WHILE THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND INCONVENIENT, NONE OF THEM HAS POSED A SAFETY CONCERN PER SE. I AM WRITING NOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR MOST RECENT VEHICLE FAILURE WHICH MOST CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2004, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HIS FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BROKE OFF FROM THE AXLE. THE TIRE FELL ON ITS SIDE AND THE TRUCK LANDED ON THE TIRE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE TRUCK SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. MY HUSBAND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. WHEN WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO OUR MECHANIC, HE FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS NEAR THE BREAKING POINT AS WELL AND REPLACED THAT AXLE AS WELL. WE ARE STILL DRIVING ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES, BUT WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE SHOULD GET AN ALIGNMENT AND PROBABLY HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED AS WELL. WE UNDERSTAND THAT DODGE HAS RECALLED THE 2000-2003 DAKOTAS FOR THIS SAME DEFECT. WE BELIEVE THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. *NM UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10104743
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED MIRROR, CRACK IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND A BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLT. (NAR) *MR THE EVENING THAT THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME HE NOTICED A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AREA WHICH HE DID NOT NOTICE DURING THE TEST DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR AN UNBIASED OPINION. THE DEAL…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED MIRROR, CRACK IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND A BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLT. (NAR) *MR THE EVENING THAT THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME HE NOTICED A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AREA WHICH HE DID NOT NOTICE DURING THE TEST DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR AN UNBIASED OPINION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLT, A CRACK NEAR/ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND A BROKEN MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INITIALLY DECIDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. LATER THE DEALER REFUSED REPAIR STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS IS. *NM *CB
NHTSA ODI #10073402
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2001
Visibility
WHEN DRIVING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NEEDED WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, CAUSING POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER; MECHANIC NOTED A TEMPORARY SOLUTION TO PROBLEM BY TAPPING ON WIPER MOTOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895388
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #739114
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2000
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingSteeringCrash
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 L…
Read full complaint
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 ODI #719598
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 1999
Visibility
ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED. I TRIED TO REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER, BUT IT WAS SO HOT IT BURNED MY FINGERS. THE CIRCUIT BREAKER STAYED HOT AS LONG AS THE IGNITION WAS ON. I HAD TO REMOVE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS PARTIALLY OPEN FOR 2 DAYS. AFTER 2 DAYS, THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO WORK AS NORMAL. DEALER SAYS THERE IS …
Read full complaint
ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED. I TRIED TO REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER, BUT IT WAS SO HOT IT BURNED MY FINGERS. THE CIRCUIT BREAKER STAYED HOT AS LONG AS THE IGNITION WAS ON. I HAD TO REMOVE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS PARTIALLY OPEN FOR 2 DAYS. AFTER 2 DAYS, THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO WORK AS NORMAL. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING BROKEN.
NHTSA ODI #712089
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 1999
Visibility
OVERSIZED OUTSIDE MIRRORS ARE MOUNTED SO HIGH THAT THEY CREATE A SERIOUS BLIND SPOT FOR SHORTER DRIVERS. THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS ROUNDING CORNERS, AT INTERSECTIONS, AND AT NIGHT WHEN THE EYELEVEL MIRROR REFLECTS FOLLOWING HEADLIGHTS. POSSIBLE SOUUTIONS: LOWER THE MOUNTING POSITION OF THE MIRRORS; RAISE THE SEATING POSITION.
NHTSA ODI #708306
Official recalls
5May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH 2.5L ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE FOR WEAR. IF WEAR IS EVIDENT, THE BRAKE TUBE AND/OR POWER STEERING HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. A POWER STEERING STANDOFF BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE FOR EVIDENCE OF WEAR. WORN BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. THE REAR VENT HOSE WILL BE SHORTENED BY 3 INCHES AND A CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ASSURE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AXLE VENT LINE AND BRAKE HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Sep 8, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH BOLTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED. THE BOLTS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE CAB AND THE CORE SUPPORT TO THE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE CAB TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BOLTS WITH PROPERLY HARDENED BOLTS.
Oct 7, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.
Consequence: PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.
Consequence: PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Illustration