What's Wrong with the 2nd Generation (1997–2004) Dakota?

Dakota owners have made 606 complaints about the 1997–2004 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 37th out of 54 Dodge generations in overall reliability, with some brakes and engine concerns.

Compare With Other Dakota Generations

Common 1997-2004 Dodge Dakota Problems

Some of the worst issues 2nd generation Dakota owners have to deal with.

  1. Cracked Dashboards

    Is your Dodge dashboard falling apart and breaking into pieces? Have you been watching the cracks grow bigger and bigger with each passing month? Do you feel helpless as your dashboard caves in on itself? Trust me, you're not alone.

    Continue reading article "Cracked Dashboards" A common example of a Dodge Ram dashboard

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

2nd Generation (1997–2004) Dakota Key Numbers

  1. 8 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 606 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 37th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 54 eligible generations.

Recent 2nd Generation (1997–2004) Dakota News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. J

    ust a few days after switching its name, FCA US is issuing a massive recall for 3.3 million older vehicles with Takata airbag inflators.** The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been not-so-subtly suggesting automakers ditch regional recalls and expand nationwide. It looks like FCA US has listened.

    FCA US says it's aware of one injury related to exploding Takata airbag inflators, but that incident occurred in Florida. The automaker said there have been no other reports of accidents or injuries. In addition, FCA US says over 1,000 laboratory tests have been conducted on airbag inflators but no problems were discovered.

    The recalled vehicles include the 2004-2007 Dodge Ram 1500 / 2500 / 3500 / 3500 Chassis Cab, Durango, Charger, Magnum, and Dakota.

    keep reading article "Regional Recall Issued for Takata Airbag Inflators"

  2. Dodge is part of a new recall of Takata airbag inflators in over 350,000 vehicles.

    The recall is currently limited to areas of high humidity, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    Chrysler says the vehicles have passenger frontal airbag inflators that are different from other metal Takata inflators used by other automakers. Chrysler says it has received no reports of accidents or injuries and even after laboratory tests on 600 inflators, none of the inflators were defective.

    Recall notices should be sent out around January 15th of next year.

    keep reading article "Regional Recall Issued for Takata Airbag Inflators"