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1998 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1998 Dodge Dakota has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Steering shaft, column, and linkage failure.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1998 Dodge Dakota.

Reported to NHTSA

Steering shaft, column, and linkage failure

STEERING

19 NHTSA complaints · 2004-10 → 2011-08

“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT THE STEERLING LOCKED UP AND WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD AND INTO A FIELD BEFORE STOPPING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10096378
“LOWER STEERING SHAFT U JOINTS ARE UNPROTECTED AND RUSTED OUT CAUSING STICKY STEERING AND DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE IN A TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10416997
“STEERING COLUMN STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AS THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. DEALER STATED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISM WAS FAILING AND COULD EASILY LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC AND SUDDEN LOCKING OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10141993

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission and rear axle or differential failure

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2004-07 → 2005-12

“WE WERE JUST DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT (A COUPLE OF JERKS AND THEN NO ACCELERATION ABILITY)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10144516
“CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ONGOING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR 3 YEARS WHICH BECAME WORSE WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10099932
“WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10091848

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Clear coat paint flaking and frame or body corrosion

STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2004-04 → 2014-09

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THE FRAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10632123
“I OWN A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 4X4 5.2L V-8 W/125K MILES, IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THE ONCE SHINY BLACK PAINT IS FLAKING OFF IN LARGE AREAS ON THE ROOF, THE FLAKING/PEELING HAS NOW BEGUN TO START ON THE TOP OF THE DOORS AND THE BED RAILS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10066004
“OUR TRUCK'S PAINT IS FLAKING. WE WANT DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO RE-PAINT OUR TRUCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10159340

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight and exterior lighting circuit failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2013-09 → 2018-02

“HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER AND TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER DRIVING OR AT A STAND STILL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10544547
“THE TRUCK HAS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON OUT OF NO WHERE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN VERY DARK TWO LANE ROAD AND LIGHTS GO OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10948781
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11074988

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Upper and lower ball joint and wheel bearing failure

SUSPENSION

109 NHTSA complaints · 2004-03 → 2014-08

“ALL 4 FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 86,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10121987
“WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE BEARING MAKING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10116304
“WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. AS A RESULT, FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF, AND THE FRONT END COLLAPSED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10103852

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hydraulic brake line corrosion and rupture

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

22 NHTSA complaints · 2004-08 → 2023-10

“The contact owned a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 25 MPH and attempting to slow the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11549219
“APPROACHING STOP LIGHT WHEN HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY RUPTURED CAUSING A CONDITION OF NO BRAKES AND IMPACT WITH VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10460291
“SERVICE BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINES RUPTURED TWICE. ONCE AT 55,622 MILES ON AUGUST 13, 2007”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10317151

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unexpected engine stall and cooling system failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

17 NHTSA complaints · 2004-03 → 2019-02

“ENGINE MYSTERIOUSLY DIES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT MAY HAPPEN AT IDLE ALL THE WAY TO AND INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11182413
“WARM WEATHER CAUSES 98 DODGE DAKOTA 3.9 ENGINE TO STALL AT ANY SPEED, ANYTIME. ENGINE COMPLETELY DIES AND TAKES 20 TO 30 MIN FOR ENGINE TO COOL WHILE OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10278472
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10396816

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2009-01 → 2012-01

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10443326
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10256998

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

284 crashes 1990–2024

How the 284 occupant deaths break down

225

driver deaths

58

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

284

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1998 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

45

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1998 Dodge Dakota reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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