Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving 45 MPH in the rain driver lost control of vehicle and hit a utility pole head on. Frontal air bags did not deploy. Both driver and passenger were wearing seat belts. The drivers nose was bruised. Passenger's head hit the windshield. Passenger's face was bruised and windshield cracked.
My husband and I were in a wreck 01/02/06 with his 97 Dodge Dakota slt club cab, we hit 2 deer at 50-55 MPH head on. Our airbags did not deploy. We notified Chrysler about this matter. They sent out a special investigator to go over the truck to see why they did not deploy, we were advised by my husbands insurance company to be present at the time of inspection, we told this to chryslers special investigator. My husband went to the dealership the truck was to be taken to the si didn't show up my husband came home, I called the body shop that had the truck and they informed me that the si had come and looked at the truck there and then was wanting it taken to a local dealership. I told the body shop not to allow the truck to be moved without us present, they went ahead and did it anyway. …
While driving another vehicle veered into consumer's vehicle lane, driver applied the brakes, they did not work and consumer's vehicle crashed into the other vehicle. The left side seat belt came apart. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained head and neck, and knee injuries, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. Vehicle was towed and totaled by insurance company...daimlerchrysler corporation notified consumer that they could not verify any type of seat belt buckle failure and denied consumer's claim. A police report was on file.
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.
Sitting at a stop sign another vehicle made a wide turn and hit consumer's vehicle on driver's side. Upon impact, driver side airbag didn't deploy. Vehicle was towed to body shop for repairs. Didn't contact dealer nor manufacturer.
Consumer was at an intersection waiting for light to change and another vehicle ran red light to switch lanes without looking, and ran into consumer's vehicle. Upon impact, airbags didn't deploy. Dealership is aware of problem.
When traveling 35 MPH consumer was involved in a head-on collsion in which neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed. Consumer has contacted the manufacturer, manufacturer stated this was normal operation.
Vehicle was involved in an accident on an icy road condition, causing the vehicle to impact at a post at approximately 35 MPH, and both air bags failed to deploy. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time.
Consumer was traveling about 35mph on highway and withoutout prior warning a deer ran across the street and was hit by consumer's vehicle. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy. Dealership was aware of problem.
Vehicle was involved in a front end collision at 25 MPH, driver's and passenger 's side airbags did not deploy. Consumer received minor chest injuries from hitting the steering wheel after impact.
Related recalls
Air bags
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.
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,…
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.
Airbag complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Dodge Dakota, 8% of the model year's 446 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Dakota airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-153 (air bags, May 8, 2001); NHTSA recall 97V-080 (sensor/control module-inactive, May 16, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Dakota airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 0 fires and 16 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.