Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Going down the road at 55 MPH and all of a sudden I hit a pothole and the passenger side tire came right off , it is the same problem as the 2000 - 2003's have. We have pictures of it to prove it . The upper and lower ball joints let loose the cv shaft pulled out and the shock got bent. The tire turned on its side while the truck was sliding down the road sideways and I was unable to control how the truck was going. The only thing holding the tire on the truck was the brake line. The tire rim had chunks taken out of it and the tire had wear from being on its side under the frame of the truck while it was sliding. We had to get it flatbedded to the repair shop . …
The transmission will not engauge after being in reverse for a period of a miniute or more this has happened 14 + times. The dealer said they could find nothing wrong. I took a vidio tape to the service manager at gurley leep that clearly shows it in drive with the shift in drive with the tackometer rising and falling then slaming into gear. The service manager said it was out of his hands because Chrysler would not pay for it . It was between me and Chrysler. I personally wonder if the district representitive isnt waiting for it to fail under the extended warrenty so someone else can pick up the repair tab. It violently slams into gear when put in drive throwing you back in the seat and slamming the powertrain in engaugement. …
Transmission failure at 50,000 miles. Transmission began to bog down while driving about 40 MPH. After about 5 minutes it would only go about 5 MPH while reving about 3500 RPM. Paid for tow to Dodge dealer in hampton va for analysis and repair. Tow operator remarked almost all Dodge dakotas towed for tranny work ended up costing $2300-$2900 for a replacement. I was lucky and only had to replace all pressure regulating valves for about $670 (funny how they all went bad at the same time but I would not argue the point since the parts were cheap compared to doing it over in a few months). Dealer indicated this was a years old problem which was common to replace these transmissions and that my $600 repair was not guaranteed to prevent total failure. Dodge has not agreed to any recall to fix but should do this. Therefore, I will never own another Dodge or Chrysler of any sort. …
Truck was in park, with the parking brake engaged, and refused to start. After twenty minutes it finally started. I stepped out too close the hood, and the vehicle started moving in reverse. It struck a part of the parking stucture, bending the hinges and missaligning the drivers door. From that point on the truck will not start in park, and you must "find the neutral starting point, somewhere between neutral and reverse. Today, 12-15-98 I had to have it towed to the dealer to be repaired because apparently the problem has gotten worse, and now there is no neutral to start the truck in !
My ball joints and tie rods were going bad at 54,000 miles. Dodge would not do anything about the problem. Also, my transmission started to go bad at 74,000 miles. 2nd gear went out, then it went completely out at 91,000 miles. Obviously Dodge wasn't going to do anything about it. I wont buy another Dodge again.
My two year old successfully placed keys into ignition and turned to on. Then without the requirement of depressing the brake he was able to place transmission into neutral. My truck rolled backward approximately 150 yards and crashed into tree. Total damage of $3500, luckily no one seriously injured.
The universal joint on the steering column totally failed causing the steering wheel to "free-wheel" the vehicle veered out of control sideswiping two parked cars. This is a critical failure; if it ocurred at highway speed it could have caused several fatalities!!.
Without warning, just after exiting a freeway, the rear wheels of my 1997 Dodge Dakota truck, locked up. I was stuck in traffic and was not able to move. Tow truck arrived , and advised that the rear axle had locked-up. This truck has only 52,423 miles.
I have two recurring problems. 1) I had the truck in 3 separate times for rattling noise in the engine compartment. The dealer, so far, replaced the timing chain and fan clutch, both under warranty. Once again, the engine is making the same rattling noise. This noise started around 58,000 miles. Also, my engine currently has an oil leak. The dealer claims it is the front seal. The dealer broke this seal when the timing chain was replaced. The dealer refuses to pay for the seal repair. 2) I had the truck in 3 times for another rattling noise in the A/C (interior). The dealer claimed the noise was normal. The fourth visit and conversation with manager proved that the noise, in fact, was not normal. The dealer replaced the compressor. At the current mileage, the A/C is once again making the same noise. In summary, the engine is producing a rattling noise. …
On 2/27/2000 I filed a complaint with NHTSA. My problem being my transmissiom will not engage properly. When it is shifted from park to drive the vechicle May hesitate and not move then violently slam into gear. On one occasion my neice setting in the back seat head was slammed into the rear window glass as the vechicle lurched forward. I have a video tape of the transmission failing to properly engauge. I was able to reach in the back seat take the camera out of the case insert the battery film and shoot a video of the truck setting in gear then violently lurching forward. The dealer service manager said on the service order "cannot duplicate sitition. I showed him the video and he admitted I have a problem but he couldnt help me because Chrysler would not reimburse him.
Transmission complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Dodge Dakota, 10% of the model year's 446 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Dakota transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1997 Dodge Dakota, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Dakota transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.