Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. As a result, the vehicle careened off the roadway and into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The occupants were all transported to an area hospital by EMT for treatment. The driver was treated for chest pain caused by the steering wheel; the contact was treated for a broken arm; the oldest rear seat occupant was treated for a facial injury, losing two front teeth; and the youngest rear seat occupant was treated for a concussion. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. …
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. During the failure, there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal a clicking noise was present and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 210,000.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 32 MPH when he attempted to stop but the brakes failed; as a result, the vehicle rear ended the vehicle in front. The contact experienced the brake failure several times. The local repair shop replaced the calipers and brake pads five times. The vehicle was taken back to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the ABS could be the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired again. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000 and the current mileage was 58,882.
This car has been a safety nightmare. From steel brake lines rusting through (and the vehicle losing it brakes), to upper ball joints almost separating to steering wheel drive shafts where the u-joints almost separated. These are not items that should fail like this. I spent part of my career looking after global product liability for cummins engine and I am stunned at the poor quality Chrysler has used in critical components.
While driving a combine was approaching in on coming lane taking up part of my lane, applied brakes and pedal hit the floor (no brakes). I had to go off road to avoid accident. Upon inspection found brake lines rusted through. Repaired and while bleeding lines had another rusted area rupture due to rust ( 4 areas so far). Fearful to drive until all lines replaced......but too costly!
My husband and I own a 1998 Dodge Dakota, VIN [redacted]. 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. …
Engine experiences rough and low idle, and stalling, dealer has replaced throttle body, manifold gaskets, and valve body, however stalling still exists, dealer stated the combination of stopping, shifting, and the turning of the steering wheel causes the engine to stall, there was also an oil pan leak and coolant leak, purge solenoid was also noisy. Reverse lights had a defective switch and the headlights had a defective switch. Exhaust was noisy and the exhaust bolts were broken. Moldings were leaking, dealer had to also replace carpet. Brakes locked up, dealer found they were full of brake dust, front rotors gouged, dealer replaced brakes and rotors. Steering gear box and power steering gear assembly both leaked. …
Service brake hydraulic lines ruptured twice. Once at 55,622 miles on August 13, 2007. This occurred in my driveway, when the brakes were applied, about mid way between the front and rear of the truck on the drivers side. The dealer replaced 7 brake lines and the 2 rear wheel cylinders because the bleeder screws would not open. Today, March 5, 2010 at still less than 60,000 miles the front brake lines ruptured near the radiator where they cross between the drivers and passengers side of the truck. This occurred on a main highway while braking for a red light. Both times the tubing (metal piping) catastrophically failed with no previous warning signs such as slow leakage, low fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir, etc.
The master cylinder brake line on my 1998 Dodge Dakota truck failed completely and suddenly under normal driving conditions (light braking). Upon inspection, all front brake lines from the master cylinder to the distribution junction and from the distribution junction to the front brakes (left and right) were heavily corroded. Last winter, the brake line leading from the distribution junction to the rear brakes failed under similar circumstances, however; some braking ability remained. These two failures over a relatively short time-frame lead me to believe it May be a manufacturing defect with all metal brake lines.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact started the vehicle and the brake pedal extended to the floor. The vehicle coasted across the parking lot before the contact could apply the emergency brake. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and they stated that the brake lines were corroded and needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced at least three lines and informed the contact that others May need to be replaced at a later date. The failure and current mileages were 89,249. Updated 09/15/08 update 09/24/08.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Some vehicles May have been built with inadequate clearance between the rear axle vent hose and the brake hose.
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…
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.
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.
Brake complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 15% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Dakota brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-193 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jul 17, 2000); NHTSA recall 00V-198 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jul 17, 2000); NHTSA recall 97V-170 (control unit/module, Oct 7, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Dakota brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries and 3 deaths to brakes 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.