Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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.
1 Safety recall found,Reprogram Pcm and inspect Catalytic Converter.I never got a recall notice in the mail just happen to go on line and find it.My engine light,Anti -brake light and emergency light stays on.My speedometer and odometer quit working.I took my truck to the Dodge dealership and they said the parts are discontinued and they cannot get them but they did do a inspection and said everything was ok.I still have the same problems and I am concerned about my safety and the safety of others involved while I am driving my truck.
The emine will die amytime! Going around cormers lor on expressway sitting in driveway idling. My family has had this vehicle sine 1999. This just started 6 months ago. Up until then it never happened. Replaced several sensors (tps,iac,map,coolant temp and also computer)so far nothing fixes it. I know Dodge knows about this and so do you!!! Something needs to be done there are too many Dakota/durangos on the road I am surprised no one has died or at very least been hurt badly. I know it goes on in earlier dakotas and later of both not sure if it ever was fixed since old bodystyle ended in 2004. Happwned first time about feb.1,2018. Afraid to drive it for fear of dying or badly hurt because it dies anywhere anytime including rush hour trffic in tulsa OK
My truck has a bad PCM I have it rebuilt 3 times and the same problem will start once then will not start put a PCM in from a 8cyl runs all day not well because its from 8cyl everything has been replaced and still will not start I have seen a lot of this same thing on line this is my first Dodge nd it will be my last and all of this is from the Dodge dealer
Engine mysteriously dies for no apparent reason. It May happen at idle all the way to and including highway speeds. Dry weather or wet weather. Cold weather or hot weather. Cold engine or warm engine. No pattern detected. It doesn't splutter -- it just dies as if the ignition key has been turned off, and it throws no code.
I have recently noticed my catalytic converter making ticking noise again, my extended warranty has just recently expired too. This part had been replaced at 22000 miles. Now just less than 2 years later I am running into the same delema. I have spoke to several auto mechanics and they all say that this must be a defected part. When I notified my Dodge dealer, he stated because the warranty had expired, I will have the burden of paying all the cost. Yet again this is the second time in a truck that was purchased brand new less than 4 years ago. I feel that after reading other complaints and talking to several other Dodge ownershaving the same problem, that the part is a defect. Above all, Dodge doesn't seem to stand behind their product. They were rude and would not budge to satisfy their customers. …
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. …
I have a 1998 Dodge Dakota. I bought it with 11,000 miles on it. During my warranty at about 20,000, the truck would backfire when shifting up a gear.towson Dodge had my truck for a day and said that they couldn't duplicate the circumstances and it cost me $75 anyway. Around 45,000 miles my truck was running real poor with no power. The catylitic converter clogged up so bad the truck stopped running. The Goodyear place where I took it, carney tire, didn't tell me of the federal warrenty on converters and replaced it and the muffler for a few hundred dollars. After my learning of the warrenty, carney tire refused to refund 50% as suggested by the Chrysler rep. On the phone. Now at 80,000 miles the muffler rusted enought to loose the tailpipe, which now resides in my driveway. This is totally unexceptable for this truck. …
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. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who suggested that the air idle control solenoid be replaced. The contact replaced the idle control solenoid but that did not remedy the issue. The vehicle continued to shut off without warning at 50 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the problem. The contact stated the vehicle is unsafe to drive and the dealer needed to diagnose the failure. The contact also noticed online that the ECM needed to be replaced but the dealer did not performed a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was 114,000.
Engine complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 12% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Dakota engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1998 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 1998 Dodge Dakota engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.