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 1998 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 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. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The ball joints have completely worn out and also has a very noisy lifter in the vehicle. The vehicle drifts in and out of lanes at any speed; however, the failure was noticed while driving 10 MPH. The contact has not taken the vehicle to the dealer. He was informed of a recall on the previous year's model, but his VIN was not included. The recall number was unavailable. The current mileage was 93,500 and failure mileage was 82,000. Updated 03/14/08. The shifter didn ot stay in park
I have had numerous problems with my 1998 Dodge Dakota. I purchased it brand new. 2 months after 8/98 purchase date, the transmission went out. The brakes have had to be replaced several times, the map sensor went out while driving down the highway causing the vehicle to shut down. I recently had to replace the lower ball joints. The seat belts come off entirely too easy. All of this and the vehicle only has 39,000 miles on it. I sent arbitration papers to Chrysler twice with no response.
Consumer complained about an ongoing automatic transmission problem for 3 years which became worse within the last 2 weeks. The rpms revved very high when the vehicle went into second gear after accelerating from a complete stop position. When this occurred consumer had to pull off the road immediately and turn the vehicle off. Dealership nor the mechanic could identify what was causing this to occur.
The truck was in the driveway to the house with the engine running and in the "parked" position. Nobody was in the truck and it automatically ran into the garage and ran into the house. It damaged the house, lawnmower, power wheel car and radiator. The truck was then turned off with the transmission still in the "parked" position.
Owner says that the differential went out on the vehicle after only 53,000mi. Vehicle was purchased brand new. Owner took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was broken pieces of disc. Owner feels that what happened was to premature based on the milage of the vehicle. Provide further details.
Ball joints failed, passengers side came loose and the wheel feel off and the transmisson had to be rebuilt due to cheap internal parts. But if you own a 98 Dodge Dakota have your ball joints checked they are a hazard and someone is going to get killed, if they already have not....
Pulled vehicle from garage & left in park. Closed garage door. Turned & vehicle had jumped out of gear into reverse & rolled backwards, hitting center post of garage, resulting in a collision. Vehicle sustained extensive damage. Was to go to arbitration but was canceled.
I heard a clicking noise from the front end and a low pitched growl fromn the rear end. I brought the vehicle into the dealer, who determined that at 35,428 miles theat it needed two upper ball joints and a new differential (rear end) . Vehicle is a 1998 Dodge Dakota 4wd.
Transmission complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 14% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Dakota transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.