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 1999 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota with 160000 miles. The failure started when the contact lost control by engaging the radio button and the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel. The air bag light also came on. The vehicle was self diagnosed and the failure was due to the clock spring. The contact stated that recall 01V153000 air bags was related to the failure. A new clock spring was put into the vehicle. The part number to the new clock spring was 56045456ag. The part number for the defective part was 56045456ad. The contact had a previous crash where the original clock spring was replaced with the defective one. The manufacturer was called about the failure but they could not tell the contact the part number of the original clock spring. The contact feels that they put the defective part in his vehicle after the vehicle was repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while traveling 30 MPH, he crashed into the rear passenger's side door of another vehicle. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The contact received injuries to the chest and left side of the body. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 01V153000 (air bags) for the clock spring assembly, but the manufacturer advised that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The contact stated he was the original owner and never received a recall notification. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota club cab. The contact stated that the vehicle was in a head on collision and the air bag did not deploy. The contact was traveling 20 MPH at the time of the incident. The vehicle was towed to a garage and the insurance company will pick up the vehicle. The contact was injured in the accident and is still recovering. The contact stated that they never had problems with the air bags prior to the incident. The system did not accept the VIN at the time of the complaint.the failure mileage and current mileage was 51000.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision while driving between 40-45 MPH. The other vehicle was driving between 30-40 MPH, when it suddenly pulled out in front of consumer's vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained forehead/ arm/wrist, and elbow injuries when impacting the steering wheel. Also, seat belt failed to retract, causing the driver to pull a muscle in lower back. The vehicle was totaled. Police report available.
Around 03/04/2008 I was driving through a credit union parking lot and hit a sheet of ice I engaged my brakes to slow down, but my anti-lock brakes did not work and I slid 25' into an SUV causing some costly damage to both vehicles. Both vehicles were disabled and had to be towed. Also,the airbags on my vehicle did not engage and fortunately I only sustained a minor head injury.
Had just started vehicle and it was moving when another vehicle hit the right center of consumer's vehicle. Upon impact, dual air bags failed to deploy. Had contacted dealership to have mechanic check air bags non-deployment.
I was involved in a three vehicle collision with myself being in the middle of two other pickup trucks. The truck in front of me had a trailer hitch on the back causing all of the impact to be in the middle of my front end resulting in a u-shaped indentation going back into the engine of my truck. The collision was on an interstate and we were moving at approx. 50mph slowing due to the vehicle in front stopping suddenly. I struck the vehicle in front, bounced backward, then was struck in the rear very hard pushing me back into the front vehicle. Neither the drivers or passengers airbags in my vehicle deployed. Later speaking with the accident appraiser he stated that the airbag sensors are located on the left and right side of the front bumper and not in the middle. …
Every time I used the lighter the fuse would blow, my radio would fail and I would have troubles with my wipers. I checked all fuses and didn't find a problem. All of a sudden my headlights will go out and once in a while if I click my high beams on and off the driving headlights will eventually come back on. I was in northern maine and I lost my power steering. I had to walk through the woods to a cabin I could see had its house light on and knock on the door for help. Once my truck was freed from being stuck I had to drive 3 miles back to the mountain w/no power steering. When I brought it to the local dealer they showed me that there was some long silver rod like thing, which had just broken in half!! I didn't think anything of it because it was still covered under warranty. A while later, my brake system had to be replaced at a cost of $800. …
Consumer was traveling about 25mph on a residential street. She was bending down to pick up something from the floor while vehicle was still traveling and hit a brick fence. Upon impact, front airbags didn't go off. When the consumer was traveling about 25-30 MPH on residential street. The truck in front of consumer lost object from back of his truck. Consumer swerved to miss and hit a parked car. Upon impact airbags didn't go off. Consumer stated that A/C was inoperative, transmission was not shifting correctly, engine leaks oil from oil pan area, thermostat leaks, the intake manifold gasket was leaking.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the contact stated that the air bag light illuminated and stayed on. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was informed about recall 01V153000 (air bags). Both the dealer and manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included. The failure began August 2009 and had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000 and the current mileage was approximately 225,000.
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,…
Airbag complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Dodge Dakota, 5% of the model year's 641 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Dakota airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-153 (air bags, May 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Dakota airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 117,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 29 crashes, 0 fires and 13 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.