1997 Dodge Dakota Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 8%of 446 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Dodge Dakota, 8% of the 446 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles. 21 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My husband and I were in a wreck 01/02/06 with his 97 Dodge Dakota slt club cab, we hit 2 deer at 50-55 MPH head on. Our airbags did not deploy. We notified chrysler about this matter. They sent out a special investigator to go over the truck to see why they did not deploy, we were advised by my husbands insurance company to be present at the time of inspection, we told this to chryslers special investigator. …”
NHTSA complaint #10147506, filed 2006-01, 104,000 miles“While driving 45 MPH in the rain driver lost control of vehicle and hit a utility pole head on. Frontal air bags did not deploy. Both driver and passenger were wearing seat belts. The drivers nose was bruised. Passenger's head hit the windshield. Passenger's face was bruised and windshield cracked.”
NHTSA complaint #10033727, filed 2003-08, 67,182 miles“The air bag light illuminated for no apparent reason and the speedometer was acting erratically, te vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replace 3 computer modules (center timer module, printed circuit board module and airbag module), the consumer discovered through the internet that there was a recall for his vehicle but was told that the current recall did not fit the mechanical symptoms his truck was experiencing.”
NHTSA complaint #568315, filed 2002-11, 48,065 miles“Was driving on interstate 485 at charlotte, nc and airbags deployed with absolutely no collsion. Went to dealer and all they wanted to do was charge me 2700.00 to fix the airbags”
NHTSA complaint #10126409, filed 2005-06, 121,980 miles“While traveling at 50 MPH the consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle that was at a dead stop. The vehicle was totaled, and none of the air bags deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10029575, filed 2003-12, 125,000 milesRelated recalls
- 01V153000May 8, 2001Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the ram pickup…Covers: Dodge Dakota 1997–2000, RAM 1997–2001, Durango 1997–2000 +3 more
- 97V080000May 16, 1997The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.Covers: Dodge Dakota 1997, Jeep Wrangler 1997, Grand Cherokee 1997 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10176211Mar 23, 2020This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the internal spring. If the internal spring is not seated, the electrical…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 18 | 41% |
| 2010 | 16 | 46% |
| 2009 | 5 | 28% |
| 2008 | 29 | 32% |
| 2007 | 59 | 41% |
| 2006 | 126 | 44% |
| 2005 | 143 | 30% |
| 2004 | 15 | 7% |
| 2003 | 13 | 4% |
| 2002 | 28 | 4% |
| 2001 | 39 | 6% |
| 2000 | 29 | 4% |
| 1999 | 32 | 5% |
| 1998 | 32 | 6% |
| 1997 | 37 | 8% |
| 1996 | 12 | 6% |
| 1995 | 26 | 13% |
| 1994 | 22 | 13% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Dakota
142 complaintsBrakes
73 complaintsEngine cooling
49 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
46 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsSeats
22 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTires
16 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology