1997 Dodge Dakota Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 0%of 446 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 171,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1997 Dodge Dakota, 0% of the 446 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 171,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“3 days after we bought this vehicle the fuel system went down. Replaced the fuel pump and still wants to stall and act like its clogged in the fuel lines. Its been flushed. When driving it bogs down and chugs. It wants to die and shut off while your driving the truck. The brakes only work half the time. Most of the time I can't even stop until I'm halfway through the intersection. Replaced all the sensors and still doesn't want to start and stay running. Fuel pump kicks on, but has to run extra hard to try and keep the engine running.”
NHTSA complaint #10706503, filed 2015-04, 171,000 miles“The contact owned a 1997 Dodge Dakota. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat without warning. The contact pulled over and opened the hood of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the engine was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10863588, filed 2016-05Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2009 | 2 | 11% |
| 2008 | 3 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 11 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 7 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1998 | 5 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Dakota
142 complaintsBrakes
73 complaintsEngine cooling
49 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
46 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsSeats
22 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTires
16 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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