1997 Dodge Dakota Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 142about this part
- Share
- 32%of 446 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 142 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Dodge Dakota, 32% of the 446 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My ball joints and tie rods were going bad at 54,000 miles. Dodge would not do anything about the problem. Also, my transmission started to go bad at 74,000 miles. 2nd gear went out, then it went completely out at 91,000 miles. Obviously Dodge wasn't going to do anything about it. I wont buy another Dodge again.”
NHTSA complaint #10220369, filed 2008-03, 54,000 miles“I own a 1997' Dodge Dakota v8 long bed standard cab pick-up with only 32000 origional miles. The ball joints are bad and I have to have them replaced. I went to look up how to replace them and discovered the problem is wide spread. Sears mechanics were suprised that the ball joints were so worn with so few miles on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10052531, filed 2004-01, 31,000 miles“After reading about ball joint failure on dakotas and durango's I checked my 1997 Dakota with 43000 miles and found all upper and lower ball joint seals torn open and no grease in the in the ball joint socket. There is no sign of any grease ever in or around the ball joints. The joints are starting to rattle.”
NHTSA complaint #10137549, filed 2005-09, 43,000 miles“The ball joints on my 97 Dodge Dakota are worn out. Apparently this is a very common problem and supposedly there is a recall in effect for newer dakotas as though the problem didn't start until after 1997. This is a faulty part from the manufacturing process and its repair (amongst the many other manufacturing fault repairs on this vehicle) is ruining me financially in this economy. I should not be held financially responsible for a car makers inept manufacturing.”
NHTSA complaint #10246633, filed 2008-10, 170,000 miles“I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota 2 wheel drive. All four balljoints on the front end are very prone to failure. They wear prematurely as there is no way to lubricate the parts. My wheel has not yet fell off, although the balljoints rattle and clunk because they are worn out prematurely.”
NHTSA complaint #10106223, filed 2005-01, 89,000 milesSuspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 9% |
| 2006 | 25 | 9% |
| 2005 | 51 | 11% |
| 2004 | 45 | 22% |
| 2003 | 100 | 34% |
| 2002 | 226 | 33% |
| 2001 | 236 | 35% |
| 2000 | 282 | 35% |
| 1999 | 342 | 53% |
| 1998 | 217 | 40% |
| 1997 | 142 | 32% |
| 1996 | 12 | 6% |
| 1995 | 17 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 5% |
| 1993 | 8 | 6% |
| 1992 | 7 | 3% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 3% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Dakota
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 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 30, 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