1998 Dodge Dakota Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 6%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 6% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 20 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Me and a friend were in a car accident .when we lost control of my 1998 Dodge Dakota and hit the side of a building at 40-45 MPH when we hit the air bags did not deploy and the seat belts did not lock up like they were supposed to in result we bounced or faces and heads off of the steering wheel and dash board and now having head neck and back problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10256998, filed 2009-01, 134,000 miles“A clicking noise in the steering column as I drive. A mechanic told me it was related to the air bag. He said it could malfunction in an accident or worse yet could cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10026070, filed 2003-07, 62,000 miles“While driving, the air bag light illuminated on the dash board and stayed on. The air bag module was replaced but the problem resurfaced. The consumer saw recall 01v-153000 which was related to the air bag clockspring dealer they stated that the vehicle was not in the recall, but it has the same model and year. Consumer had to pay for cost of repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10020260, filed 2003-08, 58,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and the air bag sensor activated. The dealer stated that the vehicle would have to be brought in to be placed on a diagnostic computer to determine the cause of the failure. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The current mileage was 136,069 and failure mileage was 135,900.”
NHTSA complaint #10222574, filed 2008-03, 135,900 miles“Michael bogner was going at about a speed of 35 to 45 MPH when he lost control of his truck and hit a parked car. His airbag did not deploy and because of it he suffered neck and shoulder injuries. We contacted chrysler corp. To let them know. They sent out an agent, and he claims that the airbag didn't deploy because he hit an object. He went further to say that the airbag may have gone off if he hit a brick wall. Right now my michael and I are waiting on the report. We were promised it three weeks ago and we still not have recieved it. …”
NHTSA complaint #709090, filed 1999-07Related 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
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 1998 Dodge Dakota
217 complaintsBrakes
80 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
74 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsSeat belts
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsTires
18 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsFuel system
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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