1998 Dodge Dakota Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 2%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 2% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“The truck has a electrical issue the lights go off and on out of no where I was driving down the road in very dark two lane road and lights go off. Thank god nobody tried passing in oncoming traffic pr we would be dead I replaced light switch a few months ago and it was fine until recently started doing same thing.”
NHTSA complaint #10948781, filed 2017-02, 170,000 miles“Head lights flicker and turn off intermittently whether driving or at a stand still. This has occurred since this vehicle was purchased used and is a common problem with this and the Dodge durango. Have been stopped twice by local law enforcement. The vehicle is stock with no aftermarket additions.”
NHTSA complaint #10544547, filed 2013-09, 170,000 miles“Due to an electrical overload relay light switch burned out and melted, causing the lights to go out. There is a recall for Dodge ram 1995 on this problem. But the 1998 Dakota is not included in the recall although it has same part. Dealer is ordered parts to fix vehicle at consumer's expense. Recall 99v024000.”
NHTSA complaint #860281, filed 2000-04“When engaging turn signal there was no signal light, and there was a loud gear grinding noise. When disengaging signal noise stopped. Cause is unknown. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8009860, filed 2002-05“Headlights flickering, problems with sway bar links and upper control arms noticed inspection, if parts fail completely total loss of steering would occur.”
NHTSA complaint #9005495, filed 2002-01Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 9% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 3% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 22 | 7% |
| 2002 | 21 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 1% |
| 1999 | 7 | 1% |
| 1998 | 11 | 2% |
| 1997 | 6 | 1% |
| 1996 | 6 | 3% |
| 1995 | 5 | 2% |
| 1994 | 5 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Dakota
217 complaintsBrakes
80 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
74 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsSeat belts
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsTires
18 complaintsOther or unknown
13 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