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Seat beltsPart report

1998 Dodge Dakota Seat belts Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
4%of 545 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 20 complaints about the seat belts of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 4% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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

“I have had numerous problems with my 1998 Dodge Dakota. I purchased it brand new. 2 months after 8/98 purchase date, the transmission went out. The brakes have had to be replaced several times, the map sensor went out while driving down the highway causing the vehicle to shut down. I recently had to replace the lower ball joints. The seat belts come off entirely too easy. All of this and the vehicle only has 39,000 miles on it. I sent arbitration papers to chrysler twice with no response.”

NHTSA complaint #10045118, filed 2003-10, 300 miles

“Windshield has manufacture defects. Optical distortions appear in multiple, if not the entire windsheild. Dealer discribed them as normal and that every other windshield in the Dakota and durango line have similar problems...er character. I was asked to get use to the distortion, but cannot. My problem with visability through the windshield has caused misjudgements in sign legibility, distance/physical appearance and sometimes resulted in eyestrain leading to headaches.”

NHTSA complaint #704174, filed 1999-03

“Passenger seatbelt will not lock passenger in place in the event of accident. Dealership has acknowledged the problem, replaced the belt one time. Problem still exists. Currently waiting for a second replacement. Rear brakes only wore out and required replacement. 5,000 miles prior they had been checked by the dealership and reported to be line new . Front brakes are still fine at 48,000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #713005, filed 1999-10

“Consumer's shoulder belt on driver side wasn't retracting once it has been pulled to secure occupant. Dealer has been contacted, and there was only a 36,000 mile warranty for seat belts. No recall has been initiated.”

NHTSA complaint #887450, filed 2001-05

Seat belts: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201013%
200844%
200652%
200582%
200410%
200331%
200230%
200141%
200091%
199961%
1998204%
1997102%
1996126%
19952512%
1994117%
199386%
199231%
199122%
199012%
198935%
198824%
1987315%

Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Dakota

Suspension
217 complaints
Brakes
80 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
74 complaints
Engine cooling
60 complaints
Steering
47 complaints
Air bags
32 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaints
Electrical system
19 complaints
Body and structure
19 complaints
Tires
18 complaints
Other or unknown
13 complaints
Fuel 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