1998 Dodge Dakota Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 217about this part
- Share
- 40%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 217 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 40% 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.
“This car has been a safety nightmare. From steel brake lines rusting through (and the vehicle losing it brakes), to upper ball joints almost separating to steering wheel drive shafts where the u-joints almost separated. These are not items that should fail like this. I spent part of my career looking after global product liability for cummins engine and I am stunned at the poor quality chrysler has used in critical components.”
NHTSA complaint #11053577, filed 2017-12, 100,000 miles“Ii had noted a clunking sound when turning into my driveway and at other times involving turning or driving over speed bumps or turning up an incline, also the steering feel had become vague. During my annual state insp. The mech stated that the upper ball joints on both sides were complely worn out, and as such could not pass it without repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10124947, filed 2005-06, 84,000 miles“After reading about steering problems in Dodge vehicles, I have hope you can help me. I purchased my '98 Dodge Dakota from 5 corners Dodge at 1292 highway 143, cedarburg, wisconsin 53012. *09 dec '97 I took my truck in for customer states that when making left hand turns there is s jarring that comes through the steering wheel - replace intermediate shaft - n/c. …”
NHTSA complaint #10141593, filed 2005-11, 196 miles“My tires have been wearing on the outside for over a year now, I had the truck looked at and all ball joint uppers and lowers are bad. This truck only has 90,000 miles and has been driven to and from work for the last 5 1/2 years that I have owned it. The front passenger side is ready to give way.”
NHTSA complaint #10210965, filed 2007-12, 90,000 miles“The lower ball joints were worn and needed to be replaced. In a discussion with the dealer representative, I was told to retain my bill since although there had not yet been a recall, there may be one in the future. From this conversation, it was obvious that this is a problem as has been indicated on several news reports and newspaper articles.”
NHTSA complaint #10086966, filed 2004-08, 52,822 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 1998 Dodge Dakota
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 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 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