1998 Dodge Dakota Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 74about this part
- Share
- 14%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 74 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 14% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles. 6 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.
“The emine will die amytime! Going around cormers lor on expressway sitting in driveway idling. My family has had this vehicle sine 1999. This just started 6 months ago. Up until then it never happened. Replaced several sensors (tps,iac,map,coolant temp and also computer)so far nothing fixes it. I know Dodge knows about this and so do you!!! Something needs to be done there are too many Dakota/durangos on the road I am surprised no one has died or at very least been hurt badly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11114557, filed 2018-07, 114,000 miles“I heard a clicking noise from the front end and a low pitched growl fromn the rear end. I brought the vehicle into the dealer, who determined that at 35,428 miles theat it needed two upper ball joints and a new differential (rear end) . Vehicle is a 1998 Dodge Dakota 4wd.”
NHTSA complaint #10110118, filed 2005-02, 35,400 miles“While driving ,transmission doesn't shift to next gear, RPM's go really high and the speedometer sticks. I'm afraid while crossing an intersection that I won't be able to get across and it might cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10054710, filed 2004-01, 59,000 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“Owner says that the differential went out on the vehicle after only 53,000mi. Vehicle was purchased brand new. Owner took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was broken pieces of disc. Owner feels that what happened was to premature based on the milage of the vehicle. Provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #10096945, filed 2004-10, 53,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 8 | 18% |
| 2010 | 7 | 20% |
| 2009 | 6 | 33% |
| 2008 | 10 | 11% |
| 2007 | 24 | 17% |
| 2006 | 36 | 13% |
| 2005 | 81 | 17% |
| 2004 | 19 | 9% |
| 2003 | 38 | 13% |
| 2002 | 89 | 13% |
| 2001 | 93 | 14% |
| 2000 | 74 | 9% |
| 1999 | 56 | 9% |
| 1998 | 74 | 14% |
| 1997 | 46 | 10% |
| 1996 | 28 | 15% |
| 1995 | 27 | 13% |
| 1994 | 25 | 15% |
| 1993 | 20 | 15% |
| 1992 | 110 | 51% |
| 1991 | 60 | 47% |
| 1990 | 14 | 22% |
| 1989 | 12 | 19% |
| 1988 | 10 | 18% |
| 1987 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Dakota
217 complaintsBrakes
80 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