1998 Dodge Dakota Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 4%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 4% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 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.
“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“Fan blower going on and off. No defrost ,heat,AC available when blower is off. Seems like a lot of people are having this same problem. It is a 1998 Dakota. Everyone is saying the problem is a resistor, which is hard to get to. Seems as if the whole dash has to come off to get to this area. The dealership wants $85. For diagnostic. Close to $200-$300 problem for only a $9-$12 part. Sad just another problem for the Dodge lovers.”
NHTSA complaint #10106426, filed 2005-01, 75,000 miles“Electric windows failed. I tried to replace the circuit breaker, but it was so hot it burned my fingers. The circuit breaker stayed hot as long as the ignition was on. I had to remove the circuit breaker and drive with the windows partially open for 2 days. After 2 days, the windows began to work as normal. Dealer says there is nothing broken.”
NHTSA complaint #712089, filed 1999-09“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“Oversized outside mirrors are mounted so high that they create a serious blind spot for shorter drivers. This causes problems rounding corners, at intersections, and at night when the eyelevel mirror reflects following headlights. Possible souutions: lower the mounting position of the mirrors; raise the seating position.”
NHTSA complaint #708306, filed 1999-07Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 15 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 17 | 6% |
| 2002 | 20 | 3% |
| 2001 | 31 | 5% |
| 2000 | 25 | 3% |
| 1999 | 8 | 1% |
| 1998 | 20 | 4% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
| 1996 | 7 | 4% |
| 1995 | 8 | 4% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 4 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
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 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 29, 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