Overview & Reviews

Powertrains are carried over, but everything else on the 1997 Dodge Dakota is new. Distinctions? Tightest turning circle in class, roomiest cabs and dual airbags are standard. Faux pas? No third door option, and the passenger airbag cannot be deactivated, so a rear-facing child seat is out of the question unless you cram it into the rear of the Club Cab.

• Dual airbags, tight turning circle, Ram styling, roomy cab, simplified model lineup, optional V-8 engine, optional ABS

• No third door option, cannot use rear facing child safety seat in front seat because passenger airbag cannot be switched off

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 46.00

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  Probelms, problems, problems - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By scott - December 10 - 12:53 pm

  When I purchased this vehicle I really thought that it would be a winner. In the last year I have had one problem after another and have given up on it and traded it in. At the time I traded it in it has the following problems. No heat, no air conditioning, lifters knocking, transmission slipping, brakes. I will say I always changed oil every 3000 miles and had all other fluids changed every 20000 - 25000 miles. I figured that to make it correct it would cost well over $5000. I realize that brakes are an item that need reolacing from time to time but to only have 80000 miles on the vihicle and have so many expensive problems tells me that these vehicles have serious reliability issues.

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  Good for the first five years - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Rosemountguy - March 30 - 2:00 am

  After my initial purchase and subsequent visits to the dealer for various quality control problems, the truck worked very well for three years. Shortly after this a series of problems has made me question my purchase of a Chrysler product. Three sets fo brakes in less than 75,000 miles, various electrical gremlins, suspension problems, and cracked exhaust studs have jaded my initial opinion of the vehicle. The recent condition of peeling paint has made me consider selling the vehicle and purchasing one of foriegn manufacture.

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  Never Again - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Phillie - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Never again will I purchase a Dodge product after this truck. I had the truck in the shop more in the first two years that my other vehicle has been in the ten years I have owned it. Not only does the truck lack quality, but the service at the Raymond Dodge Service Center is horrible. Talk about unfriendly people.

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  Pain to Maintain - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By nate676 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Typical American truck. You will spend many hours and many dollars at the garage having maintenance done. Fuel economy, as expected with a V8 is horrible. Engine starts knocking around 60000 miles I suggest using premium gas for best results. V8 has good get up and go. My Dakota has a severe tire wear problem it is not related to front-end alignments (or lack there of). Dakota doesnt hold up very well in a car wreck. I rear-ended a dinky Toyota Corolla and it cost $2700 to repair my vehicle.