Overview & Reviews

The Dakota R/T, featuring a 250-horsepower V8, is available for those seeking a performance pickup. The passenger airbag can now be deactivated in all 1998 Dodge Dakotas, so a rear-facing child seat can be used. The Dakota is also available in three new colors.

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

• No third door option

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 60.00

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  Overall Decent Car - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Brian - October 16 - 12:46 pm

  Owned my pickup since 2009. Overall pleased, enough to keep it anyway. It will go a few years without needing any major repairs, and then several things will need work in short order. Ive replaced fuel pump, exhaust system, distributor cap and associated parts, window wash pump, and brakes twice. So not bad, but then I have a load of small problems: check engine lights been on since 2010 (I was told its due to a minor transmission issue that might cost a lot to fix with minor payoff), the ABS and emergency brake lights come on when I take a highway ramp (but no effect on driving or braking), the ceiling lining started to come loose two years ago, rust is bubbling the paint over the left rear wheel well (seems to be common for this model year), and most annoying of all, the springs supporting the drivers seat broke loose of their moorings which causes the seat to sag and the metal frame parts to poke me uncomfortably. And there doesnt seem to be an easy way to repair the seat and its attached to the passenger seat & center console which will make replacement a major hassle. On the other hand, I think it handles great, the brakes do not disappoint, the engine is fairly quiet and smooth, and Ive driven it on several road-trips from 3,000 to 5,000 miles at a time without complaint. It has a light rear end, which can be a danger in rain or snow. Ive found that tires with good traction will overcome handling problems in the rain, but if you live where it snows much, I would recommend 4WD. Basically, if you need a no-frills reliable vehicle and dont mind minor problems that crop up but wont interfere with driving function, you will likely find this truck to be acceptable.

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  Nothing but problems - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Disappointed - May 7 - 4:07 pm

  Trucks look great, but lack performance and reliability. Bought the truck 1 1/2 years ago with only 48,000 miles on it, today I have around 66,000 and have had to replace the transmission twice, the radiator, brakes, ball joints, heat. I bought the truck with high expectations and have been nothing but let down ever since the day I drove it off the lot.

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  Disappointing experience - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Eric - December 4 - 2:40 pm

  Overall, a missed opportunity for Dodge to come up with a great truck. Paint and interior holding up well. Nice ergonomics in passenger compartment. Good size for work/commuter truck, but build quality too poor to recommend. Cab leaked through rear weld (fixed a couple of times under warranty, then on my dime), water pump went out, AC drain poorly designed causing condensate to drain into passenger compartment. Most significant were front end problems. Upper and lower ball joints replaced twice, now have replaced front steering mechanism. DC customer service non- existent. Fuel mileage acceptable on hwy, poor in town. I wont be looking at DC vehicles again, based on this experience.

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  Expensive to Repair - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Jeff - March 24 - 10:53 pm

  A joy to drive, but a nightmare on repair costs. Dodge doesnt make it easy to repair or replace a small piece or a small part, you have to replace the entire part. One example is on the Upper Swing Arm - instead of just replacing the bearing when it goes bad, you have to replace the whole Upper Swing Arm at around $300.

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  Dont Make the Mistake - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Unsatified fool - March 11 - 8:31 pm

  Poorly engineered mechanically. Gas mileage was my first disappointment, only about 1mile/gal better than full sized trucks. First thermostate lasted 11,000 miles. At 29,000 miles a ball joint required replacement. The factory installed CD quit at 45000 miles and the cup holder spring broke. Air bag module went out at 54000. Sensor for the rear brakes out at 72000. At 76000 the fan clutch, belt tensioner and water pump required replacement. In comparing this truck to previously owned Ford and Toyota small pickups I vote thumbs down.

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  BAD EXPERIENCE - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By KIDZROCK4 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  5.9 LITER ENGINE BLEW AT 96,000 MILES WITH NO WARNING THINK IT WAS OIL PUMP FAILURE. WAS DRIVING 65MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY WHEN CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON. REST IS STATED ABOVE. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS MISFORTUNE. THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND VEHICLE. WILL NOT ANSWER ANY OF MY QUESTIONS. I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE PRODUCT AGAIN

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  Good looking piece of ... - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Michael Mazzio - December 6 - 2:00 am

  After the first few thousand miles replaced the #1 spark plug every month or so(cracked). Strange clunking sound in steering. At 10000 replaced the front brakes, then again every 10-16000 miles. At 18000 replaced rear shocks. At 37000, just out of warranty, Transmission rebuilt for the first time. At 44000, rear rebuilt. At 46000, lower and upper ball joints and outer tie rods replaced. Odds and ends replaced until 96000 where the transmission was rebuilt a second time, transfer case, back-up light switch and have new seals put in steering box. Im at 166000 now, upper ball joints and transfer case needs to be rebuilt again. One good thing, truck still runs.

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  Almost A Truck! - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Mazda Fan - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Bucket seat cushions seem to be too long for my 56" frame and the backs are to flat and non supporting. Visability is horrible with the huge A pillars. Ours also has the fuel pick up problem that has left us stranded twice! It ate left front brakes and rotors untill I upgraded the front pads. Resale value is poor,along with the gas mileage. 13/17, worse than a full size suv! Engine rattles on anything less than premium fuel, sometimes on that too!Rear seats too small, even for children. No locking glove box. Noisy fan motor. No overhead console on this year. Rear bumper design to weak for towing any weight. This COULD be a good truck.