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-
Just bought a 97 in 2013 - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By sstevek - July 29 - 8:47 pmMy model is actually a Sport 2WD 3.9 5 speed manual that I bought with about 102,500 miles. I get plenty of snow in my area, but the truck is for occasional use. I wanted a truck with a V6 and a manual transmission, something not easy to find. I think the V6 with the manual is a great combination - and a rare find. The regular cab is a little tight for me - but thats ok. I do enjoy driving the truck. It rides well, and the interior is solid. With the windows up its quiet - theres not one rattle in the truck. My first fuel calculation, highway and around town was 18.8 mpg. Very satisfied with that. I feel good about this truck.
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Great 97 Dakota - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By Jeff - December 4 - 2:00 am318 5.2 auto 192,000 miles. Purchased it last summer from a 1 owner, always garaged and well taken care of. Usual rust areas esp in northeast to be expected....bottom of the pass side door, and had the rear spring shackles replaced. Hasnt failed me yet...a/c doesnt work the best, to be expected on a 13 y/o vehicle. Not the best on gas, 13.3 - 18.5 on aggressive tread 31s....wish I had a 5spd for better gas milage. Other than the a/c, everything else works great. Needed to replace the steering shaft. My second Dakota...feel they are built well and Id buy another.
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nice 97 - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By Rocky - October 3 - 2:00 amThis truck has only 72,000 miles, on it just now have replaced, the original brakes.The truck has been used to trailer heavy construction equipment, the V-8 runs great gets 19 to 20 on highway. Just put the 2nd set of tires on it, front end wears tires with out uneven wear. There is no vibration in front at all.Have used 4wd very often on muddy constructions sites. The only problem the cheap plastic gear shift handle broke loose.I have always run premium gas in the v-8 and it makes a whole lot of difference over regular gas. Over all Very happy with truck.
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Reliable - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By MW Maker - August 2 - 6:11 pmI bought the Dakota new back in 1997. I now have almost 150k miles with nothing but standard maintenance required. I have had a problem with the speakers since I bought it and the dealership could never figure it out. Other than this one issue the truck has served me well over the past decade.
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My Pig - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By cordulidae - April 2 - 10:41 pmI name all of the vehicles I drive, and this one is appropriately named. I love this truck and hope to pass it on to my favored heir one day. :) It is fun to drive, full of torque, fast, has trailered everything I own several times over w/out complaint, and looks better than the current Dakotas. The few bad things I have had with Pig include Batteries, I put my 4th battery in this weekend, the gas mileage (avg. 14 mpg), but it is a 5.2 V-8. Oh, and when they built her, someone put an engine bearing in wrong or forgot to. Regardless, engine was rebuilt at 3,000 miles (under warranty). But, it hasnt stalled, hiccuped, or let me down since.
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Dakota keeps up with BIG BOYS - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By tsrtrek - March 20 - 8:19 amGreat design and layout but with POOR MPG and a weak transmission. Have had no major problems just ball joints and new paint.
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Handy to have around - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By Phil Briddell - January 12 - 2:28 pmI bought this for my daughter who always wanted a pickup. It has a teal color. It worked very well for her. She has moved to the city and a pickup is unnecessary, so I inherited it. Im having trouble giving it up as it is handy to have around. Drives like a truck and gets the same kind of low mileage but that is what it is.
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Dodge, never again! - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By Rosemountguy - November 4 - 5:36 pmThis was my first new vehicle purchase and my last Chrysler product purchase. While the truck always got reasonable mileage and was comfortable to drive, it was a maintenance nightmare. I went through three power steering pumps, replaced the ball joints, fuel pump, cruise control, and had the rear rebuilt by 50000 miles. The truck also ate brakes every 15- 20thousand miles. I never owned a vehicle that was this hard on brakes, even my old Trans-Am which I drove hard. A am happy I never really used it as a heavy hauler as I am sure I would have gone through many more parts.
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Great looking truck with many problems. - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By jcaisse2007 - June 26 - 12:39 pmI purchased this truck at 106,500 miles and it now has a little over 126,000. At first I loved the smooth transition of the transmission switching gears, but at 123,675 the transmission started to slip and the 5.2 liter v8 started to knock, and for everyone that put this truck in the shop it wasnt worth it. I dont plan to spend anything on this truck unless it is gas or regular maintenance. These trucks are only worth 5,000 and if you put it in the shop you will spend a lot more than its worth.
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Still going - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By hoylemd - March 26 - 3:33 pmBought my truck new. Have driven 110 miles round trip to work daily for past 6 years. Now have over 257,000 miles and uses only a half quart oil between changes. Still runs great. No major repairs, only things that wear out on any truck, brakes, water pump, belts, rotors. Radio did go out and I replaced it with a nice one with cd, which I was going to do anyway. Plenty of power with the V6, gets about 21 mpg no mater how I drive or what gas I use.
