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 21 through 30 of 46.00

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  think before you buy regular cab - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By ems - May 2 - 2:00 am

  its been a good truck for the 6 months Ive owned it. Beware of ball-joint issues in the 97-02 models... the 00-02 seem to be the worst, but mine needed all four ball joints before 100k... they arent cheap either, total bill was $1500. The truck has plenty of power with the 318 (5.2) and the transmission has been smooth shifting... but the engine does have idle issues, make sure you start the truck COLD as thats when they tend to show up. Would I buy it again? Probably, but Id get the club or quad cab!

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  ok truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By allez - October 14 - 2:00 am

  id like the eng. 5.2 v8, but it fuel economy its horroble , also i had tho replace the water pump twice already, its a good, fun truck to have

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  Luv my truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By giovine - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my truck with 60k mi and it has a 5.2 V8 with 4WD. I now have 105K and it still drives great.I do have a couple of complaints with it. My biggest being the gas milage. I was expecting to see about 18- 20 MPG and dissapointed to get 13-14 MPG. Another dissapointment is the heater, totaly inadiquate!! You can drive hours on a cold day and never have to lower the heat. A/C has been failing since I bought it. still like it !!!!

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  Great Truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Jenn126 - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought at 68K, no problems till next year. Brought to Dodge for a recall and check engine light. They said I had to replace lower ball joints, turn brakes, clean rear breaks, bad oxygen sensor causing check engine light, and leaking thermostate. Total repair cost over was $1,000. I paid $70.00 for the diagnostic and left.Went straight to Good Year to check the ball joints, they said I needed NO repair. Was Dodge looking at the wrong truck or trying to take advantage of a female? Still havent had any of these repairs done after a year and the truck runs like a dream. Love my truck. The only repairs have been regular maintance and a new serp. belt.

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  Nice Truck - some issues - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Cookie - May 20 - 2:00 am

  New lower balljoints 65k,new front brakes at 60k. Dodge Service fouled fuel injectors and rails while installing new fuel pump at 55k and tried to charge another $1300 (offered no explanation). I cleaned them myself for two bucks and found the coating inside the tank was deteriorating and ruined the pump. They reintroduced the contaminated fuel after replacing the pump. Dont go to Dodge boys for repairs!!!!!!! Air conditioner problems and heater inadequate.

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  My Dodge - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Miles - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Looks great, even got a complement on it at a tire service center today. Brakes are weak link, and had to have serpentine belt idler replaced.

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  Very nice for the money - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By bmwbiker - March 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this truck for four years and I have not had one major mechanical breakdown in all that time. I have the V6 w/ a 5-speed so it gets easily 24mpg on the hwy and 18 in town. It has enough power to tow my Harley and also enough payload to move heavy antique furniture on more that one occasion. It has a shell and a bed extender which make even better.

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  Dakota is a great truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Scotar - March 7 - 1:27 am

  V8 is a necessity, a lot of power with it. Interior is very comfortable. Ride and handling are very good with new tires, just good with worn tires. This vehicle is terrible in 2 wheel drive on snow and rain for accler. Fuel economy is the worst for this size truck. I avg 13 mpg and nothing is wrong with the truck. Infinity stereo sounds pretty good as stock. After 30K miles I have not had a single problem. I have had 1700 lbs in the bed several times with no problem.