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 41 through 46 of 46.00

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  excellence on wheels - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By pibound - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Dakota that I have owned (first was an 88 model). Both were excellent performers and maintenance free other that the scheduled maintenance.

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  I LOVE THIS TRUCK - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By JOSH CORBIT - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS TRUCK

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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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  front ball joints - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By ken pittman - March 29 - 2:00 am

  love my dakota but disappointed when i had to replace all 4, upper and lowers ball joints with under 50000 miles. this was about a 500 dollar job and one i felt unnecessary because chyrsler put under size ball joints on in the first place.

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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.