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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Great Truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By Richard - January 29 - 6:55 amI bought this truck with 200 miles on it and have loved putting every mile on it. This truck has never given me any problems. The only maintenance that I have ever done has been due to normal wear and tear. Replaced oil pump and water pump around 200,000 miles. I have taken this truck from SC to HI to WA and finally here to Va. I cant say enough how much I have enjoyed this truck. God has been so good to me with it. I would definitely buy another one as soon as I see fit to replace this one. Maybe at around 500,000 miles.
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I dont want him (J-P) to leave me!!! - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By Gina - September 17 - 8:13 pmThis is the best pick-up truck i had so far...he went through a lot!! Someone stole it, wreck it, smashed the windows, radio stolen...he is still alive and run as good as the first day. He is now 400 000km and i have to spend a little this month to fix transfer case, wipers...the mechanic told me it was worth it to keep it in good shape.
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Terrible - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By Rp - January 3 - 2:18 amBought it with 90k miles. Within two months it needed a new motor and a new transmission. It has numerous other defective parts since then - horn does not work, cruise control does not work, alarm is set off when unlocking the door with the key, a/c does not work, speakers broke, heat does not work on passenger side, air vents shut off at random. It has had numerous sets of brakes because it cannot stop well at all. Design flaws - any owner will tell you they have replaced all the tie rods and ball joints at least once, if you have a V8 model say good bye to good fuel economy (11 mpg highway at 65mph), terrible interior with no back doors, 4WD with no locking differential?
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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 truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
By Jo_jo69699 - July 15 - 11:04 amI liked this truck before I even bought it. I would borrow it from my aunt all the time, it is spacious, very dependable, has a lot of power, fast, and has a lot of torque. I have taken this truck off road without any problems. Even the gas mileage is good, I average about 20-25 mpg, it has a v6 magnum in it, so I thought it was gonna be a gas hog. The only problem, I have had with the truck is the ac system, I can get it recharged and three days later it would need recharged again. This truck has never let me down and I have had it for 4 years.
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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.
