1997 Dodge Dakota engine and engine cooling problems
49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 1997 Dodge Dakota — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Catalytic converter inspection. There is a recall out for 1996 jeep cherokee with a 4.0 liter engine and 1997 dodge dakota with a 2.5 liter engine. I have a 1997 dodge dakota with a 3.9 engine and has the same problems that are in the 2 models described above. The check engine light will not come…”
filed Nov 27, 2006
“I own a 1997 dodge dakota slt. The engine is a 5.2 v8 with only 45,000 miles my complaint started around 40,000 miles. I am getting a severe spark knock and a tremendous oil consumption 2.5 quarts every two hundred miles. They installed faulty engine intake manifold plenum pan gaskets. Through my…”
filed Oct 24, 2006
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
R2118796A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 26, 2016
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Dakota years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Dakota | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 Dakota | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 Dakota | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 Dakota | 12 | 3% |
| 2004 Dakota | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 Dakota | 34 | 12% |
| 2002 Dakota | 34 | 5% |
| 2001 Dakota | 53 | 8% |
| 2000 Dakota | 50 | 6% |
| 1999 Dakota | 70 | 11% |
| 1998 Dakota | 60 | 11% |
| 1996 Dakota | 27 | 14% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 Dodge Dakota
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.