1997 Dodge Dakota — 5.9L V8

The 1997 Dodge Dakota marks a sharp inflection point in its generation, with complaints spiking to 487—more than double the 1996 total and the highest since the 1992 peak—while recalls surged to 12, the most in the model’s history up to that point. This year sits at the start of a troubling three-year arc (1997–1999) where complaints and recalls remained elevated, suggesting systemic rather than isolated issues, particularly in suspension (112 complaints) and hydraulic brakes (55). Compared to the preceding years (1993–1996), which saw relatively stable complaint volumes (151–271) and fewer recalls (1–4 annually), the 1997 model year appears to have introduced or exacerbated reliability concerns that persisted into the next generation’s early years. The data doesn’t specify root causes, but the concentration of complaints in critical safety systems—including 43 crash-related reports and 10 fire incidents—implies heightened risk. While later years (2003 onward) show improvement, the 1997 Dakota’s federal record signals a year to approach with caution, prioritizing thorough pre-purchase inspections, especially of suspension and brake components. **Takeaway: This is a high-risk year to buy unless documented proof of recall completions and targeted repairs exists.**