My husband and I were in a wreck 01/02/06 with his 97 dodge dakota slt club cab, we hit 2 deer at 50-55 MPH head on. Our airbags did not deploy. We notified chrysler about this matter. They sent out a special investigator to go over the truck to see why they did not deploy, we were advised by my husbands insurance company to be present at the time of inspection, we told this to chryslers special investigator. My husband went to the dealership the truck was to be taken to the si didn't show up my husband came home, I called the body shop that had the truck and they informed me that the si had come and looked at the truck there and then was wanting it taken to a local dealership. I told the body shop not to allow the truck to be moved without us present, they went ahead and did it anyway. Along with contact over the airbags with chrysler I was made aware of 1 recall, that we had not been notified of. Now in my research I have found 5 recalls that we were not notified of. I was injured in the accident because of the airbags not deploying, I am still having problems. We have no vehicle at all, chrysler is dragging their feet about doing anything as far as telling us any details of the investigation. We are thinking about possibly repairing the truck, this will take money that we do not have to fix, the truck had liability only insurance. We live on a fixed income, my husband is disabled, I am currently not working and if I were I would have been fired for not being able to get to work. Due to all the recalls on this truck that we have just found out about and the airbags not deploying and this being our only transportation, we would just like to see the vehicle replaced, but not with chrysler with a competitor, we are not asking for a brand new vehicle and also to have my medical bills paid.
1997 Dodge Dakota airbags problems
37 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 121,980. 21 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 37
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 121,980
- crashes
- 21
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Frontal23
- Frontal: sensor/control module4
- On-off switch assembly2
- Frontal: driver side: inflator module1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Dodge Dakota airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Dodge Dakota airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th VIN position) from may 16, 2000 through october 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11th VIN position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11th VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11th VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.
- Risk
- When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began june 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, will also be included in this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V153000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.
- Risk
- Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.
Recall number 97V080000 · Recall details
What 1997 Dodge Dakota owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Was driving on interstate 485 at charlotte, nc and airbags deployed with absolutely no collsion. Went to dealer and all they wanted to do was charge me 2700.00 to fix the airbags
While driving another vehicle veered into consumer's vehicle lane, driver applied the brakes, they did not work and consumer's vehicle crashed into the other vehicle. The left side seat belt came apart. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained head and neck, and knee injuries, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. Vehicle was towed and totaled by insurance company. *ak...daimlerchrysler corporation notified consumer that they could not verify any type of seat belt buckle failure and denied consumer's claim. A police report was on file.
While driving approximately 30 MPH and trying to avoid a deer consumer swerved and vehicle ending up crashing into a fence. Upon im[pact, air bags did not deploy. The cause was undetermined.
Can not get conformation from dodge for airbage recall for 1997 dodge dakota VIN #[xxx] airbag light is on which was typical of dakotas airbag recalls, but have not been advice of recall. *ak updated 07/25/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
While traveling at 50 MPH the consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle that was at a dead stop. The vehicle was totaled, and none of the air bags deployed. *ak *scc
While driving 45 MPH in the rain driver lost control of vehicle and hit a utility pole head on. Frontal air bags did not deploy. Both driver and passenger were wearing seat belts. The drivers nose was bruised. Passenger's head hit the windshield. Passenger's face was bruised and windshield cracked.
When driving airbag light illuminate and then go out without any warning. Also, air bag light will turn off if turn signals are engaged.
Consumer stated that the air bag module had popped, causing the air bag light to stay on. Ts
The air bag light illuminated for no apparent reason and the speedometer was acting erratically, te vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replace 3 computer modules (center timer module, printed circuit board module and airbag module), the consumer discovered through the internet that there was a recall for his vehicle but was told that the current recall did not fit the mechanical symptoms his truck was experiencing. *jg
Questions about the 1997 Dodge Dakota airbags
Does the 1997 Dodge Dakota have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 37 complaints about the airbags of the 1997 Dodge Dakota, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Dakota airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 121,980 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Dodge Dakota airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 01V153000, 97V080000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge Dakota have bad airbags?
The Dodge Dakota model years with the most airbags complaints are 2005 (143 complaints), 2006 (126 complaints) and 2007 (59 complaints).
Other 1997 Dodge Dakota problems
Suspension 142Brakes 73Engine 50Transmission 45Fuel system 38Steering 34Seats 22Electrical 17Tires 16Body 13Acceleration 12Visibility 12Seat belts 9Lights 6Wheels 5
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