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1998 Dodge Dakota brakes problems

80 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 89,249. 12 crashes reported.

owner complaints
80
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
89,249
crashes
12
recalls
3

Which part fails

  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
    19
  • Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
    10
  • Foundation components
    7
  • Foundation components: disc
    6
  • Foundation components: disc: rotor
    4
  • Foundation components: disc: caliper
    4
  • Foundation components: master cylinder
    3
  • Conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable
    3

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Dodge Dakota brakes problems in other years

19901995200020052011

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Dodge Dakota brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Brake failure 17Grinding brakes 17Premature wear 16ABS 7

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported July 17, 2000 · 40,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: pickup trucks built with 2.5l engines. Some vehicles may have been built with inadequate clearance between the left front brake tube and the power steering hose.
Risk
A puncture of the left front brake tube can result in a loss of braking force at the front wheels, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the brake tube and power steering hose for wear. If wear is evident, the brake tube and/or power steering hose will be replaced. A power steering standoff bracket will be installed on all vehicles to ensure that adequate clearance between the brake tube and power steering hose is maintained.

Recall number 00V193000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported July 17, 2000 · 437,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Some vehicles may have been built with inadequate clearance between the rear axle vent hose and the brake hose.
Risk
A puncture in the rear brake hose will result in a loss of braking force at the rear wheels.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear brake hose for evidence of wear. Worn brake hoses will be replaced. The rear vent hose will be shortened by 3 inches and a clip will be installed to assure clearance between the axle vent line and brake hose is maintained.

Recall number 00V198000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported October 7, 1997 · 7,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks (2 wheel drive only). The front brake hoses or anti-lock brake system (ABS) sensor wire may be abraded at the front wheels by contact with a front wheelhouse splash shield.
Risk
Prolonged brake hose contact can cause a partial loss of the braking system. Prolonged ABS sensor wire contact can cause a loss of ABS function.
Remedy
Dealers will trim the front wheelhouse splash shields and the brake hoses and ABS sensor wires will be inspected. If evidence of abrasion is found on any hose or ABS wire, they will be replaced.

Recall number 97V170000 · Recall details

What 1998 Dodge Dakota owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 10, 2023 · Brakes · 5,000 miles · SC · crash · 4 injuries

The contact owned a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 25 MPH and attempting to slow the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. As a result, the vehicle careened off the roadway and into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The occupants were all transported to an area hospital by EMT for treatment. The driver was treated for chest pain caused by the steering wheel; the contact was treated for a broken arm; the oldest rear seat occupant was treated for a facial injury, losing two front teeth; and the youngest rear seat occupant was treated for a concussion. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 97V170000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

Filed May 23, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · 210,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. During the failure, there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal a clicking noise was present and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 210,000.

Filed Aug 11, 2018 · Brakes, Steering · 162,000 miles · CA

I found a list of recalls on pep boys website

Filed Dec 8, 2017 · Brakes, Steering · 100,000 miles · ID

This car has been a safety nightmare. From steel brake lines rusting through (and the vehicle losing it brakes), to upper ball joints almost separating to steering wheel drive shafts where the u-joints almost separated. These are not items that should fail like this. I spent part of my career looking after global product liability for cummins engine and I am stunned at the poor quality chrysler has used in critical components.

Filed Sep 28, 2016 · Brakes · 96,000 miles · NC

While driving a combine was approaching in on coming lane taking up part of my lane, applied brakes and pedal hit the floor (no brakes). I had to go off road to avoid accident. Upon inspection found brake lines rusted through. Repaired and while bleeding lines had another rusted area rupture due to rust ( 4 areas so far). Fearful to drive until all lines replaced......but too costly!

Filed Nov 14, 2013 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · TN

Brakes failed due to complete rust through of lines. Have had to subsequently replace other lines and hoses due to their defective quality.

Filed Jun 1, 2012 · Brakes · 79,000 miles · NY · crash

Approaching stop light when hydraulic brake lines suddenly and completely ruptured causing a condition of no brakes and impact with vehicle in front of me.

Filed May 9, 2011 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · VA

1998 dakota brake line (steel) rusted through and ruptured resulting in catastrophic brake failure (right front). The dealer blames the failure on road conditions in western virginia (salt). The truck has only 80000 miles.

Filed Nov 22, 2010 · Brakes · 58,000 miles · NC · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 32 MPH when he attempted to stop but the brakes failed; as a result, the vehicle rear ended the vehicle in front. The contact experienced the brake failure several times. The local repair shop replaced the calipers and brake pads five times. The vehicle was taken back to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the ABS could be the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired again. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000 and the current mileage was 58,882.

Filed Jul 12, 2010 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · NY

The master cylinder brake line on my 1998 dodge dakota truck failed completely and suddenly under normal driving conditions (light braking). Upon inspection, all front brake lines from the master cylinder to the distribution junction and from the distribution junction to the front brakes (left and right) were heavily corroded. Last winter, the brake line leading from the distribution junction to the rear brakes failed under similar circumstances, however; some braking ability remained. These two failures over a relatively short time-frame lead me to believe it may be a manufacturing defect with all metal brake lines.

Questions about the 1998 Dodge Dakota brakes

Does the 1998 Dodge Dakota have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 80 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Dakota brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 89,249 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Dodge Dakota brakes?

Yes, 3 recalls: 00V193000, 00V198000, 97V170000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Dodge Dakota have bad brakes?

The Dodge Dakota model years with the most brakes complaints are 2000 (263 complaints), 2002 (213 complaints) and 2001 (130 complaints).

Other 1998 Dodge Dakota problems

Suspension 217Transmission 74Engine 64Steering 47Airbags 32Seat belts 20Visibility 20Body 19Electrical 19Tires 18Fuel system 12Lights 11Acceleration 9Wheels 3Locks 2Seats 2Driver assistance 1

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