Looking at a Specific 1998 DODGE DAKOTA?
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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 1998 > Dodge > DAKOTA

1998 DODGE DAKOTA
Club Cab Pickup
4 wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used DODGE.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 4 of 5  
Passenger Rating 4 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Not Tested  
Rear Seat Not Tested  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Not Tested  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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IIHS Crash Test Results for the 1998 DODGE DAKOTA are not available in CARFAX Safety & Reliability Ratings.




Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier $ 484
Front into angle barrier $ 1312
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier $ 1477
Rear into pole $ 1376
Average Damage Per Test $ 1162

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 1998 DODGE DAKOTA bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. The low-speed damage repair costs for this 1998 DODGE DAKOTA were obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 61 Substantially better than average
Collision Index 93 Average
Theft Index 71 Average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 1998 DODGE DAKOTA are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 1998 DODGE DAKOTA by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 1998 DODGE DAKOTA still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 12,400
NHTSA campaign number: 98V208000
Defective part or component: STRUCTURE:BODY:CAB TRUCK (8/82)
Description: Vehicle Description: Light duty pickup trucks. These vehicles may have been built with bolts that were not properly hardened. The bolts were used to attach the cab and the core support to the frame. This condition can allow the cab to separate from the frame increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace these bolts with properly hardened bolts.


This 1998 DODGE DAKOTA safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Looking at a Specific 1998 DODGE DAKOTA?
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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality No data from source
  Mechanical Quality Rating 2 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 2 of 5
Overall Appeal No data from source
  Performance Rating 2 of 5
  Comfort Rating 3 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel No data from source
  Style Rating 3 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability No data from source
  Mechanical Dependability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Dependability No data from source
  Body and Interior Dependability No data from source

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine No data from source
Transmission & Driveline No data from source
Steering & Suspension No data from source
Brakes No data from source
Heating & Air Conditioning No data from source
Starting & Charging No data from source
Accessories No data from source
Identifix Legend


This 1998 DODGE DAKOTA reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 5 years or 100,000 miles  
Transferable No data from source  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint No data from source  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Corrosion coverage applies to outer panels. Inner panels are covered under corrosion for 3 years only. Roadside assistance free during basic coverage. Wear items are covered for 1 year or 12,000 miles. All vehicles sold or leased from 11/01/01 through 07/09/02 receive 7 years or 100,000 miles limited powertrain warranty, with a $100 deductible, that is not transferable unless transferred with CSC added care or maximum care for a $150 fee.  

This 1998 DODGE DAKOTA warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Baby Bear says this one's just right.
By Don Fuller, NewCarTestDrive.com

Some truck buyers have been stuck in a quandary: Don't need that big honkin' full-size pickup, but the compacts and imports don't meet the power requirement to tow the boat to the lake. The Dakota fills that niche like no other truck on the planet.

If you need to tow something bigger than the Dakota will handle, then you need a full-size pickup. If you don't deal with much of a load at all, maybe one of the compacts will do just fine.

But if you're like a huge number of truck buyers and have needs that fall somewhere in that great middle ground, then there's nothing else available that will do the job like the Dodge Dakota. For many of us, it's just right.

Overview:

The full-size Dodge Ram brought big-rig styling and a host of innovative features and design details to the pickup truck market; its popularity is now a matter of record. Last year, Dodge applied the Ram look and feel to its mid-size pickup, the Dakota, and it was another instant success.

For many buyers, the Dakota is a uniquely nifty size, bigger than the compact pickups, such as the Ford Ranger and Chevy Sonoma, smaller than the full-size models, such as the Ram and Ford F-150. Really, there's nothing else quite like it, and that puts the Dakota in a favorable spot.

The Dodge Dakota offers more room inside than the smaller compact trucks, increasing comfort for passengers, but it isn't so big on the outside that it's cumbersome or awkward to drive around town or fit into parking slots. For many buyers, that adds up to the ideal size.

Dodge completely redesigned the Dakota last year, so there isn't much new for 1998. New colors have been added to this year's palette. The optional keyless remote entry system now features a panic alarm, forged alloy wheels are available for the SLT trim level, and the four-cylinder engine is available in a wider range of models.

Read the complete 1998 Dodge Dakota review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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The DODGE DAKOTA did receive a J.D. Power and Associates Award in 1998. View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.


J.D. Power and Associates Award - 1998 APEAL Awardee - Most Appealing Compact Pickup:

This award is based on the results of the Initial Quality Study , which is based on feedback collected from new vehicle owners regarding problems experienced within the first 90 days of ownership.
View other awardees.


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