The 1997 Dodge Dakota has 5 recalls, with the most serious being a potential for the airbag to deploy on its own when the ignition is shut off, which could injure anyone near the front of the cabin at that moment.
Two recalls address fire and brake risks on trucks with the longer 131-inch wheelbase: the fuel line runs too close to the cab underbody, and over time the contact can wear through the line and allow fuel to leak, creating a fire risk if that fuel reaches an ignition source. On the brake side, the rear axle vent hose can rub against the rear brake hose until it wears a hole through it, reducing braking force at the rear wheels. The fifth recall affects models with the 3.9-litre engine and automatic transmission and is a compliance matter: the underhood emissions label incorrectly identifies the truck as certified to California standards.