The 1999 Dodge Dakota has 4 recalls, the most serious being two separate brake line failures: a rear brake hose that can be punctured by the axle vent hose, and a front brake tube on 2.5L engine models that can be punctured by the power steering hose, either of which can cause a significant loss of braking force.
The airbag system also has a concern: sound deadener material inside the steering wheel hub can come loose and jam the clockspring ribbon, the coiled connector that keeps the airbag circuit intact as the wheel turns. If that circuit opens, the driver's airbag may not deploy in a crash. There is also a seatbelt issue affecting the front retractors, which may not meet federal seatbelt assembly standards. A retractor that does not function correctly will not lock up properly during a collision, reducing the belt's ability to restrain the occupant and raising the risk of injury.