Sell your 1998 Dodge Dakota for cash

The 1998 Dodge Dakota is a pickup truck that came with a choice of 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl and 5.9L 8-cyl engines. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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1998 Dodge Dakota at a glance

Body styleStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines2.5L 4-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl
TransmissionsManual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd
DriveRear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy12–18 city / 16–23 highway / 13–20 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,350–$5,150 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂444–684 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA10 configurations: Dakota Pickup 2WD, Dakota Pickup 4WD
Age28 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 28 years old, most of a 1998 Dakota's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a pickup truck, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1998 Dakota. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the suspension, typically around 68,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1998 Dodge Dakota recalls

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 1998 Dodge Dakota. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Air BagsMay 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V153000

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…

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.

Service Brakes, HydraulicJul 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V193000

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.

Service Brakes, HydraulicJul 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V198000

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.

StructureSep 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V208000

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.

Risk: This condition can allow the cab to separate from the frame increasing the risk of a crash.

Service Brakes, HydraulicOct 1997 · NHTSA campaign 97V170000

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.

Common 1998 Dakota problems

Owners have filed 545 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Dakota with NHTSA. 43 reports involved a crash and 1 report involved a fire. Owners reported 28 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Suspension137
  • Suspension105
  • Power Train33
  • Air Bags23
  • Engine and Engine Cooling23
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic19

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Suspension68,000 mi
  • Suspension66,000 mi
  • Power Train95,000 mi
  • Air Bags62,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling71,000 mi
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic107,000 mi

1998 Dodge Dakota service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 108 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Dodge Dakota. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Engine and Engine Cooling11
  • Structure7
  • Electrical System6
  • Engine and Engine Cooling6
  • Structure5
  • Equipment4

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2020 · 9004275

    KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2020 · 9004275

    KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2020 · 08-049-20

    Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging system

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2020 · DOR-X6W2U-06

    This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the internal spring. If the internal spring is not seated, the elec

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 1998 Dodge Dakota.

SuspensionEA03023 · opened Nov 2003, closed Feb 2005Led to recall 04V596000

Upper ball joint separation

Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and Dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint

Other Dodge Dakota years

‹ Sell a 1997 Dakota · Sell a 1999 Dakota › · All Dodge Dakota years

Other 1998 Dodge models

Selling a 1998 Dakota: questions

How much is a 1998 Dodge Dakota worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 1998 Dakota that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1998 Dakotas that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1998 Dakota with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1998 Dodge Dakota; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1998 Dakota?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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