DodgeDakota19982.5L/dodge/dakota/1998/2-5l/
AN platform

1998 Dodge Dakota — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Dakota 2.5L.

Body TRUCKEngine 2.5LTransmission Manual 5-spd

The 1998 Dodge Dakota is an AN-platform truck that pairs a 2.5L engine with a 5-speed manual transmission to deliver an EPA-estimated 20 combined mpg. Routine servicing requires 4.4 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API oil, but the vehicle's operational reality extends far beyond basic maintenance, defined by 574 owner complaints centered on the suspension and punctuated by 12 separate recalls. Sitting just beneath the model's all-time complaint peak of 842 in the year 2000, this 1998 iteration falls squarely within the Dakota's most troubled era, signaling to researchers that its historical reliability record is markedly problematic.

Model year2002200120001999199819941993

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-65R16SLOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Spark plug68303921AA alt 68304020AA
BatteryBB27F101AA
Front wiper blades55077091AD
Serpentine belt53010303AC alt 53010304AB
Thermostat52028185AC alt 52028186AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionManual 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.8 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight3508 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 23 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilFront: 90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4 Pints,
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts80 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsTighten all bolts in sequence
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.8 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,000-18,000 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity8.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure35-75 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle95-125 ft-lbs
Drum Runout Limit0.008 in
Drum Nominal Diameter10 in / 11 in / 9 in
Drum Maximum Machining10.06 in / 11.06 in / 9.06 in
Drum Discard at-or-over10.09 / 11.09 / 9.09
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
140 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8040 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 15,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 37,500 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Dodge Dakota sits near the peak of a troubling arc for this generation. Complaints jumped sharply from 216 in 1996 to 487 in 1997, then rose further to 574 in 1998—a level only exceeded by the 2000 model’s 842 complaints. Recalls also spiked to 12 in 1997 and remained at 12 in 1998, before easing slightly to 10 in 1999. The 1998 model’s top complaint areas are suspension (177), powertrain (52), and service brakes (49), with 45 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint reported. While the data does not specify root causes, the 1998 year is clearly part of a high-complaint, high-recall period in the generation’s history. Given this context, the 1998 Dakota is not a recommended buy compared to earlier or later model years with fewer reported issues.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
110
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
574
Owner complaints
45 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 574 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension177
Power Train52
Service Brakes, Hydraulic49
Engine & Engine Cooling48
Air Bags29
Steering24
Structure16
Seat Belts15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 110 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
DOR-X6W2U-062020-03-23Electrical SystemThis SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Dakota. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Dakota 2.5L take?

4.4 qt of Above 0 F: 10W-30 API, Below 32 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Dakota have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.