Four problems related to body have been reported for the 1998 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The spare tire hoist / carrier cable broke, causing the full size spare tire to drop to the road. Fortunately, it happened as I pulled into my driveway. This could have easily been a severe accident on the interstate.
Center console keeps breaking after a few months of use while raising and lowering it.
The front center cupholders on the 40-20-40 seats are very low in design, when you put a hot drink in them and make a turn the drinks in them (cup and all) will fall out, if hot drinks are in them it will burn your leg while driving but worse it distracts you and could cause an accident.
White spots were showing through the black paint on the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that vehicle was made with faulty primer. Manufacturer was willing to pay half of the cost.