Dodge Dakota

Useful and truthful details about the 97 to 2010 Dodge Dakota to many issues to list. But a very dependable truck. Mine's a 2000 and it runs like a dream but it's had its problems. The hard start was the worst. I put fuel pump, fuel lines, plugs, fixed a EVAP leak, injector cleaner still had the hard start so I changed the only thing it could be the fuel injectors. Took the first 1 out and bam it was cracked up both sides, and then changed the rest of them. They were all cracked up the sides. Put new ones in, runs like a dream.

Dodge is NOT made for the everyday driver, they are made for mechanics. They will break down and have problems DAILY. You cannot drive these in the rain, heat, snow or at all. They will rust and breakdown. They will have problems that cannot be diagnosed and you WILL have to fix EVERYTHING broken or not before you finally fix the actual problem. Dodge is junk and I would NEVER recommend them to anyone.

Don't buy a Dodge Dakota at all. They rust aways. Wheel bearing seriously separated in my driveway. Lucky me also the exhaust rust at the top which lead to the fuel tank catching on fire without me knowing. Thank god it didn't blow up. Not to mention the only reason I found out was because I got gas and I dumped all over the ground. Now I know better than to buy dodges. Don't be fooled by the looks. They're trash and will kill you.

Bought brand new 2006 Dakota 4x4 extended cab V6 ($28.6k). The lot was full of them. I offered $20k. They accepted! Today it has 70k miles. Yeah, it sits a lot. Combined MPG @ 20. NOT a strong motor. @ 2008 the instrument lights started going off a minute or two after they were turned on. Never got that fixed. @ 2012 Tie rods failed. Luckily it happened just as I pulled into a Target parking space and not on the highway. Replaced tie rods & ball joints. @ 2013: Blown head gasket. Big bucks. @ 2014: Body started rusting excessively. Started in bed around driver's side wheel hump, now there's 2 big holes. Driver's side rear door bottom is rotting away. (I should have washed the underside in the winter more often. Plus, it's sits a lot, not being driven.) @ 2015: Blown head gasket. Big bucks.

I bought a 2006 Dakota several years ago. It only had 65,000km on it. Cost me almost $17,000. To date I've spent close to $8000 in repairs. I now have a problem that the dealership can't diagnose. Operating cost of this vehicle (not including gas or insurance) averages approx. $2.69/km. Imagine a100km trip costing you $269.00 and you haven't even factored in the gas or insurance to drive it. I will never buy another Dodge or Chrysler product.

The 2005 Dodge Dakota is very nice. It was in our price range and was the right size for our needs. It fits our family in its five seats with seatbelts, and plenty of space for our children. It has a cd player with am FM radio, and really nice speakers that work well. Drives straight and the engine works well. We have a smooth ride and we use it to drive back and forth to work. It also does well in the snow and has a bed and a tailgate to haul stuff. I like it, but it needs gas all the time and that costs a lot of money. I wish the car would clean its self. There are a lot of cup holders, maybe too many? Sometimes the dash lights don't come on at night, but that's ok though. We use a flashlight if necessary.

Love the Dodge Dakota. It's reliable and sturdy. Easy to drive. The 4 wheel drive is smooth. And easy 4 wheel drive switch over. Drives great in the snow when in 4 wheel. Its body shape is better than other trucks. Like the extra cab. Very roomy. Size of body is not too big. The color is different. No power windows, no power locks, and no air condition. Back end is a little light and barks tires all the time.

Good truck (2006 Dodge Dakota). Comfortable to ride in, very well built, plenty of leg room in the front. Easy to work on and fix. I like that it has a CD player and have a light in the back for the truck. Bed heated side mirrors are great in the winter. Overall it has been a great truck to own. Very happy with it. However, there have been few mechanical issues and not rust which is important living in Maine. Also, the mileage is horrible. It also ride a little on the stiff side. Would like a little more give in the suspension and I find the heater works a little too good for the small cab space. It's hard to get it warm without feeling like you're on the surface of the sun.

It's a 1998 Dodge Dakota so it has a lot of miles on it but it's the first four wheel drive I ever owned. The engine and transmission seems to be in good shape. It just needs a lot of TLC. At least it's cheap on gas and it's got a V6 engine. What I like best about it what's the price $1,500 250 down and 250 a month so it won't take long to pay it off and then I could spend some money on fixing all the little things and hopefully someday rebuild it completely. However, the thing I hate the most about it is a color ugly red color. I like Browns and greys or even black Beats red. Maybe I'll get it painted someday.

2010 was last year for Dodge Dakota, the 2011 Dakota was built by Ram. The last 5 vehicles my wife and I owned were Dakota crew cabs 4x4s, we always have a bed cover about hauling luggage and tools about working around the house, will ride 5 people comfortable, and sits lower than the 1500-2500 rams about getting older people in and out. Gets better gas mileage than the Durango, even though it was built on same frame, and you can haul gas for the mower without putting it in the cab like a SUV.