Owners' Reviews

I have owned my 2000 dakota 4x4 4.7L for 9 yrs. It has 153,000 miles on it. It was bulletproof until it hit approx. 125,000 miles. The 1st 6 yrs were great. However, the last 3 yrs has been back and forth work to keep this truck running. I used to take it to the river but its not too trustworthy anymore. I will say this: This 4WD is the best one that I have owned, when it's running!

Dealers don't have repair parts to fix backup lights. Can't get a state inspection sticker until sometime next year. Am disabled and can't get to my doctors or to the ER if I need to, without a legal vehicle.

contacted seller and manufacturer about rust with in 3 yrs of owning truck. I was told was normal.In 2011 took truck back to dealer who again told me rusting was normal, and not abnormal, and they could not do anything until it perfurated thru while under warrenty. Local body shop tells me its not normal and that by the end of winter I will have holes thru body of truck around doors and fenders and the bumbers could fall off. and the core frame has started to rust thru. And I am out of warrenty with truck paid off. Im very upset.. to think $24,000. bought a rust bucket that I as a single mother of a three yr. old will have to drive until I can afford to purchase another. Im disappointed how the dealer and the Manufacturer treated this problem. Now I have lost faith in American Made vehicles..At least Toyato took there responsibility and repaired or purchased back the vehicles they sold.

ive had my 1994 dodge dakota for 6 years now it has the 3.9 v6 2wd and i wouldnt never trade it off for anything its got 210k and ive never turned one bolt on the motor except for a water pump. the best truck ive ever owned and the motor runs just as smooth as my 2009 nissan. drive it daily and the only way to beat the motor down would be to run it without oil or something.

air condition belt broke and everything stop work and running hot

No need for me to say much about my dakota 4x4. It has the 318cu that you have to shoot to end its reliability. Although it now has some issues I just turned 223K miles and it still runs like its shot out of a canon when I tromp on the gas pedal. Best truck I've ever owned Thank you "Dodge City" Warren MI

I bought a 91 Dodge 1500 LE 318 ci new and had very few problems with it. I ran it to 205,000 miles and traded it in on a 2001 3.9 Dakota, big mistake. The Dakota is a good truck but, it's not as comfortable as the 1500. Both vehicles had a problem with the paint, after 4 or 5 years the paint deteriorates. The Dakota had 1 recall for the ball joints. I bought the Dakota thinking a smaller truck would get better mileage but, it only gets about 1 mpg better than the V8. Next time I'll get the full size Ram with a hemi V8 as I don't drive as much as I used to and the new hemi's get decent mileage now.

I've owned my truck for about 10 years it is a 1992 Dodge Dakota LE V6 this truck has served me well numerus trippes to the dump over the years it's value hs not dropped much, sense I purchased it. Really any majore repairs just, I had the transmission overhauld at about 100,000 miles then just regular oil changes and tuneups. This truck is great.

I freakin love this truck. Bought it off my grandpa for $500 summer 07, 116k miles. Now spring '11, almost 150k and engine still running strong- 180hp V6 beats my boyfriend's 410hp supercharged V8 2001 Tundra off the line but he's got me on top speed. Hauled about 1000lbs in the bed thru the NC/TN mountains like it was nothing, Drove nonstop loaded down 26hrs from NC to CO when I moved and it had no problem, didnt even come close to overheating. Yes its old and it still needs work and a serious paintjob, but its so easy to work on I've been able to replace everything myself except the catalytic converter and the clutch with nothing more than a haynes manual and advice from the guys at advance auto. No special tools, no taking to a dealer to plug into a computer for trouble codes, and parts are so cheap I can afford performance parts. NC taxes on it are pocket change ($8 and change last year! lol), and insurance is definitely affordable. 2stars for body/interior because previous owners didnt take care of it and it could use a serious facelift, and bench seat is uncomfortable after 2+hrs, (no prob during long trips in family car). 4stars for brakes only cuz rear are drums, I replaced everything (except master cylinder) a couple months ago for $500 including calipers pads drums springs shoes and lines. Performance parts up front, store-brand in the back. No electrical problems whatsoever yet so 5stars for that. 5stars for engine, reasons stated above. Barely smokes in below zero weather once its warmed up, never failed a test so 5stars for emissions. Mine didnt come with a/c, and heater coil burned out winter 2009, and air still comes thru vents at highway speeds even when fans are off so 3 stars for heating/air. Turning radius kinda sucks, and ride can be rough when bed is empty, but struts are still original so suspension/steering will get 4 when I replace those with off-road quality. Bottom line- love it, love it, love it, and even when the engine finally goes, i'll still replace it and keep driving it til the floor rusts out from under my feet. And then I'll replace that too! Lol

I bought my Dakota with 53k miles on it in Feb 2007. I have had no problems with it until last year when the front right caliper started freezing and the tstat went. I love this truck! It has giddyup, plenty of power, great in snow and mud, hauls building material, fits five comfortably. I am selling mine now and only because of the gas mileage and its age with over 128k on it.

I bought my 1993 Dodge Dakota 6 cylinder 3.9 almost a year ago and have never been happier with a used vehicle. I can not stop myself from saying out loud that, " I fricken love this truck" nearly every time I drive it. I have had to do the little things, serpentine belt, plugs & wires, cap & rotor, nothing big. I am certainly no mechanic, but have had no problem working on this truck. The engine compartment is spacious and the little things, like, not a spark plug that you cannot get to, make it even more lovable. I have even started doing my own oil changes at home just to spend quality time with a vehicle that is so good to me. 156,000 miles and runs like a champ! The only complaint I might have is that it makes wide right turns.

I bought this truck in 1994 with 29 miles on it. It now has 210,000 miles and is running strong. The body still looks like new except for a few small rust bubbles. This is not bad for 10 years in Minnesota and 6 years in Colorado. The brakes work great with normal maintenance. There is no problem with the drive train and it is original. No problem with the electrical and exhaust. The engine runs like a top. Starts great. The 2 problems that I have had with it are the a/c that went out at about 130,000 miles and I have put 4 sending units for the fuel pump in it. There is no doubt that I was truely blessed when I bought this truck.

good mid size truck....

Looks good, interior good, 6 has no power gear ratio feels wrong cant drive it on the interstate cant pull a small hills and for get the big hills. Highway gas milage poor, loose ball joints already at 75,000. Good for local driving only!

I love the truck but the MPG is killing me I know get 9.2 MPG when I first got the truck I was getting 13 MPG I have the Quad Cab 4 x 4. Anything anyboday can suggetst I would really help me out

Great truck.

2000 Quad Cab 4x4 with 4.7 L Great truck. Bought it from my father who bought it new and did all maintenance on it through the dealership. Currently has 170,000 on it and no major problems. Has gone through 3 sets of tires (oe goodyears @ 40,000; michelin xcx/apt @ 120,000; current bridgestone dueler revos), 3 sets of ball joints, 3 sets of shocks, original transmission (kinda rare at this mileage for these vehicles) with 4 fluid exchanges, rear pinion seal is starting to go out but not that bad yet, developed a lower end knock in the motor around 130,000 and has just been getting slowly worse when cold (goes away when warm). 4 wheel drive works like a dream, I love the 'Four on the Fly' transfer case. Good power, although its been getting a little weaker with its higher mileage. Original exhaust except for the muffler which I put on a Flowmaster @ 135,000. Would recommend to anyone needing a truck that is capable of full-size performance in a mid-size package. Just remember there is a lot more to maintain on these vehicles than on a 4 cylinder car; Do the maintenance and she'll easily last you through 200,000.

Had this truck for 3 years now. Very well maintained since new. Had no issues until just recently, at only 88k miles, the head gasket blew. After fixing, I decided to sell & buy a Toyota.

I used to love this truck, but since it hit 90,000 miles, I have had to replace the PCM three times...and it still just randomly stalls. Many times the truck will just crank right back up and run fine for a day or two before it starts turning itself off again...even at highway speeds. I have had over $3k in repairs replacing everything...but to no avail. The truck now has 105,000 miles on it of which only 17k miles have been put on it in the last 3 and a half years. Truck still looks great and has been well taken care of, but keeps shutting off no matter how much I spend trying to get it fixed. Any suggestions?

Bought this truck with less than 60,000 miles on it in 2008. In great condition, was garage kept. It runs like a charm, decent smooth ride, comfortable front seats, enough room for small kids in back seat, but could only fit a booster seat not a full car seat back there.

I bought this truck (3.9 V-6) with 74,000 miles several months ago and have put 6,000 miles on it and absolutely no problems. It is the best truck I have ever owned and use it just about every day. The previous owner did all the maintenance so I should be able to enjoy it for a long time.

I have had this 01 Dakota 4X4 Club Cab since 02. It is my 3rd Dakota and I like it much better than the 1997 or the 1992 that I had. Those were V6's this is the V8, 4.7 is a good engine, good MPG. I just replaced the original tires at 56,000 miles. Still has the factory brakes front and rear. I just replaced the oxygen sensor and the MAP sensor and the battery. That is all that I have done too it. My only concern now is that the AT has a "skip" between 1st and 2nd gear. It has been there for sometime and does not seem to be getting worse. Still looks new and I have only used the 4 wheel drive 4 times since I purchase it. We don't get the snow that we use too here in Northern Virginia. I will buy another Dakota.........

good truck for long trips. good highway miles handles vary well.

At 50k I replaced: tires the brake pads I've installed K&N air filter and Bosch Platinum 4 spark plugs. About a month ago the cam shaft and the crank shaft sensors vent bad 400$, #2ingnition coil replacement was 35$. Belt replacement coming too. Paint is very sensitive. Body dents very easy. Factory speakers sounds like you have a bucket on them later upgraded with Infinity speakers now the whole door panel rattles. I have broken the parking brake release 18$ and once I have slammed the glove compartment door a little harder and the opening mechanism broke inside replacement was 50$. Idles a little rough. And the tranny are slow. I may going to have some problems with my differential. Highway I do 20mpg city about 15-16mpg. Truly impressive towing. Pretty spacious inside also the rear door opens wide which is a plus. Easy access of the engine compartment as you will going to spend lots of time on it. Also when turning the wheel all the way it makes a worrying noise. It's not that bed of a truck but it's got some issues. My conclusion is the engine could produce more power but the tranny are too slow. If somehow the shift timing could be reprogrammed the mpg would be better and it would produce a quicker vehicle. The single most annoying element is the all around plastic inside. The bed could be bigger a few inches.

Purchased w/ 32,000 miles and now has 86,000 miles. Problems are: PCM went dead, crankshaft sensor went out and now pressure sensor going out in tranny. Special order part takes 5 days and now I am w/o a truck. Good truck, to many sensors that go bad.

4x4 HD v8. AC failed at under 100K. Current mileage 204,000. original engine/trans. No major drive train problems. Radio failed at about 100K. Mechanically very reliable. Steering very loose since about 125K.