1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 3.9

Summary:

Was a lemon from the start, and can't wait to pay it off so I can deal it in

Faults:

Catalytic converter gone at 29000km.

Catalytic converter gone at 49000km.

Catalytic converter gone at 95000km.

Front bearings gone at 40000km.

Clutch fan replaced twice once at 32000 and second at 125000km.

Fourth catillic converter gone at 187000km and a mechanic discovered that a bolt was broken at the manifold to the engine and there was a 1/4" gap.

Now we are unable to keep it running and sill stall as soon as you take your foot off the gas.

General Comments:

The box is a whopping 8 foot and it will hold 2 motorcycles or a load of wood as we do a little woodworking business on the side.

The truck will boogie when it gets on an open highway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd December, 2002

1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2 V8

Summary:

Mine was a lemon

Faults:

I had to replace the brakes 3 times in 50,000 miles.

U-joint replaced at 30,000 miles.

I repainted the front bumper every year.

Transmission was going bad when I traded it in.

General Comments:

The V8 pulled pretty good.

I do believe the truck was a lemon.

Nice looks.

Owned other Dakotas with the V8 4wd setup and never had a problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th January, 2002

1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4 5.2

Summary:

Fine!

Faults:

Steering column.

Paint peeled off the front bumper.

Catalytic converter went out.

Rear differential.

Lighter.

2 factory recalls.

General Comments:

I love this truck, it looks great and never left me stranded, but it's starting to cost for upkeep since the warranty is up, so it's time for a new Ford F-150 4x4.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th May, 2001

9th Dec 2003, 11:11

I own a 1997,v-8, Dodge Dakota. I love the way the car looks & the way it drives. This is the first American made car I have purchased in 30 years & it will probably be the last.

At 40,000 miles I had major carburetor problems, which cost me big bucks & now at 77,000 miles I am having to have upper & lower ball joints replaced on the truck's front end. I am extremely concerned about what's next.

9th Dec 2003, 11:52

Carburetor?!?! On a 1997? Doesn't that seem a bit odd to you?

Automakers stopped using carburetors arounds 1983 and up.. The frequently need tuneups, repairs, and just aren't fuel-efficent..

6th Jul 2004, 15:24

If you think your truck has a carburetor, I question anything you say because you have no idea what you're talking about. Welcome to the 21st century!

20th Jun 2011, 10:53

Jeep used carburetors up until 1990, GM also used them on their Jimmy/Blazer/S10/S15s until the mid to late 80s.

A 1997 would be fuel injected so it has a throttle body on top of the motor. This can be confused for/referred to as a carburetor if you're not a car person and understand how carburetors and fuel injection systems work.

1997 Dodge Dakota 4x4 Club Cab 5.2 318 V8

Summary:

A four wheeler's dream and a chick magnet

Faults:

The only things that have gone wrong with my truck are the water pump after 60,000 miles and my constant velocity joint was tweaked due to off road activities.

One other thing happened. The adapter bracket on the brake system broke off, also due to playing in the dirt.

General Comments:

All and all I can't say enough good things about my truck. I love it. The large engine provides more than enough power for any four wheeling adventure.

This truck turns a lot of heads due to about 7 inches of lift and 35 inch mud tires. Because of the tires and the lift the ride suffers and so does my gas mileage, but for what I do with it, it is well worth it. I would recommend this truck anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd April, 2001

1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 3.9 V6

Summary:

Good looking but don't judge a book by its cover

Faults:

Power rack went 2 times, fixed under warranty.

Dash vent stopped working - heat or A/C.

Brake rotors on the front warped 3 times.

The plug for the block heater blew out of the side of the engine block at highway speed.

The cup holder blew apart into about 10 pieces.

General Comments:

The transmission does not have a firm up shift for a truck, it also won't go into overdrive on cold mornings until it "warmed up". My gas mileage suffered because of this.

The motor didn't have enough grunt to pull anything let alone get the truck down the road. Guess I should have got a V8.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th April, 2001

2nd Jun 2001, 07:55

Lets see, the guy has a piece of crap as he called it, yet he kept it for more then 3 years, yeah right. If it was as bad as he says it is, he should have got rid of it.

5th Jun 2001, 01:47

The reason why I had the truck for three years was because I leased it as a work truck. I could not afford to break the lease at the time. All repairs were done under warranty, it was just a pain to have the truck in the shop when it should have been out working.

1st Jul 2001, 10:19

98 Dodge Dakota 99k+miles. Broken light switch. What more could you ask for?

18th Aug 2001, 20:42

I love my Dakota. Broken oxygen sensor, but welcome to the world of oxygen sensors (4 cars, 4 oxygen sensors).

Anyway, I had a little ping problem that went away after a warranty trip, and mid grade gas.

This truck is no speed demon, but if I wanted that, I would have bought a Viper. Too bad they can't tow.

Love the truck, very reliable.

1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2 V-8

Summary:

Great truck

Faults:

The only problem I had with my Dakota was that it would not run when the battery was low. All it needed was a new battery and the thing has been perfect.

General Comments:

This truck has been great. It has over 124000 miles on it and has not needed anything but TLC. The only things that have needed to be replaced were the brakes and a couple sets of rubber. If it was only better on gas it would be a gem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th March, 2001

23rd May 2008, 21:56

Mine has 160000 and I think the motor is just getting broken in. Magnum motors are bulletproof and will last a long time as long as you take care of them. But with gas hitting the $4 mark I may have to downsize : (

1997 Dodge Dakota

Faults:

Nothing, my boyfriend drives this truck very hard. It has 40,000 miles on it, part of which has come from mud slinging and spinning the positraction. He has changed the oil a lot. It is hard to do and he has changed the spark plugs a few times. It gets about 13 miles to the gallon but he drives fast.

General Comments:

The best truck in the world. Better than Chevy's and Ford's. Lots of cab room. Nice interior and durable.

Buy one for yourself!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th October, 1998