2000 Dodge Dakota 3.9

Summary:

All around nice truck

Faults:

Had to replace engine at 26000 miles. Was a lease truck, person never changed oil. Full of gunk.

General Comments:

Nice truck, but VERY BAD GAS MILEAGE!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th December, 2002

2000 Dodge Dakota 3.9

Summary:

It is a lemon

Faults:

230 miles—There was a noise coming from the rear end. They took apart the differential assembly and found ring and pinion and bearing have abnormal wear. The housing is not true. They replaced the axle assembly and transferred all needed parts.

1917 miles-- Problem with the On-Board Diagnostic system for the vehicle.

20,899 miles-- I took the vehicle in for routine transmission service. They found a rear output seal on the transmission was leaking. They replaced the seal. They found the thermostat was leaking. They replaced the thermostat gasket.

32,354 miles-- I started to have problems with the vehicle shifting into third gear. They checked the fluid and found it full. They suspected the high reverse seals were bad. The transmission was removed for inspection and found that the clutches were burnt and the seals were hard. They replaced the clutches and seals, back flushed, reassembled and road tested the vehicle.

32,354 miles-- The check engine light had come on. They checked and found code P1740. The Torque converter code. They removed the transmission and found fine metal throughout. Torque converter came apart inside the vehicle. The input shaft was scored where it rides in the pump from the metal. They replaced the input shaft, torque converter, pump, clutches and seals.

Under normal use conditions and normal maintenance service, how many miles should a transmission of this type go before you have to do major work on it? 100,000 miles? 80,000 miles? 50,000 miles? 35,000 miles?

General Comments:

If this does not justify an extended manufacture warranty, what does?

Is this the normal maintenance for this transmission? I think not.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th November, 2002

19th Oct 2004, 19:28

We purchased our 2000 durango with 44850 miles on it and a 24mo/24000mile warranty to go with it. although I firmly believe in extended warranties, 200 miles after our warranty went out my check engine light came on while I was 500 miles from home with no warranty. it is giving off the code p1740 for the overdrive selinoid. I am truly worried that the mechanic will get into the transmission and find that there are multiple problems, not just one. I spent $1380 on my extended warranty and now that it has expired, my problems are just beginning. 20/20.

2000 Dodge Dakota Sport V6

Summary:

A lemon don't buy it before you read the horrific stories on the net from people like me

Faults:

Bed was scratched upon receipt, and the seats did not move back and fourth properly. Seat levers were cracked and broken.

Power Steering hose went after 350 miles.

Steering Rack went after 17000 miles.

Tie rod broke while driving straight on the highway after 17500 miles.

Another steering rack was needed after the tie rod went.

Front Main oil seal went at 18000 miles.

Fuel Leveler malfunctioned and gas tank needed to be pulled at 34000 miles. The dealer also forgot to re-install the fuel filler hose, which I found out while I was pumping gas on the ground. They also forgot to close my hood properly and it opened on the highway! (Sullivan Bros Dodge)

34300 miles - Truck failed MA State safety inspection due to failing ball joints. Dodge stated they need to re-inspect the truck not a certified station.

General Comments:

In general I like the way the truck drives and looks, however, I would never ever recommend a Dodge product to anyone due to the way I have been treated at the Dodge dealerships. This truck has broken down more than any vehicle I have ever owned previously, and the Dodge dealerships are totally incompetent to diagnose and fix the problems. They also have tried any and all excuses to avoid fixing warranty repairs.

The morale of the story: I should have kept my 13 yr old ford, it never broke down and it was paid for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th October, 2002

7th Feb 2005, 19:36

In reference to your comments, "In general I like the way the truck drives and looks, however, I would never ever recommend a Dodge product to anyone due to the way I have been treated at the Dodge dealerships... and the Dodge dealerships are totally incompetent to diagnose and fix the problems. They also have tried any and all excuses to avoid fixing warranty repairs," I agree from experience with a new 2005 Dakota. Dodge dealers seem to be on the lower end of the spectrum when coming to repairing vehicles.