2002 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.9

Summary:

Nice blend of size, power and function

Faults:

Serpentine belt tensioner.

Transmission belt.

General Comments:

Have loved the truck for a while.

Drove the 4.7 version, and not enough power for the gas mileage.

Drove mine many miles over a span of years, and the 2 issues I had were nothing more than you'd expect for 71k of miles in 4+ years.

Nice size for handling, and great power to weight ratio with this engine!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th January, 2009

2002 Dodge Dakota SLT 4.7 V8

Summary:

I would buy another one in a heartbeat!

Faults:

Nothing.

Had the recall done on the front ball joint.

General Comments:

I love this truck. It's a very comfortable truck. It has enough muscle to get the job done. It handles pretty well too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 2008

28th Jul 2008, 04:37

I agree this is my second one and I would buy another. I love my Dakota.

2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Sport 2WD 3.9 V6

Summary:

There are not enough words to describe how great my Dakota is!

Faults:

Brake rotors needed to be replaced at 100,000.. which is normal I feel.

And there is a faint squeak when shifted into reverse.

General Comments:

Other than than that, nothing has gone wrong.

I have replaced the seals on the AC and replaced the TPS only because I wanted to.

The truck has never been in the shop, and has never been undrivable 1 day in the 3 years and 1 month I've owned it.

I absolutely love this truck, I have only owned Toyota's my whole life, and I was very apprehensive to buy my first American. This truck has an excellent build quality, interior materials are top notch, and nothing squeaks or gives when pushed on.

The stock stereo is very nice, and the seats are very comfortable. It has a very smooth and comfortable ride, with car like handling and turning radius. The back seat is very roomy and I love the adjustable cup holders. It's simply a pleasure to drive.

It's a bit on the slow side with the V6, but the transmission is so buttery smooth, and with the variable 2nd gear, it does a very good job of accelerating, and it gets decent city mileage... I average 16 city and 18-20 highway.

The only reason for the 9 in running costs is fuel, because other than oil changes and 1 set of tires I have spent only $742.00 in over 3 years on maintenance. I must say that I do not take care of the engine or tranny as I should... no engine cleaning, rarely change fluids, do not perform tune-ups, and no tranny or rear end services, and it just continues to run like new.

The AC blows ice cold, and continues to blow ice cold even when I let the truck idle in hot and humid South Florida. I could go on for days... plain and simply, I love it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th June, 2008

2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab V6

Summary:

A pretty piece of junk, that was worth "maybe", $5k brand new

Faults:

Wow, where do I start...

Brakes grinding, noticed while in the drive thru at 2k miles, dealer tried to charge me $800.00 plus until I made a observation in the lobby & asked how many here for bad brakes? Little did I know that many hands would go up... then a manager took me in his office & agreed they are defective. I think most of those seniors got suckered.

Wind noise (WHISTLING!) thru front windshield & drivers rear. Started slamming into gear, & all dealer ever said was "working as designed" so I went 90 plus miles to another dealer & all I got was "working as designed".

Sold it with 2 K miles left on warranty, & when I took off my top dollar sheepskins, the seats looked like a 450lb. person sat in them for a WHILE! They were falling apart... I'm 5' 10" 180lbs.

It was definitely the biggest mistake of vehicle ownership.

General Comments:

I thought it looked good, while it slammed into gear. p.s. when I handed the cashiers check over for 24K plus, the guy who took it said "It's yours now". I let it roll off, not quite sure what he meant... 2K miles later, those words started to haunt me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th February, 2008