2006 Dodge Dakota ST 4.7L

Summary:

Hard headed mud lover

Faults:

Bought with broken tie rod, exhaust manifold obtained a crack at 34,000 miles... fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

My truck is used exclusively for farming/towing. The truck is very fast and has pulled up to 9,000 lbs on a 200 mile trip.

The truck now currently has 210,000 miles on it, and is driven approx. 60-80,000 miles a year.

These trucks are very reliable and safe. I love the design and comfort of it.

It out pulls my 1998 Dodge Ram 5.2L, and has more pep in its step.

I would recommend this year model to anyone, but not the newer ones since Fiat merged with Chrysler.

Oh, and it still drives like new.

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

Review Date: 29th March, 2010

2006 Dodge Dakota ST 3.7L V6

Summary:

Good truck for a low price

Faults:

Seats seem to stain very easily, and are somewhat difficult to clean.

Alignment may be off, vehicle pulls to the right. Checked tire pressure and they are all at factory recommended 35psi.

Nothing else has gone wrong.

General Comments:

A great truck. I wish I would have purchased one with more bells and whistles though.

I like the power rack-and-pinion steering; it's very smooth and responsive, and tracks well on the highway.

This truck also seems to get very decent gas mileage, I drive almost all highway and am getting around 20-21mpg, although it has gone down because I believe the truck to be out of proper alignment.

I like the 3.7L V6; it is a smooth engine and produces more horsepower and better mpg than my 3.9L in my 1995 Dakota ever did. I do however feel that the 3.7 could be a little bit more refined, and that Dodge should look at bumping up the horsepower on the V6 rather than just increasing the horsepower on the more thirsty 4.7L models.

Although I'll probably never buy a japanese import truck, they are offering more horsepower out of their V6 powerplants, and I feel as though Dodge is neglecting the 3.7L in favor of the more thirsty V8's.

The only complaints I really have is that the interior upholstery seems to stain very easily, and I don't really put anything in my truck that would stain it, but I can still see spots on the seats and center folding armrest.

Also the back seat is absolutely useless. Perhaps they should make an extended cab that's just a little bit more extended, so that someone could actually sit back there, and the fact that the seats in the back are separate and fold up, makes sitting back there even harder I think that a folding bench seat would at least let you stretch your legs across the length of the cab.

I'm looking forward to the 08 models; I think they look more like a truck, and I like the little refinements that Dodge is adding to them. I hope to trade mine in if I get a better paying job.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2007

24th Mar 2008, 16:00

I have the V8 with the 6 speed, 2 wheel drive with limited slip differential. Found it is very sensitive to the crown on the road. I drive mostly 2 lane hwy, and it feels like it is pulling to the right all the time -thought it was an alignment issue, but when on major highways, with no "crown" on the road, it tracks straight and true. Absolutely worst pick up truck I have ever driven in the snow -been stuck in the middle of the road, and pulled it out with my *mustang*!

Powerful truck, fun to drive, wish I could have gotten a low gear ratio in the rear axle, revs very high on highway in 6th, leading to not-so-great fuel mileage.

5th Apr 2008, 01:13

Yeah I think you're right about the alignment issue. I've noticed that at times it is straight but at other times it seems to pull. I haven't had any trouble in the snow with mine though. What kind of tires do you have on yours?

17th May 2010, 20:17

The one thing he listed above though is the 2 wheel drive; that is a bit of your problem. I'm currently looking at a Dakota with the V8 6 speed, and with where and how I have driven it, it handles very well with no pull to either side. The best part is the dealer doesn't know I that the day I took it for the full day, I used it to do some fishing and pulled my boat, which it handled with ease.

2006 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab SLT 4.7L

Summary:

Good truck if you don't need a real truck

Faults:

I've had no problems with this truck. the only thing I find questionable is the front part of the bed. this piece of metal seem very cheap and I'm not sure if its even welded because I can move it. the interior seems cheaply put together, but what isn't now a days.

General Comments:

I love having the 6 speed manual trans. I can get the tires to spin through 3rd gear which I find impressive. I stereo is better than I thought it would be. I couldn't believe it dives like a truck. I've never been big on dodge, but it drove so well and there is enough room for a couple adults to sit in the back seat. I've got the 16" wheels with bring the truck off the ground a little, but I still drive my 4x4 3/4ton suburban if it snows, it just does so much better with pulling through the snow because of the weight. with way I drive I'm only pulling about 13mpg with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th February, 2007