Faults:

Nothing mechanical. The car was barely driven by the older couple who previously owned it. So it has been garaged much of the time.

The paint job has deteriorated rapidly, as the truck has been exposed to the elements. Beyond that, there is a little rust developing on the doors, but a little rust is expected on a 24 year old truck.

General Comments:

This has been one of the better vehicles I have ever owned. The truck still routinely getting 19 MPG highway. This is excellent for an older truck with a full sized bed. The hauling capacity is really impressive for a truck that drives like a car.

The other thing that astounds me is that the electrical system on this truck has held up over the last 24 years. The truck has every option available during that model year, and nothing has failed over the years. Astounding considering the problems that show up in Dodges in the years following this model year.

Faults:

The valve cover gaskets went at about 196000 miles.

Still a small oil leak.

Other than that, just general wear.

General Comments:

This truck is probably the most reliable vehicle I have ever driven. She purrs like a kitten, but would bark like a bulldog if you had to get on it.

Faults:

One of the original radiator hoses blew in 2010 at approximately 146,000 miles.

General Comments:

This is an awesome truck if you need to get around and do some work. My Dakota has had less things wrong with it than my mom and dad's 2002 Grand Caravan.

Great bed space for carrying long things.

Good power.

Only bad remark is a loud cabin.

Faults:

Valve cover gasket was first replaced at 34,000, than again at 91,000. I just changed it again at 180,000.

The starter was replaced at 139,000.

The radiator at 167,000.

The muffler at 172,000.

General Comments:

This has too be one of the most dependable vehicles I have ever owned. It still has the original clutch.

I still average over 27mpg, and I drive vehicle an average of 70 mph.

It is not the powerful machine, but it does a great job.

I live in the Northeast and it has no rust; the only time it is in a garage is when it gets maintenance.

Faults:

Rear transmission seal leaked at 90,000 miles.

General Comments:

This truck has pulled more trucks out of snow banks than a tow truck.

Faults:

My starter began having some difficulty at about 135,000 miles.

Brakes wore, had to replace.

General Comments:

This is my "first car" and it does everything I ask of it. The truck has never died on me except for twice when I left the off-road lights on. Otherwise it starts right up every time. It was used as a work truck before I bought it about a year ago for $2500. The only absolute parts that needed replaced were the starter and the brakes. I can't really blame Dodge for that, because the truck was getting old anyways.

Since I have owned my Dakota Sport I have made quite a few upgrades. Here is a basic list: Starter, brakes, wheels, tires, air intake, air filter, oil filter, floor mats, steering wheel cover, bed liner, tool box in bed, new white paint, new stereo system, new speakers, window tint and eyelid, dash cover, removed some of the Dakota sport and Dodge decals, new shifter, etc.

The only complaints I have about my Dakota Sport are that the interior is small, with little room for storage and things like that.

Also, I don't like the bench seat.

Other than that I can't really complain. It's been good to me, and I try to do the same.