2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Sport 4X4 4.7 from North America

Summary:

Very reliable vehicle!

Faults:

In the last year my motor or tranny roars like I am in bull gear for the first mile. It then continues to downshift like I am pulling a load.

General Comments:

I have 351,000 km on this truck and have had only one repair over $500 (front drive shaft for 4X4). All other repairs have been general wear parts (tires, brakes, shocks, front end parts). Oil changed every 5,000 km. This truck owes me nothing and is still running great other than the problem mentioned above.

I believe you really need to have a V8 in this vehicle, the V6 just is not powerful enough. I test drove a couple of Dakota's with the 3.9 6 cyl and they were harder on gas and not enough power.

The engine light has been on for 290,000 km, dealer told me it was the gas cap and charged me $100.

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

Review Date: 6th June, 2010

2001 Dodge Dakota V6 from North America

Summary:

Reliable, even after 10 years!

Faults:

Actually has held up very well in all aspects over the past 10 years.

Has needed some fixes, but nothing out of the ordinary for a daily driver and business vehicle.

Only two problems out of the normal fixes:

The wiring for the speakers; one speaker does not work.

Rust is starting to appear in different places, only in the past year or 2.

General Comments:

This has been a very reliable truck, but I do have some comments on the aspects of the truck that would improve it.

The first major problem is that the thick pillars on either side of the windshield create large blind spots when doing left turns especially, and general driving.

I sit low (being 5'2) and find that this also impedes visibility when parking, etc.; however, another driver of this vehicle is 6'1 and has some trouble seeing out of the windshield because of their height.

This truck pokes along until it hits around 85-90km. and then will fly along. Before that speed it is mandatory to continuously be on the gas to keep up any speed, and it is slow to accelerate in low gears. Basically it's a slowpoke until in a higher gear.

Despite these problems, it has been a great truck, and these are things that most drivers can live with. I would buy another Dodge, however probably not another Dakota.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th May, 2010

28th May 2010, 14:13

I like seeing great reviews on the Dakota. My 2001 Dakota was my favorite truck. I loved the styling and interior. A Toyota Tundra pulled out in front of me in January 2006. The Tundra was bent double and the engine mounts broke, dropping the engine on the ground. My Dakota was drivable, and didn't even have a busted radiator, however due to both air bags deploying and hood, grill and fender damage the other party's insurance company paid me $835 less than I had paid for the truck new in 2000 and I bought a Ranger. Dodge RUINED the styling of the newer Dakotas, and I won't buy another one until they de-ugly it.

In reply to 28th May 2010, 14:13

7th Oct 2011, 22:53

I loved my 2001 so much. I had her finally like I wanted her; she was all black, chrome wheels, limo tinted windows, only 82,654 miles, self lock, self alarm, rhino bedliner, dual exhaust pipes, she grumbled so pretty... Just got rear ended 2 weeks ago, causing a hump in the bed, and the frame is in the shape of a U, insurance totaled her... I'm so sad and heartbroken; not much in maintenance had to be done to her... I agree the new ones are soooooooooooo UGLY that I wouldn't buy one of them... It's my understanding they are no longer making a Dakota any more after the year 2010...

8th Oct 2011, 12:01

Wow!! I could almost have written comment 22:53. I also owned a beautiful 2001 Dakota that I had spent a lot of time fixing up with custom accessories, detailing and sunroof. It was flawless and never required a single repair. A few years back a Toyota Tundra ran a stop sign in front of me and both vehicles were written off as totalled. Amazingly, my Dakota didn't even have a busted radiator and was still perfectly driveable, while the Toyota had been bent into a u-shape and the engine was lying on the ground underneath it. It had to be hauled away on a flatbed truck.

I also regard the new Dakota as hideously ugly, and opted to replace my 2001 with a Ford Ranger Sport.