Faults:

So far nothing major has gone wrong... just the usual routine maintenance. Just had the plugs replaced back in the spring... the only thing that is wrong is the check engine light comes on for a few days and goes off for a few days. This has been regular issue for a few months.

General Comments:

This little truck has some serious guts. Last winter it pulled a Chevy Suburban out of a snow bank without any problems... one of the best trucks I have owned.

Faults:

Ball joints and sway bars.

General Comments:

Dodge Dakotas are good trucks, but stick with the V8. I have the 3.9 V6 4x4 quad cab auto, and the performance is terrible. 0-60 time is about 15 seconds. The transmission bounces through gears extremely hard and never knows what gear it wants to be in. This is because of the lack of power from the 3.9. The truck can't hold speed on inclines or in headwind. It's only returning about 10 MPG, even though it's a dog.

Other than that, the truck is the best midsize you can get; just stick with the 5.2 or 4.7 V8s.

The truck handles decent and has a very nice ride on the highway.

The quality is not the greatest, as the interior is wearing out and the clear coat is coming off on the hood and roof.

Faults:

One thing about these trucks is the clear coat peels. Maybe it was only certain years, but mine is peeling on the roof and fenders.

Seems like everybody has replaced the ball joints on these trucks.

The oil pressure can seem low at idle, at least on mine.

Replaced the AC compressor, only because it had a squeaky compressor clutch at start up.

The stock engine is great from the factory, but the transmission could have been setup a little more aggressive. Adding a shift kit fixes that problem.

General Comments:

Everyone says these trucks are hard on fuel? I'm roughly 12.5 city / 18 highway. My opinion is that's not bad for a hot rod.

These 5.9 Magnum engines are tough, make great power and are reliable. I haven't had to touch this motor as of yet.

One thing I'll mention is that this truck has been adult owned and never abused, unlike many others. It's so much fun to drive, young people can't resist beating it.

These trucks are as close to sports car as possible. They are fast, handle well, and are low to the ground. They look bad ass... Dodge did a great job here

Faults:

There is no defrost for the back window.

When the tread on the tires get thin, the truck hydroplanes easily. I changed my tires at 40000.

General Comments:

Amazing truck, it has good acceleration and a lot of room so you're not crowded.

The stock audio system isn't the best, but if you get a system in there, it sounds nice.

Faults:

Front brake rotors had to be turned every 15000-20000 miles.

AC relay failed immediately, but never again.

Had to have it aligned 4 times in 104,000 miles.

All 4 ball joints had to be replaced at 104,000 miles.

Both studs on the back of the passenger side exhaust manifold broke at 104,000 miles, but I easily replaced them myself.

The original mileage was horrible, as low as 13.5 mpg, at about 80,000 miles it wore in and averages about 17mpg, which I still think is too low given the superior mileage of most full size trucks.

General Comments:

2 weeks after I bought it, I loaded 4 friends, 5 mountain bikes and all our stuff in it and drove from So Cal to Moab Utah, Durango Co. Sedona Az and back home. The Dakota became the duty shuttle and vacation bus there after.

The truck is the perfect size, delivers great performance, comfort and reliability, and it has never left me stranded. I've had nothing but positive comments from passengers riding front or back. I wish it had a 6 speed or at least a real 5 speed auto to improve the mileage, but I have had a great 6 year experience with it.