1996 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews

DODGE Dakota

Written by: Ford lover on 06/12/2008

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

Owned the truck 6 months, first dodge I ever bought. My dad talked me into buying it. I learned 2 things from this truck. 1. I will never buy a dodge and 2. when the check engine light comes on, it's junk. Get rid of it. I have put more money into this truck than i did my 300.00 1988 ranger that has 300,000 Miles. I really do hate this truck.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Everything

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Amazing after 12 Years

Written by: brasky98 on 06/08/2008

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Standard Cab SB

Review

Received this truck after wrapping a Toyota around a telephone pole... This truck is amazing with its reliability. Turn the key and it starts right up. Gets me to work 5 days a week and hauls drywall, mulch or gravel the other 2. The worst I have had to do is complete brakes 3 years ago. Engine is strong, tranny tight, gets me where I need to be. Only dings, dents or rust is what I've caused. I'll drive this baby until the wheels fall of. Probably will subsidize her with a new sedan here in a month or two but its about time. 12 years and still running strong!

Favorite Features

Reliability, Payload, did I mention the reliability? Cost of ownership is negligible at worst...

Suggested Improvements

Headliner failed, cup holders can be a kneebanger (if that's the worst, who cares..)

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A great truck -The 1996 Dodge Dakota

Written by: Mike on 04/19/2008

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Standard Cab SB

Review

My wife and I have owned our Dakota since September of 1995 when we bought it new. I will drive it 'til the day it dies , and I don't think that will be any time soon! It has been a SUPER truck! I have hauled all sorts of things in it, gone on vacation in it,driven it to work daily for years and it has never let me down. It has 132,000 miles on it, burns NO oil and runs as well as the day we drove it off the lot! Not counting oil changes and tires, I have probably spent less than 500 dollars in repairs and upkeep in all those years! If you need a great light to medium duty truck for daily use, if you can find one in good shape that has been well maintained , you can't go wrong here!

Favorite Features

Reasonably comfortable, hauls more than an S-10 or a Ranger (by far), requires only basic upkeep, and is dependable as the sunrise!

Suggested Improvements

A little more cab room would be great for carrying groceries behind the seat, that's about it... it's a great truck and gets good gas mileage, which at $3.50 gal. is critical.

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This truck rocks

Written by: sydbarrett1970 on 02/27/2007

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Standard Cab SB

Review

I've had my '96 sport 2.5 4 cyl. for 4 years now, bought it when it had 103,000 miles on it, one previous owner, and let me you, this truck is seriously well built. Dodge apparantly used an engine that was unique to all the other Dakotas of the period, (at least for the 4 cyl model), a motor designed for Jeep, it was originally designed by a collaboration of engine makers, (Renault, Chrysler, and maybe a third party?) Anyway, anyone I have ever talked to says the same...this truck is really built to last. One person I spoke with said he sold his when it had 300,000 on it and it still ran strong. I absolutely love mine.

Favorite Features

Peppy 2.5 liter magnum is quick. It's dependability. I am a flooring installer who typically carries alot of weight to my jobs and have been doing so with my truck since I bought it and this truck has no problems whatsoever with really bulking it down. I suggest LT's or RT's for the tires though.

Suggested Improvements

None

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Never let you down.

Written by: broadripple1 on 08/28/2006

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Standard Cab SB

Review

I bought this truck on Ebay, and thought I got stuck with a lemon. The gas guage does not work, but on everything else, my initial impression was flat wrong. This vehicle is a low maintenance winner. It hauls everything (bricks, lawn tractor, boards, etc), including long distance, and other than the normal maintenance, I have not spent an extra dime on this truck in four years of ownership. It's simple to operate, and I'll keep it forever.

Favorite Features

If you want a good work truck at a great price, this is it. It won't let you down. Great value.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the gas guages. The periwinkle color does not work on a truck. Always looking to get better MPG. I get 20 consistently with a 6 cylinder. Not bad, but they can do better.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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10 years and still kicking

Written by: John on 03/05/2006

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

I have owned this truck since new and will not be getting rid of it any time soon. The 1996 Dakota is a true mid size with all the guts of a full size. The v6 I have pulls and hauls as well as any small 8, and wile fuel milage around town is not great (who buys a truck for fuel mileage?) open road mileage is in the 20 mpg range. Over all I am very happy with my '96, both in performance and style. Just try to find a truck with chrome on both ends these days.

Favorite Features

The over all look of the truck. It looks like a truck, boxy but not so much that it doesnt have style.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Reliable

Written by: Reggie on 01/25/2006

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Extended Cab SB

Review

Bought my Dakota new in 1996, has 140,000 on it and still going strong. Uses no oil to speak of and has not given me any problems other then the poor quality interior. Comfort is great considering I'm 6'6". Gas milage could be better, could use a split heat defrost option. Exterior is holding up to Maine winter very well considering the truck was purchased in Arizona. Does very well in the snow for a 2wd, I use a 70 lb sand bag in the bed and good all season tires, so far no problems. Probably the best vehicle I have ever owned.

Favorite Features

Comfort, ride and good arrangement of dash and controls.

Suggested Improvements

Interior is falling apart, plastic breaks around screws and trim is cracking and breaking. Dash lights and speedometer short out after about 200 miles of continues travel. Add a split heat/defrost option.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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My Baby

Written by: Greg Svatora on 12/04/2005

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT Extended Cab SB

Review

Purchased truck in high school, drove through college, now married and still running. Truck is amazing in all weather. Only minor problems over 110,000 miles, including the standard crap Dodge transmission. I mostly drive unloaded but tow cars probably 1500-2000 miles/yr and it works great. Can't wait to get some money to put some performance stuff in her. I get great mileage, 20 mpg with the 5.2L on straight highway miles, 16-17 on normal driving. Little tip...Firestone Destination LE tires are amazing on this truck.

Favorite Features

EVERYTHING. Quick, powerful, reliable, good ride for a truck, easy to manuver...just awesome.

Suggested Improvements

Stronger transmissions but I think Dodge may have finally figured that out. Wish mine had factory fog lights, but thats just a luxury.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great truck!

Written by: Dave on 08/28/2005

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB

Review

I've had my '96 Dakota for 8 years, and it still looks and runs great with 98,000 miles on it. I've replaced the water pump and the A/C system (I live in Florida), and I've made cosmetic repairs to the interior. The 4 cyl. engine does not burn or leak oil, and the 5-speed transmission shifts smoothly and is fun to drive. The original factory white paint still looks great. I drive it almost every day, and it is still excellent transportation. With the tough plastic bed liner, this is a VERY rugged and dependable truck!

Favorite Features

5-speed manual transmission. Rugged plastic bed liner. Quality of body design & build.

Suggested Improvements

Quality of interior trim pieces. Tachometer would be nice with manual transmission.

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Excellent Choice

Written by: Dallas on 07/29/2005

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Standard Cab SB

Review

I bought my Dakota with 182,000 miles on it. The exterior was in great condition and it was a steal at $1,900. I lived in Maine for two years through the rough winters and my abusive driving. The truck really kept itself together. I did minor repairs and spent roughly $400 dollars on it, but never had to do repairs on the engine. I sold it to a friend for $1,100 dollars and I just talked to him recently. Its still going strong with 265,000 original miles! All he's done is oil changes. I had the best times of my life in that old truck and I'm searching everywhere to find another one. 2wd 3.9 v6 magnum 5 speed sports are fun and dependable. I wont buy another Ford again.

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage, 25 or better. Good "get up and go" Roomy bed.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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