1996 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews

All in all, a great deal at $8900

Written by: Darren on 06/26/2009

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Standard Cab SB

Review

Bought this truck in 98 for $8900. Paid off in 4 yrs and drove maintenance free (virtually) for another 6 years. Replaced the fuel pump at 100k miles. Replaced engine computer just after that. Engine light still comes on but dealership cannot figure out why. Truck runs great. Air still cold and it always cranks. Needs paint now but I'm debating whether to put anymore money in it. May use it for Cash for Clunkers bill just signed. Best car purchase I've ever made. not sure how to get it to pass inspection now that check engine light keeps coming on but have a few months to figure that out.

Favorite Features

Reliability, no question. For the money, you cannot beat this truck. V6 is strong - has always pulled whatever I have wanted. Two scoops of mulch barely slows it down.

Suggested Improvements

Sure does ride rough when compared with other trucks in it's class.

Report inappropriate post

Significantly better than I expected.

Written by: Jack on 03/10/2009

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT Extended Cab SB

Review

I got this truck for utility functions in addition to going to work and back. The engine purrs like a kitten, which truly amazes me. The tranny (auto) is a little slow to shift in extreme cold, but warm her up and she does just like you'd want. I replaced the brakes in their entirety and all 4 shocks (Rancho). It handles like new... and I got it at a great price. The heat is a little weak when it gets cold, but otherwise, you will have a hard time finding such a wonderful truck at such a great price. I'd drive this thing over a same aged Toyota any day. The engine sounds just like new and I have 113,000 miles on it. It has minor leaks, but, not enough to require servicing between maintenance

Favorite Features

The V-6 Magnum has to be one of the best engines ever made. HEMI sounds cool, but this baby is sweet. The handling is well above average, but as I mentioned, I put Ranchos on & Raybestos rotors (which are now made in China-thanks for nothing) and some US Goodyear Fortera Silent Armor's (love these!)

Suggested Improvements

The bench seats were a mistake. The dash looks a little 70's like... but it's a '96, but it's a reliable instrument panel. The people who designed the second row of seats did not love their children. I just use that area for cargo as a kid would crack their head every speed bump.

Report inappropriate post

Great Truck

Written by: laxman84 on 01/31/2009

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

Awesome truck. Got it for an extremely low price five years ago. Has lasted 13 years of Wisconsin winters and only has a bit of rust under the passenger side door, which is quite an accomplishment. Made it to Colorado and back, and almost kept up with the Wranglers on the Jeep trails. Starts every time I need it to, no matter the temperature. Two weeks ago, -17, -15, -27, -2, and -19, and it started each morning. Little things have been going wrong, 4X4 light doesn't come on (but 4X4 stills works), cigarette lighter is busted, parking brake cable needs a replacement, and AC is out, but that is to be expected with a old truck. All in all, my next vehicle will be a Dakota

Favorite Features

Power, reliability, extremely well built

Suggested Improvements

Turning radius is a joke, cup holders are in a bad spot, acceleration is lacking above 50 MPH

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Best truck ever made

Written by: BlAcK wIdOw on 11/05/2008

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT Extended Cab SB

Review

My father bought this truck in 2002, my uncle got it after he died, and I recieved it almost 2 years ago. This truck has been put through its paces. It was an escort truck, hauling truck, towing people, wrecked twice (haven't had the money to fix it yet), it has 200,000 on her and still going strong. The only things replaced is the regular maintanance. Other than the headlight which happens to be a tin can since that area is caved in. The most durable and reliable truck ever.

Favorite Features

Power, handling, everything

Suggested Improvements

A little more MPGs wouln't hurt.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

the best first truck

Written by: james tucker on 08/19/2008

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport 4WD Standard Cab SB

Review

I enjoyed my dodge Dakota truck and driving it where every I need to go. It has been dedicated to me and my family for 12 years. I want to restore it back to first look and more. Thank dodge for making a great truck.

Favorite Features

The output of the motor

Suggested Improvements

interior need sum improvement

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

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

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

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

Report inappropriate post

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.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

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

Report inappropriate post

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.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post