2002 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews

Horrendous Update

Written by: Bill Sohonage on 11/07/2009

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport Plus 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This is an update. Bought for 9k with 27k on it, Dec."07". 51k motor goes PING, bearings and crank need replaced. Despite meticulous attention and mobi1 1. One k over 50k warranty and dealer laughs at me. I replace crank and bearings myself, lasts another 8k and motor goes again. Replace with 30k junkyard motor and two weeks later tranny goes! In 30k miles, I've also replaced, AC Compressor, full exhaust, front hubs, power steering hoses, starter (twice!), brakes, rotors and needed to replace with over sized brake pins as the originals were worn and too loose! 4 Oxygen sensors... Oh,lets not forget the fan control module under glove box which caught fire. AHHHH

Favorite Features

Is it the serpentine belts that it seems to eat at 57 bucks a pop...or the crappy 3.9 motors I've gotten so good at changing...No I guess its the tailgate cables that are made of some special metal that rusts out more quickly then scientifically possible. Its a truly remarkable piece of garbage!

Suggested Improvements

Scrap the 3.9 motor and 46 RE transmission and pledge never to sell to unsuspecting public ever again. This truck was designed to keep transmission shops and engine re-builders in business! The tranny shops say it is their bread and butter!

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Could have been

Written by: Nate on 10/14/2009

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I've had the 4.7L for 8 years and as a whole it has been decent. I like the ride comfort, roominess of the cab, power and the 4wd in the snow. However, the front end has been painful to maintain. Seems that it always has issues whether it be ball joints, cv joints, flex hoses, calipers seizing up, various bushings needing replacement, etc. The calipers have actually seized 3 times. Crazy. Without the front-end problems this would have been the best vehicle I've ever owned. Since this is not the case, the '83 Subaru GL 4wd I had in college still reigns supreme.

Favorite Features

Ride comfort.

Suggested Improvements

Front end build quality.

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i give it 8 gold medals

Written by: kylenewc on 07/17/2009

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Not only is this the best mid size truck ever, no other comany has anything like it. powerful,fun,sound,comfort,room,and 4X4 is all amazing. to all the complainers about fuel millage, take a full size truck for a spin and tell me if its any better. the truck has given me some minor problems that about any truck would have.

Favorite Features

great truck

Suggested Improvements

no possie rear, peice of junk it breaks be prepaired, better radio(its pathetic)

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150K and still loving it. Dodge Rules!

Written by: dodgeman on 01/05/2009

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab Sport 2WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This is my first truck, and my first Dodge product. I own a Nissan car, and this has proven to be just as reliable. I purchased this with 70K on the odometer and just clicked 150,000. I love this truck. It has proven to be the most reliable vehicle ever. I've had my share of small issues like seals on the A/C compressor ($90), resistor fan switch ($50) ignition ($200) hose leaks (due to my lack of maintenance) but it has never failed to start and drive since I've owned it. These trucks do not get the respect they deserve. I have beaten this thing down (waiting 8- 9K before oil changes, never serviced tranny, differential, filters, fluids, nothing. Just brakes, oil, tires and the key.

Favorite Features

Turning radius much better than my Maxima. Stock stereo is very nice. Spacious backseat. Reliability! Smooth shifting tranny, great sound vor a V6, sounds like a muscle car. Solid build quality and fit 'n finish, amazing paint (mineral gray) simple and functional layout, under hood space.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel mileage! This was addressed with the 3.7L. Better ignition tumblers (apparently a common problem), power is kind of lacking, but it is a 4200 pound 4 door truck with a 175 horse v6. The 4.7 in this truck is amazing so that's Dodge's fix for my problem. Shoulda got a v8!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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This truck wrote the book of awesome.

Written by: Jon on 12/05/2008

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab Sport 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This truck really is great. It's really more of a people hauler, with its ridiulously massive interior that comfortably seats 5 full size adults plus a child in the front middle. Yet despite this, the 5.9L magnum has plenty of get up and go, enough in fact to send this pickup 0-60 in about 8 seconds, which isn't bad at all for a truck. It's also got plenty of torque that can pull a trailer, a bed full of whatever, and a loaded cab all at the same time. I've used it for camping, towing both cars and trailers, I've even used it to pull a tree stump out of my yard. Currently a daily driver, still going strong after about 7 years of service, only problems have been 1 or 2 recalls, nothing major.

Favorite Features

360 CI V8, 4WD, 6 seater, absolutely huge back seat, fog lamps, the sound system, full instrumentation (dash). This thing rallies around corners and burns out like mad when you plant your foot in it.

Suggested Improvements

I wish mine had leather interior, oil and tranny temp gauges would be nice, I know that there's an information system available on some of the higher end models that include a compass, fuel information(MPG, miles to 0 and so forth), outside temp. etc. Supercharge it.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Horrible Mileage then Blown Engine!

Written by: Bill on 12/03/2008

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport Plus 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this vehicle at a Dodge Dealership used for $9k with 27k on it. Changed my oil to Mobil 1 upon purchase, and regularly at 3k intervals. Worst truck I have ever owned. The 3.9L engine knocks/taps when put under load. At 32k engine light came on, code said that 2 of 4 oxy-sensors needed replaced, $96 each, did myself, 3k later the other 2 go out. Put 10k on a year, only light hauling, never towed a trailer. At 51k motor blows, with "extended" 50k warranty . Dealer gave me nothing, they wanted $3,200 for new motor (replace crap with crap!). Rebuilt myself, case full of sludge,lower bearings trashed. No space to recline seats. Can't wait to dump this 10 to 12 MPG nightmare.

Favorite Features

Exterior design, though tailgate support straps did rust and snap. You can't get a 4x8 sheet of plywood between wheels of a pickup though you can on a Caravan. But it looks pretty.

Suggested Improvements

Stop selling 3.9L it is garbage. Why does it go through serpentine belts (2 in 50k?), and oxy-sensors the way it does? Can't remove oil cap when engine is warm, what's the deal with that? Ice up the cap it will come off. Why the sludge buildup, on low mileage engine? Not an inch to recline seat.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Saying Goodbye To My Dakota

Written by: John on 08/19/2008

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab Sport 2WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I recently sold my 2002 Dodge Dakota. And I miss it already! I purchased it right off the truck in October 2001 and I fell in love with it right away. 7 years, 125,000 miles and very few repairs! The redesign and the low quality materials Mopar currently is using do not do my all-time favorite vehicle justice. I went everywhere in this truck. I got my money's worth out of it. Goodbye Dakota! (Yes, I know I'm a dork but still...)

Favorite Features

Seat Fabric, Cup holders, Bench Seat Design. V6 3.9 Magnum - Power and fuel efficiency.

Suggested Improvements

Make the new ones the way you did the old ones Dodge! With quality materials!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Good Truck

Written by: Maddog on 07/25/2008

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT 2WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Bought this truck used and it now has 115,000 miles on the 3.9 V-6. The truck does not use any oil and runs well. The 5 speed manual has nice gear spacing and is easy to use. I average 18-19 around town and 20-22 on the highway. The quad cab is useful and it does what I need it to do. Good truck Dodge!

Favorite Features

Quad Cab, mileage, handling, comfort, good engine access

Suggested Improvements

Brakes could be a bit stronger, A/C could blow a bit harder.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Solid small truck

Written by: Bryan on 04/12/2008

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Bought this truck nearly 2 years ago. It has the big V8 and so far have been pleased. Spacious interior for small truck and convenient features. Only complaints are: rough shift into overdrive (worries me it may go out, but has been that way since I bought it and hasn't failed as of yet), and POOR, POOR, POOR fuel economy. This truck averages 13-14 MPG which is terrible for a truck this size. Don't know much about the smaller V8 but should have look into it. I bought this privately and got a great deal. I have recently bought a 22' travel trailer and the Dakota pulls it well. So far it's everhying I wanted, with the exception of the large fuel bills.

Favorite Features

Easy access to front and rear seats with quad cab. Good performance on dry, wet, mud, and snow conditions. Great towing with big V8. Fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Fuel economy. Fuel economy. Fuel economy. Fuel economy. Transmission, no problems yet but rough shift into overdrive worries me.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Geat Truck

Written by: Bryan on 01/20/2008

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 2dr Club Cab SLT 2WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I have the 3.9L v6 with 87k mi on it. No major problem as would be expected for a truck with this much mileage. Only problem is from time to time the evap system triggers the check engine light, a trip to Autozone fixes that. Gas mileage could definitely be better. I drive approx 20 miles a day to work, and bought the truck when I went to school right down the street. Most fun to drive of any other vehicle I've owned. For a truck with this much power it is still easily driven in inclement weather if you know what you are doing, if not you're in trouble quickly. Another bad feature is the the center console was designed for the automatic and they didn't change it for the manual, can get in way

Favorite Features

Comfort: I have never felt more comfortable driving any vehicle. The stick has a very comfortable throw to it. It is longer than my friends vehicles and I would not have it any other way. It seriously feels as if the truck was made for somebody of my size. (6'3", muscular build). Very study build too

Suggested Improvements

Change the center console to accommodate for the manual transmission. I don't like how I have a cup holder I can't use.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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