2002 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews

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.

1 out 1 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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Solid Truck

Written by: Dakota on 11/21/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

Overall a very reliable truck. Never had any problems w/ the drivetrain or any major mechanical issues. That said, the brakes are awful and the ball joints are junk - getting them replaced by Dodge, even with a recall, was a real hassle. Fuel economy averaged a disappointing 15mpg, and the 3.9 V6 just does not have enough power to get the heavier quad-cab moving or passing with enough authority. At highway speeds, the ride is smooth for a truck, but very noisy. Had to upgrade sound system just to hear the music. After 50k, it still runs great, but I should've opted for the V8 instead. This has been one of the most reliable vehicles I have owned, but more power is a must for a truck.

Favorite Features

Quad-cab rear door opening angle, Factory Infinity stereo system above average. Roomy interior & full size back seats (not just a plain bench). Intuitive instrument cluster & dash layout - good positioning of switches.

Suggested Improvements

More fuel economy or more power. The V6 has neither. Better sound insulation from road noise.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great buy

Written by: Tom on 07/10/2007

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport 2WD SB (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We bought this used from a private owner to replace our 1988 Dakota last November. The '88 got to where it would just die on the road. We've been very pleased with it and it hasn't given us any trouble at all, and it never gave the previous owner any trouble. It rides smooth as silk, seat is very comfortable, drives well, great truck. Plenty of space, though back seat is terrible to ride in. All in all, great buy.

Favorite Features

Storage, bed light, easy and fun to drive

Suggested Improvements

2WD has terrible traction on even a lightly damp road. I pulled out in front of someone yesterday and it started out fine but then the tires spun like nuts once I stepped on it a little more. Also roars loudly in 1st gear when the engine is cold. Transmission is a little jerky.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great Truck

Written by: Moki on 04/26/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

This truck rides like a luxury car on the highway and in the mountains it is a very stable well balanced ride. I have towed a heavily loaded 20 foot trailor over many of the mountain passes in Colorado, handling is supurb and the V6 Magnum engine has plenty of power to assend these high passes - many of them over 10,000 ft.

Favorite Features

Interior is extreamly comfortable with plenty of storage area.

Suggested Improvements

Might think about oversizing the front brakes, there have been times where it feels as though there is not quite enough braking power

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Just keep walking passed a Dodge

Written by: GI Tiger on 03/07/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

I had the V8 crew cab, nice and roomy, but to much dead space. Dodge could of had more compartments and better use of the wide open spaces. The cab would creek,moan and crackle. One of the weirdest trucks I've ever owned (5 mons). resale/trade-in was really bad. I took a $8000 bath on this one. The worst truck I ever bought, If it wasn't in the shop, it was setting because the the starter, lights, sinsors staying on or something else

Favorite Features

Powerful V8, power windows

Suggested Improvements

Piece of junk

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Fun in the snow

Written by: mopar fan on 05/24/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

Powerful toy, fun to drive in the snow. Very reliable, only complaint is slow braking power, sometimes scary. Ride is pleasant concidering that it is a truck.

Favorite Features

Engine has power to spare. Shift on the fly makes winter driving easy

Suggested Improvements

Bigger and better braking system

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Gotta love a Dodge

Written by: Andy on 03/26/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

Have been thoroughly pleased with this truck with only minor exceptions. This truck drives, handles, and tows exceptionally. I've used it to haul cars, trucks, boats, campers, and my family without fail.

Favorite Features

Engine

Suggested Improvements

The A/C system is the biggest flaw I see with this truck...not cold enough for FL heat. I'm also disappointed that the sealed front bearings on the 2wd are not covered under my 7/100 extended warranty. They are not serviceable, wear quickly and are costly to replace...$300+ ea. at dealer.

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Nice Truck/Family Car

Written by: Dean on 03/03/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

This was my first car/truck I ever purchased new (right off the showroom floor)This truck has been very good to me. The only issue I have had with it was a starter that went out however the dealer fixed under warranty and have done nothing more then change the oil, put gas in it and drive. Although the box is fairly small it had been fine for me. If you plan to hall large planks of lumber you may want a p/u with a longer bed as 5 & 1/2 foot is not all that usesfull. Fuel economy has held pretty strong around the low 20's. Expecting much more then that from a truck is not really all that practical unless your comparing to a 4cyl S-10 or Ranger.

Favorite Features

Overall the whole thing. It's an ideal truck for a young family that needs a truck to haul the larger purchases and projects. Great style and easy to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Nothing real major would like a second power outlet. Word of caution if you put ventshades on the front doors you dramatically increase a potential blind spot.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Dodge Ain't What It Used to Be

Written by: BK Lawson on 12/25/2005

Vehicle

2002 Dodge Dakota 2dr Club Cab Sport 2WD SB (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Buying this truck was the worst vehicular mistake I've ever made in my life. In the first 6 months, the truck had more problems than the last 3 vehichles I've owned all put together! What was the most shocking was Daimler/Chrysler's "We don't care!" attitude, resulting in my having to go to a lawyer to try and get some kind of satisfaction over what has been the most unreliable, annoying, untrustable truck I have EVER seen in my life! Then, of course, the warranty- there's always a way out for them so they don't have to honor it. Cheap parts, shabby construction, little to no inspection of finished product. My advice? Don't buy a Dodge truck. They sure aren't what they used to be

Favorite Features

It looks nice, sitting still and not running.

Suggested Improvements

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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