2003 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews Page 2

Dakota drives and tows just fine

Written by: gretjns on 08/14/2006

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I purchased my 2003 Dakota new and have used it to tow a pop-up camper (3500-4000lbs) all over the midwest and points N&S. Minimal & routine service until 60k miles when f&r main seals had to be replaced along with AC head, thermostat, and a front wheel bearing which was loose. Otherwise it's been a dream. Drives great, lots of interior room and cargo capacity. Handles well and looks great. Extended warranty is a lifesaver. I'll buy another when I wear this one out.

Favorite Features

Hard tonneau. Car ride. Towing capacity. Price, Trip computer - I love the built in compass, thermometer, gas mileage, miles till empty.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage. Turning radius is a little short. I kind of miss having the rear view mirror ability to manually flip to night when the guy behind you has his chrome pointed in your rearview.

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'03 Dakota

Written by: tommy on 08/05/2006

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab SXT Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

We purchased our '03 Dakota Reg. Cab SXT RWD for $13K. It was a nice "beater" car for my dad for work. But we have clocked on average of 12-15 mpg city and probably 19 highway. We had to replace the tires at 20k and then again and 45k. We were in a minor car accident with it where we tapped the back of another car on a freeway ramp, and it caused $400 damage. The plastic hood-release lever, broke off and had to get it replaced. The A/C conked out when he had 100-degree plus weather, which we took the repair shop and he found out that not only the cooling pump was shot but there was a cylinder- 6 miss-fire which could've been dangerous if it died on the highway.

Favorite Features

Standard non-Magnum V6 engine gets the job done, CD player

Suggested Improvements

Reduce the weight of the tailgate. (cause of such horrible gas mileage) DaimlerChrysler needs better build quality.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2003 Dakota SXT

Written by: GT on 07/20/2006

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab SXT Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Great truck. Had over three years with no problems in 28,900 miles. Original brakes and tires. Decent gas mileage for a 2WD, approximately 19-21 MPG on the highway.

Favorite Features

Styling, inside and out

Suggested Improvements

Wish I could have more horsepower

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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4x4 3.9 Dodge Dakota, What a Joke

Written by: chris on 05/25/2006

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Club Cab SLT Plus 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

By far the worst pickup truck I've ever owned up to this date. From the second I drove it off the lot there was nothing but problems with my 2003 Dodge Dakota. The list is unfortunatly too long to list everything. Let's just say that now I'm having problems with my airbag! Like I said, everything wrong with it. This is a poor excuse for a 4x4. Absolutely no power to the tiny 3.9 lawnmower engine it has. Transmission makes the engine race and yet never pulls into gear. And let's not forget that when driving it constantly feels like you're dragging an anchor.

Favorite Features

The fact that I'm getting rid of it

Suggested Improvements

2 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Scared Me

Written by: John on 01/27/2006

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab SXT 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This truck had a road hop that I couldn't overcome.Living on back roads,going up hills it would start to wheel hop either right or left. At interstate speeds, the steering was strange, it would drift and a slight adjustment at times would over correct and scare the heck out of me. I had a 93 Dakota and never had these problems with that truck.

Favorite Features

Great off road capabilities

Suggested Improvements

Suspension needs a complete rework, seats are not very comfortable. If you want a good off roader, buy one but I suggest staying off Interstates with it.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Excellent Exciting Truck

Written by: D. m. on 12/13/2005

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT Plus 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I love the 4wd option for heavy snow days and off the main road 2-tracks, as well as pulling trailers through muddy roads. With the 4.7 v8, we have plenty of power to pass on 2 lane highways and for towing my large tandem trailer. We have not had any bad mechanical surprises, only simple recalls for trivial stuff, nothing serious. My garden tractor fits in the box, if I take off the mower deck and stick it in by itself after putting the tractor in. So much to say and so little space. The ride is like a car and the view and trip computer contribute to the excellent driving experience.

Favorite Features

1-on the fly 4wd with just a turn of a switch on the dash, no big gearshift handles to deal with. 2-the powerful 4.7 v8 that never slows when baha-ing or towing. 3-the pwr drivers' seat that makes it more comfy with my bad back. 4- overhead compass + trip computer. 5- 4doors, large cab, seating for 5.

Suggested Improvements

More under seat storage and more storage behind and under back seat. Integrated tool box under truck, for chains, tools, cum-a-longs, pulleys, emergency lanterns and inverters .

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Not a Snow Queen

Written by: wayne bahlieda on 01/21/2005

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Club Cab Sport Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Owned for a year and one half and found vehicle to be impractical. It basically is a two seater. Selected the 2 wheel drive option with traction control. Compared to a front wheel drive vehicle, the vehicle had poor traction in fresh snow or on ice. The icing on the cake was the poor gas mileage. Traded the vehicle for a PT Crusier.

Favorite Features

Exterior looks and good starting capabilities in minus 40 below temperatures.

Suggested Improvements

Need to improve rear access to back seat. Gas mileage, considering it is a 6 cylinder. Also noted a howling sound at high speeds on the highway.

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Good till the last drop

Written by: spookctr on 10/21/2004

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SXT 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Bought in October and loved it from the start. Good room inside and out. First week I had it I took it to New Jersey with 3 passengers and not a hitch. In december wen from maryland to minnesota it more comfortable than my car was. Coming back brought home a few thousand dollars worth of baby furniture no noticable performance drops and it handled the worse weather that mother nature could throw at it. Good all around even with the base engine and 4 speed auto-transmission. Oh yeah, fit both a infant carrier and a toddler seat in the back seat. Let me see you do that with even some fullsize trucks let alone any other compact trucks.

Favorite Features

interior room, cockpit accomidations, ride, handling, just about everything else I can think of

Suggested Improvements

still workin on it

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2003 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4

Written by: rembrandt121 on 07/31/2004

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT Plus 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I had a 1992 Dakota le Extended cab before this 2003 and the improvements are very noticable. The handeling is dramatically improved. The rack and pinion steering coupled with the improved suspension makes this truck handle like a sports car among trucks. The 4.7 V8 has more than enough power to handle most jobs. It doesn't get the best fuel mileage in the industry but it doesn't get the worst either. This truck is fun to drive and can burn up the roads if needed.

Favorite Features

Favorite features include: am/fm/cassette/cd Infinity sound system, optional 265/70/16 tires(I suggest you opt for those)

Suggested Improvements

Make the oil filter easier to access,more paint options,put the HEMI in the Dakota.

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Best "Compact" truck around

Written by: Godzirrah on 07/02/2004

Vehicle

2003 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT Plus Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I've Had it for three weeks now and besides being my everyday commuting vehicle (with kids in car seats) it tows my 20' boat famously. I own the V8 4.7L 2wd. I call my truch the baby bear truck as it fits all my everyday needs "just right"...I test drove all others on the market and the Dodge blows away the Tacoma, Frontier and Colorado. The closest was the Tundra but tons more cabin room with the Dodge at a lot less price.

Favorite Features

interior, bed size & towing capability. I thought I wouldn't like the smaller bed that comes with the quad but it fits just right

Suggested Improvements

A little slow from 30 - 50 but I attribute that to the V8 and sure don't complain when I'm towing my boat.,

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