2004 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews Page 3

Great truck, buy the extra warranty

Written by: Mike Jewett on 02/06/2006

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 2dr Club Cab SLT 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Everything about the truck, performance-wise, is top-notch. Power, handling, towing, cargo capacity, etc. MPG is 12-15, but it's a truck, not a Camry. Easier to park than a full-size, but hauls just as much. 4x4 works great, even if the ground clearance is minimal. The only things to consider before buying are cost issues, namely gas and maintenance. It weighs 4500LBS, so you'll replace brake pads every 25K. Fill up the tank every 200 -250mi. Also, find a nice 5-star dealer. I've seen a lot of reviews knocking Dodge dealers, and, just like any business, some will be good, some will be lame. Also, it's really worth it to roll an 85K warranty into your finance plan.

Favorite Features

V8 power, 4x4, styling, lack of peripheral bolt-on crap (Tacoma hood scoops, Ford bedrails, etc.), clears 32" tires with no lift, carries 2 people and gear for a month, or 5 people in a pinch, fact. Inifnity stereo is nice, if lacking bass

Suggested Improvements

Lousy brake rotor design (you'll replace a lot of these) leads to frequent pad changing (these too). Front torsion-bar suspension sags and is difficult to lift or modify. General QC issues I've had include defective steering pump, bad swaybar bushings, bad leaf springs.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Excellent truck!!

Written by: terry jenkins on 01/01/2006

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT Rwd SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

20k miles now and havent had to take back to dealer one time! Rides like a car and has adequate power for commuting. It pulls my 17ft bass boat with ease. Gas mileage not too bad with v-6, I improved it to 23 overall by adding k&n filter and using synthetic oil. I hope to keep this truck along time so reliability is extremely important and time will tell if it can go the distance that I expect from my vehicles??? Good value for the money. A Toyota Tacoma with similar options would have been 5k more!!

Favorite Features

Progressive stying, good ride and responsive handling.

Suggested Improvements

Put in a better stereo system, and v- 6. Could use a little more HP without affecting gas mileage??

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Love This Truck!

Written by: Mark on 10/04/2005

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab Sport 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I was skeptical when I let my wife talk me into this - I was looking for a high gas mileage import. She knew I'd always liked the looks. Once I drove it I was hooked. I have the 4.7 V8 & 5sp. I average 17/gal for my commute and 19+ on the road (my best is 19.85). Great for this truck. I have had nothing but great experience from my dealer. I had a heater hose leak (there was a service bulletin on it) and they offered to replace the carpet if I wanted! I am now getting into a carpool because of the gas prices, but I NEED the truck. It is a great vehicle. Easy & fun to drive and comfortable on the road. The family likes it better than anything else we've owned.

Favorite Features

Flip up rear seats, driveability, seating position, looks, ergs. Great milage for a V8.

Suggested Improvements

Better placement of cupholders (w/the 5 sp), one is too far under the dash and the other gets hit with the shifter. Shorter shift throw. Better stereo. This in the console get lost because it's so deep and there are no seperate compartments.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Dakota

Written by: dsatlle on 08/23/2005

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 2dr Club Cab SXT Rwd SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Overall, the vehicle is about what I expected. When traveling over bumps or potholes the vehicle jumps off the front tires. it feels really dangerous so I'm not happy with the way it handles.The passenger seat does not recline to a comfortable position on long trips, not even half way to 180 degrees, it can be quite uncomfortable. The brakes started squeaking at about 16,000 miles and I have not had them checked, hoping that the dust works itself out without the dealer arming and legging me to take care of it. BTW, I bought a oil change coupon book from the dealer and they are always wanting to do unnecessary work, so beware. Other than oil changes I have done no other maintenance.

Favorite Features

Feels like you're in a cockpit with a small windshield. Nice simple interior dash.

Suggested Improvements

Improve the comfort of the seats by allowing them to FULLY recline.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Lemon

Written by: Brandon on 07/11/2005

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab SLT 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This truck has given me trouble from day one, literally! It is a beautiful truck, but has had extensive computer, power steering, transmission, and recently, parking brake issues. Chrysler is not standing behind this truck, and the computer problem cannot be completely fixed, as I am still experiencing the same problems and 13- 14mpg all around...sounds good for a little 3.7L engine, huh? Needless to say, I will never buy another Chrysler product again. Neither will my Dodge-owning family, in which there has been a total of 11 new Dodge products owned. Thanks Chrysler!!

Favorite Features

Exterior design, price, and overall appearance.

Suggested Improvements

Front suspension and steering (went completely loose on me around 16,000 miles. Chrysler...stand behind your products!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Love this truck!

Written by: Christopher on 05/31/2005

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab Sport Plus 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I've driven it in all weather conditions, on and off road, and it has taken it in stride. I moved to Florida and packed the biggest U-haul trailer to the gills and put my motorcycle in the bed. I think I could have added on another trailer full! The convenience of the four doors makes it even better. It's too bad Dodge made the new one so ugly!

Favorite Features

I like the overhead console and its many features: programable garage door opener, gas mileage, temperature, miles to go until empty, compass...it's cool!

Suggested Improvements

I can't say it needs any improvement. Maybe the gas mileage...but what do you want from a V8?

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Can't go wrong here...

Written by: Anchorsaweigh on 05/23/2005

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 2dr Club Cab SXT 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Stepped down from a 2001 Ram 1500 4X4 to something that wouldn't cost me $100 per week in gas. Runs quiet, smooth, and handles very well. Smooth shifting and transitioning to 4WD. Dash layout and ergonomics well thought out. Excellent fuel economy, although I had expected better. But, 20MPG sure beats the heck out of 11MPG any day of the week. The 3.7L V-6 has a lot of pep and powers up when you need it. I would recommend this vehicle.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

None

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Favorite Dodge So Far

Written by: marki on 05/03/2005

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab Sport Plus 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This is my third Dodge. First had a 96 Ram 1500, then a 02 Dakota. Now have the 04 Dakota. Love everything about it. It's got the V8 with a 5 speed manual transmission. Way more power than the V6, and almost identical gas mileage. Spacious but not too big. Perfect for city or highway driving.

Favorite Features

V8, stick shift, style, looks, pretty much everything.

Suggested Improvements

Wind noise, lousy factory tires (Goodyear) that in 2 inches of snow you gotta use 4x4 or you'll get stuck. Gas mileage is no issue - it's a 4x4, V8, what do you expect?

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Very Pleased

Written by: wolfinblue on 03/26/2005

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport Plus Rwd SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I love my Dakota! Nice and powerful and throaty sounding 3.7L V6. Towing my 17' boat is a breeze. 18,000 miles and no problems. It handles great and is very comfortable ride for a pickup. Road noise and wind noise is a little more than I would have liked, and factory stereo (Non Infinity) is a joke. Worst factory stereo I've heard on a modern vehicle. I have replaced the speakers and head unit and added a small Bazooka sub. Otherwise, I'm very pleased with this truck!

Favorite Features

Towing ability, styling, driving comfort.

Suggested Improvements

More sound dampening to keep out road noise and wind noise. Better factory stereo.

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All Go & Cannot Stop

Written by: C. Stueve on 02/14/2005

Vehicle

2004 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab Sport Plus 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This is my second Dakota in the last 3 years. I looked at the new Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon & passed up both, along with my GM Employee discount for another Dakota. For my kids & hobbies I could not do without the 4 doors.

Favorite Features

4 doors, 4x4, V-8 power in a smaller truck.

Suggested Improvements

I have had the front rotors turned twice & the back turned once at the dealer in 25xxx miles. Most all my driving is highway. The dealer told me the new Dodge break pads are too hard for the metal of the rotors.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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