2003 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews

Northeast Driving

Written by: YanksSck on 05/25/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I inherited an 03 Dakota 2 years ago. I live in the Northeast and not having 4WD pretty much just doesn't work out. It gets stuck every time there is more than 3 inches of snow on the ground, and slides all over the place in any snow or ice (which is pretty much 3 full months a year). Piling weight in the back just doesn't seem to help. The fuel economy is terrible for a 2wd vehicle, my count is about 18 mph highway at best but i have got as little as 8 city. The Truck would be fine in a snow less region, but if you live in a cold climate look elsewhere. You can get much more traction power without sacrificing too much in MPG.

Favorite Features

Nice big center console with a power outlet.

Suggested Improvements

Fuel efficiency, RWD provides 0 traction, ext cab couldn't hold a dog let alone a human.

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fuel economy

Written by: shaun l on 04/09/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I noticed right away I wasn't getting the proper fuel economy I thought I should get which was 12 city 15 hwy. I made some timing adjustments and a basic tune up, in 4 years the best hwy mpg I've gotten was 18 mpg. Don't expect any more than that. Another problem I've encountered is severe wheel hop at hwy speeds, it almost jumps off the road when you hit a bump. Very very unsafe. FYI... don't forget the change your ball joints, if they haven't already gone out, they will!

Favorite Features

Shift on the fly 4x4, and four wheel limited slip differentials. Best thing dodge did. It sold the truck for me.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy. Standard cd player. Different suspension set-up.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Big red truck

Written by: suzanne webb on 02/18/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

Very dependable. Lots of fun to drive. Great load capacity. Did not think I would like a truck but this one is great.

Favorite Features

Lots of room. Back seat area is small for adults but great for kids. Easy to maintain. Great visibility.

Suggested Improvements

Nothing.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab SLT+ 2WD 3.9L

Written by: stevew on 06/07/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

The Dodge Dakota has been a great truck for me. I originally had a '90 Dakota that was still running great at 230,000 miles. Then I joined the Marine Corps and bought the '03 Quad Cab. The only problem I've had with it was a crack in a rubber hose for the fuel EVAP emissions system - a simple inexpensive repair. After sitting in a parking lot for 7 months while I was in Iraq (twice), it ran perfectly for me when I returned (as well as after 2 one month trips to AZ.) It gets me 18 MPG (mixed) and has reached 20MPG (hwy) several times. Bottom line - I love it! I see myself driving this 1 for years to come and probably nothing but Dakotas for the rest of my life.

Favorite Features

4 doors. Comfort. Lots of legroom and storage space. Very decent fuel efficiency. The body style. Reliability. Never had to make a warranty claim even after it sat for months on end. Clear instrument panel. Handles great. Size between full and small. Rear passenger windows fully retract.

Suggested Improvements

Wish they had offered the 3.7L V6 a year earlier. Would love to drive and feel this truck with that engine. Wish the rear sliding window was powered - I can't reach it from the driver's seat (Quad Cab).

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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2003 Dakota Sport Plus

Written by: Dusty on 03/07/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

The Dakota has been a great truck with lots of power, a smooth drivetrain, rugged and reliable that remains quiet and comfortable. It is larger than models from Nissan and Toyota and that was the deciding factor in my purchase. It functions as a part time personal and work vehicle and does both more than adequately. My year-to-date fuel mileage is 16.82 and I can consistently get 20mpg carrying 900 lbs. of ATV and additional gear in the summertime. The 4.7 has excellent low end torque which I appreciate on hills and for towing. Mine has been reliable, with two recalls and one heater blower resistor failure. No rattles or squeaks after five years!

Favorite Features

Power, low end torque. Very smooth and positive automatic transmission. Good handling and excellent driver position. Nice interior without being gaudy. Paint is smooth and s very scratch resistant. Really stiff frame. Long bed length. Better looking than new Dakota.

Suggested Improvements

Handling could be more crisp. Defroster could be more effective in rainy weather. A great design with few faults.

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Fun Truck

Written by: handyman on 11/04/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

I bought the truck from a private owner with 63,000 miles on it. Starts and rides like a new vehicle. Only problem I found was a warped front brake disk. Since grinding it no more clicks. Use it every day and sometimes overloaded, full or empty runs all the same. Fuel efficency is lousy (14 mpg) and A/C only cools to 48 F, which is within specs but in summery Florida we need all the cooling you can get. Overall highly satisfied

Favorite Features

Power. Roomy interior. Good finish

Suggested Improvements

Improve fuel consumption. Colder A/C. It feels as if the transmission could upshift at lower speeds (perhaps this would improve mileage a little)

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2003 Dakota SXT Regular Cab

Written by: consultfirst on 10/03/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

Fun truck to drive with the 5-speed manual transmission. Truck is perfect size between compact and full size. Too bad they stopped making the regular cab version.

Favorite Features

5-speed manual transmission makes it fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Cab needs a little more room for 6- footers.

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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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