Used 1996 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab Consumer Reviews
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Good truck for the $
jkf, 02/24/2010
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
All things considered not a bad truck in a 140k miles. Bought used with 30k miles and 2k later transmission went and was repaired under waranty - no problems since. Have the 5.2l V8 with positraction. Used the truck for hauling a 4500lb boat just about every good weather weekend and commuting to work. Replaced dist pickup at 65k and 120K, O2 sensor at 120k due to a "21"error code, and blower resistor at 110k. Aside from normal wear items such as tires, brakes, plugs, fan belt, radiator hoses etc. no other problems - very reliable. Been using Mobil 1 at 7.5k oil changes and does not leak a drop of engine or tranny oil. As with all these dakotas, the headliner fails, and fuel gauge is whacky.
My Baby
Greg Svatora, 12/05/2005
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Purchased truck in high school, drove through college, now married and still running. Truck is amazing in all weather. Only minor problems over 110,000 miles, including the standard crap Dodge transmission. I mostly drive unloaded but tow cars probably 1500-2000 miles/yr and it works great. Can't wait to get some money to put some performance stuff in her. I get great mileage, 20 mpg with the 5.2L on straight highway miles, 16-17 on normal driving. Little tip...Firestone Destination LE tires are amazing on this truck.
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See all 0 listingsGreat Truck
laxman84, 02/01/2009
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Awesome truck. Got it for an extremely low price five years ago. Has lasted 13 years of Wisconsin winters and only has a bit of rust under the passenger side door, which is quite an accomplishment. Made it to Colorado and back, and almost kept up with the Wranglers on the Jeep trails. Starts every time I need it to, no matter the temperature. Two weeks ago, -17, -15, -27, -2, and -19, and it started each morning. Little things have been going wrong, 4X4 light doesn't come on (but 4X4 stills works), cigarette lighter is busted, parking brake cable needs a replacement, and AC is out, but that is to be expected with a old truck. All in all, my next vehicle will be a Dakota
10 years and still kicking
John, 03/06/2006
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have owned this truck since new and will not be getting rid of it any time soon. The 1996 Dakota is a true mid size with all the guts of a full size. The v6 I have pulls and hauls as well as any small 8, and wile fuel milage around town is not great (who buys a truck for fuel mileage?) open road mileage is in the 20 mpg range. Over all I am very happy with my '96, both in performance and style. Just try to find a truck with chrome on both ends these days.
Best truck ever made
BlAcK wIdOw, 11/05/2008
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My father bought this truck in 2002, my uncle got it after he died, and I recieved it almost 2 years ago. This truck has been put through its paces. It was an escort truck, hauling truck, towing people, wrecked twice (haven't had the money to fix it yet), it has 200,000 on her and still going strong. The only things replaced is the regular maintanance. Other than the headlight which happens to be a tin can since that area is caved in. The most durable and reliable truck ever.
Significantly better than I expected.
Jack, 03/10/2009
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I got this truck for utility functions in addition to going to work and back. The engine purrs like a kitten, which truly amazes me. The tranny (auto) is a little slow to shift in extreme cold, but warm her up and she does just like you'd want. I replaced the brakes in their entirety and all 4 shocks (Rancho). It handles like new... and I got it at a great price. The heat is a little weak when it gets cold, but otherwise, you will have a hard time finding such a wonderful truck at such a great price. I'd drive this thing over a same aged Toyota any day. The engine sounds just like new and I have 113,000 miles on it. It has minor leaks, but, not enough to require servicing between maintenance
Excellant service.
BDNebeker, 05/12/2002
1996 Dodge Dakota 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Excellant service , it has only 51,000 miles, It gets up to 19mls per gal.
A GREAT TRUCK
Dodge/Chrysler Fan, 10/24/2002
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this truck new and aside from a few minor fit and finish problems it has been great. It has always been reliable and is as tough as a truck can be. I would highly reccommend one for anyone who is looking for a used value.
My Dakota
rtt3, 11/24/2002
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought a '96 dakota ext. cab and it has done wonders. i can alway rely on it to get me to my destination. It has 117,000 miles and is still running strong. When others fail, this one comes out on top.
wish i opted for the extended warrenty
joshua, 07/21/2003
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
i own a 96 dakota club cab slt with 3.9l v6 auto 90k miles.reliability is its biggest shortcomming.the transmission went out at 30k fixed under warenty,and has never really shifted smoothly.other problems include the a.c.,water pump leak,plenium gasket leak, alternator, dash lights,fuel gage. the v6 feels underpowered i would recommend the v8. on the plus side it is larger then it competitors, and averages a respectable 16mpg in mixed driving.
Dakota was great
S, 05/06/2004
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My Dakota was always a good truck
1996 Dodge Dakota
Bob, 03/16/2005
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This has been a very reliable pickup. it has the most room of any truck in its class. it takes the corners very well and handles great. my first road trip with it (600 miles) rendered me 27 miles to the gallon which was pretty good at 75 mph going up and down hills!!!
Reliable
Reggie , 01/26/2006
1996 Dodge Dakota Sport 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought my Dakota new in 1996, has 140,000 on it and still going strong. Uses no oil to speak of and has not given me any problems other then the poor quality interior. Comfort is great considering I'm 6'6". Gas milage could be better, could use a split heat defrost option. Exterior is holding up to Maine winter very well considering the truck was purchased in Arizona. Does very well in the snow for a 2wd, I use a 70 lb sand bag in the bed and good all season tires, so far no problems. Probably the best vehicle I have ever owned.
Wouldn"t trade it for anything
DodgeOwner, 05/22/2003
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I use my Dakota on a farm and there has been no problems at all. It has hauled heavy loads through mus and other off road terrains and has always had enough power to do it all!
#1 Truck
Kris Lewis, 05/22/2003
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Plain and simple, dependable, fun, a workhorse V6.
DODGE Dakota
Ford lover, 06/13/2008
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
Owned the truck 6 months, first dodge I ever bought. My dad talked me into buying it. I learned 2 things from this truck. 1. I will never buy a dodge and 2. when the check engine light comes on, it's junk. Get rid of it. I have put more money into this truck than i did my 300.00 1988 ranger that has 300,000 Miles. I really do hate this truck.
wish i opted for extended warenty
joshua dunton, 07/12/2003
1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
i have a 96 dakota slt club cab v6 with 90k miles.it has had many problems transmision,ac,plebium gasket leak,water pump,alternator,fuel gage not accurate,dash lights to name a few. i like the looks of the truck,and over all comfort is good.i like the engines choices,better than competion.v6 needs more power.i average 16mpg mixed driving. and slightly bigger than competion. inteior is outdated,next generation got much improved in this area.overall i would not recommend this truck do to poor reliability problems, but i may have owned a lemmon. just my two cense take it for what its worth.