Used 2003 Dodge Dakota Regular Cab Consumer Reviews
Used Dakota for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Great Truck
A Person, 08/03/2009
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This was my first dodge. I bought it off a guy who put 130,000 miles on it. He drove on the highway to get to work every day, and he dropped the fluids religiously. The only issue I've had with this beast is that I had to replace the water pump (expected for mileage). Since I've got it, I've abused and pushed it past its limit, and it doesn't stutter. You tell it to do something, it'll go. Handles like a car.
Gas hog
Tim, 08/10/2008
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought this Dakota 4x4 standard cab 2 years ago. Boy what a mistake. This thing sucks gas so fast you can watch the gauge move about 13 mpg in the city. I had a 1990 Dakota and it was a fine truck so had no problems buying this one until I got it home. I am 6,3" tall and have no room to move in it, it's pretty but not a good deal. So far the battery, water pump muffler and tires have all taken leave, also the center caps that come with the wheels will not stay on had to get the chrome ones that Dodge has replaced them with. I drive this truck back and forth to work (22 miles a day) thats all I can afford at $4.00 a gallon and go through $40-50 a week. Poor in snow.
2003 Dodge Dakota for sale near you
Showing 3 of 24 listings
- Base Regular CabMSRP: $2,885395 mi away
- SLT Quad CabMSRP: $8,295469 mi away
- Sport Quad CabMSRP: $9,995616 mi away
See all 24 listings
Good all around truck
avyator, 04/13/2009
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought the truck new and have had a blast with it. It has the Stampede package which caught my eye on the dealer parking lot. Bought it for fuel economy over my 79 Warlock and it has delivered promised fuel economy, 18 mpg for the daily 7 mile commute and 22 mpg on my annual trip to FL. The Stampede package really enhances the handling and styling. I tow two motorcycles regularly from state to state and the drive train is solid. Have 61,000 miles and have only had to do routine maintenance. Battery did quit suddenly at 5 years but that's about what you get from factory batteries. Wish I had gotten the extended cab but the styling didn't go with the Stampede package. Love this truck!!!
Scared Me
John, 01/27/2006
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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.
no power and bad gas milage
eric doukas, 10/05/2002
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful
not very happy with this truck wish i never bought it
never buy again
bad dodge, 08/30/2003
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
i bought the truck with the oem trailer group and severe service group. for what the truck is rated to tow it does not live up the its standards by any means. the fact that my fender flares are falling off as well does not help. the truck has only 8990 miles on it. second why is it that my trucks value is falling faster then i can pay it off? i bought every option on it but when it comes to trade it in none that seems to matter. = by the way it is a automatic
Dodge Dakota's are Number One!
Mary Sh, 07/24/2003
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab SLT 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
wouldn't bye anything elce
Full size truck, compact price
sandman4x4fun, 08/31/2003
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This truck can work, ive pulled trailers hundreds of miles, whit 4,00 to 5,000 lbs. no problem. Plenty of power fo a 6 cyl 5speed 4x4. Gas milage respectable.When playing, driving on the beach mud hikks anything it just flat out goes, and ride great also.
good bang for the buck
The Dinger, 09/07/2003
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I would encourage anyone thinking of buying what amounts to a midsize entry to the compact class pick up truck. It's chief competor is the Toyota Tacoma; 'nough said. The choice was pretty easy for me too. With a 3.9L V6 engine, responsive handling, and a high-up snug feeling suspension, you'll find this truck a pleasure to drive, on road or off. My only complaint is that there is not enough room to rest my arm on the seatbacks, old school country style. My uncle used to say, "comparisons are odious." And I never knew quite what he meant by that. But if it comes down to a Toyota Tacoma or a Dodge Dakota...well, go out and buy one.
Unbelievable
Looking63146, 01/05/2004
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After 3 long years driving a boring 1997 Ford Thunderbird I am finally enjoying driving again. This truck goes exactly where you piont it.
Good Truck!
chrispyrook, 01/31/2004
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had no problems with this vehicle and I would highly recommend buying one. The only drawback is that it is only a two-seater which can work to your advantage and save you gas when traveling with more than one person! The interior has a lot of space for storing small items, although there is not much room behind the seat to store anything or add an after-market woofer or amp. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase!
NICE LITTLE TRUCK
SMOKEY-2, 02/16/2004
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I ALWAYS HAD DODGE TRUCKS, THIS 2003 DAKOTA WITH THE V6 AUTOMATIC IS A GOOD LITTLE TRUCK. GOOD POWER, EASY TO PARK AND I REALLY LIKE THE 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES. THE BASE MODEL HAS A NICE SIZE INTERIOR WITH CLOTH BENCH SEAT.
'03 Dakota
tommy, 08/05/2006
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.
I love this little son of a gun
sharkraider552, 05/06/2004
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
love this truck. drives like a dream, mine has the stampede package and i love it, can't say how meany comments people has said they loved the way the truck looks the inside is right on center console is really big if uhad o could hide a body in there dodge stole this ford lover and turned him into a dodge guy for now on
2003 Dakota SXT
GT, 07/20/2006
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.
2003 Dakota SXT Regular Cab
consultfirst, 10/04/2006
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Rwd SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.
4X4 SXT 3.9L 4spd auto
brupac, 02/20/2003
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Would never of thought of buying a Dodge before but this truck really impressed me. Great looks,quality feel inside and out plus plenty of power from the 3.9L not to mention a $3000.00 rebate how can you go wrong.
like my truck
dorothy koprowski, 06/02/2003
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab SLT 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I needed a truck to haul stuff without asking to loan one in the family all the time. I traded in my beloved new yorker but I love the dakota. Its a good truck for a woman
fuel economy
shaun l, 04/09/2008
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab Sport 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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!
Great truck
P, 05/15/2023
2003 Dodge Dakota 2dr Regular Cab R/T Rwd SB (5.9L 8cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It’s a great truck I’ve had it for close to twenty years its more fun to drive than my viper or hellcat it’s the best money I’ve ever spent most fun 44 thousand miles ever.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value