Used 2005 Dodge Dakota Club Cab Consumer Reviews
Happy with the truck
After seeing some negative words, I had to jump on and defend this little truck. I'm not too demanding on the vehicle, but effortlessly pull my boat with it. Have found this truck to be responsive, easy to maneuver and reliable! Only problem ever encountered is vapor lock with a precocious locking gas cap, it makes the check engine light come on every once in a while after a fill up. Have had since new and am a very pleased owner.
112,000 & climbing
It's been a great truck for the work & travel that I do. Average 21.5 mpg with the V6. Still on the original tires, had the brakes done at 105,000 miles. Change the oil every 6,000 miles. The fronts needed replacement, the rears just needed adjustment. The only other thing that has been replaced was the ambient air sensor. Still has plenty of power in heavy traffic.
- SLT Quad CabMSRP: $9,00099 mi away
- ST Quad CabMSRP: $6,995132 mi away
- SLT Club CabMSRP: $6,950142 mi away
Not the best, Not the worst
I have the 3.7 with just over 80,000 miles. it runs phenomenally considering the amount of torture ive put it through. It does lack power and torque. however, it is a reliable vehicle. the 4x4 to be quite honest should be used strictly for what it was designed and not mud running. I get just over 11 miles to a gallon, which is disappointing but, again this thing just keeps running. The only real issues Ive came across are having to replace the entire front suspension and all four o2 sensors. I highly recommend that if you are to own one of these trucks especially the 2005 that you have advanced knowledge in mechanics, otherwise you might as well just give your paycheck the garage.
Great Truck
My Dakota has the 4.7L V8, which was not one of the choices on your drop- down menu. The V8 is the only way to go. Power, economy (Rated 1 MPG better than the 3.7) and that cool V8 sound. The horsepower is a good match with the size of the vehicle. I tested the 3.7 and there is no comparison. There is no part of the truck that I can complain about. The ride is stiff, but it is a truck. Must haves are the heated seats and the Sirius Satellite radio. I almost regret getting the 6 Disc CD changer because with what Sirius has to offer, I will probably never play a CD again.
2005 Dodge Dakota Club Cab 3.7 automatic 4X4
purchased used for a very good price, 142,000 miles, then set about straightening it out. truck still ran well, previous owner had done periodic oil changes, necessary repairs, maintenance, replaced transmission, rebuilt front end- twice. I found these problems: rear quarter panels rotted out just above back wheels on both sides, required patch panels on each side, and repainting the rear quarter panels. both back doors had rust on bottom, had the driver's side repaired and painted. transmission cooling lines were rotted out, leaking 7 quarts of trans fluid onto the ground. had to replace those with rubber oil cooler lines and clamps. 3 short brake lines were corroded just below the master cylinder, had those replaced with copper alloy lines and brakes bled. spark plugs were burned open to gap beyond .080", gapped those back down to .045" cleaned and reinstalled. downstream oxygen sensor driver's side bank, was lazy reading too high voltage, will be replaced, it doesn't affect engine performance but does put on the check engine light, and throws a computer code. front radiator support and crossmember just ahead of radiator is rotted and will need some attention, but is holding for now. checking front end, upper and lower ball joints on driver's side need to be replaced, even though they've been replaced before within the past 5 years or so. driver's side low beam headlight burned out, changed it. battery was dead and wouldn't hold charge, after cleaning terminals and grounds, and driving daily, it's holding a charge and starting. changed oil from regular mineral oil to synthetic, and picked up some power. the rear tailgate hinges are rotted and need to be replaced, only the top latches on each side are holding the gate on when closed. spare tire winch is seized, can't lower the spare, needs to be freed up in future. windshield wipers were worn out, replaced them. now it's a reliable vehicle with excellent traction in the snow/ice, and the heater is the best I've had in any car, period. the ride is solid, steering is precise, priority is replacing the ball joints which have noticeable play when checked with a pry bar. fuel mileage is pretty good considering it weighs mover 4500 lbs. and has 3.92 axle gear ratio. 4x4 4WD on the fly knob works great. no need to get out and lock hubs- but I wouldn't mind having locking hubs on it, would save some gas mileage. factory bed liner has preserved bed very well. all in all a presentable, reliable vehicle- provided you read up on its quirks and address the design defect areas, such as the front end. these trucks are known to wear out ball joints prematurely, I'm convinced it's due to the flooding of the domestic USA market with low quality offshore Chinese-Asian-India made suspension parts. if it runs to 200,000 will have been worth taking on. we'll see. so far it has been a good purchase and have about $2,000 into it total, including the title work, insurance, parts, repairs.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
a needy 4x4 truck, but ok after repairs
I got this truck dirt cheap from a relative's estate for $300. It started right up after sitting a year, and didn't smoke or tick, and the 4x4 worked. I knew the service history of the truck, he had put a new front end in it (struts, bearings, ball joints, tie rods) and a new transmission, and always changed oil- so figured mechanically it was ok. it had 142,000 miles but relatively easy miles. he had owned it for 10 years. it needed quarter panels and bed painted, and grill/headlight, and interior cleaned- but other than that my first impression was, it's all cosmetics- that mechanically it was sound. and boy was I wrong. these trucks are inferior metal and rust out very easily. I had the rear quarters replaced/painted and found 4 Dodge mags, and put them on- the truck looked great. but the first night my kid took it out, it blew a trans line and leaked all the fluid out, and had to be towed home. ok- I replaced both lines with high pressure rubber, and refilled trans- back on road. well then I had it out one day and after climbing a local road that is a long winding mountain, a few miles later it developed a miss and stalled. had it towed home again- it had a BROKEN VALVE SPRING in the engine, drivers side last cylinder. I changed that myself ($3 part, $50 special tool, and 3 days in driveway in cold weather) and it ran again fine. I put new 4-tip spark plugs and Amsoil synthetic oil/filter for good measure. ok no more engine problems. shortly thereafter I was hauling 6 rims/tires in the bed and heard a crack/thud- unloaded the wheels at destination, looked under bed, the right rear leaf spring eye had broken off the shackle, first time I ever saw the spring itself break at that point- usually it's the shackle. checked the other side, that one has the front spring eye cracked in half. so it needs new leaf springs, and rear shackles. ($400 in parts plus labor). I pulled the emergency brake release one day, it snapped off in my hand, had to epoxy glue it back together. the radio in this truck can't pick up hardly any stations, and the CD player while ok sounding, acts up sometimes. the seats are very comfortable for a truck, and in 4x4 mode it will go anywhere. I also like the 4wd on the fly, just turn the knob, no hubs to lock. problem- it has a 3.92 rear axle ration, and weighs 4500 lbs.- and only gets 14-15 mpg daily driving. I checked it repeatedly. you MUST run premium fuel in this engine, or it runs like crap. the valve springs are only single springs, not double or triple like other makes, so they have the tendency to wear or break. you can't beat on this truck, the engine will break. it does always start, it rides nice for a 4x4. oh BTW this also needs upper/lower ball joints- again- even though my relative put them in new not too long ago. he did have a tie rod break on his once on the way to my house, I had to go pick him up, and get the truck towed. I talked to Dodge mechanics, they said these trucks eat front end parts. I bought 4 upper/lower ball joints and front struts too, going to do it all in one shot along with the back springs/shackles. so now it's banging on nearly $3000 in this truck including insurance, title, repairs- and if I had to do it over again, I never would have bought it. something told me don't buy a Chrysler, cuz they are the lowest quality American car made- I've been a GM guy for 40 years- but I have owned a few Ford and Chevy 4x4's and 2WD trucks, and one International 1 ton 2WD- and this Dodge is the worst for reliability. one more thing, from sitting the brake lines rotted out, but I knew that ahead of time, and had them replaced first thing- the lines under the master cylinder. and the tailgate hinges are rotted out, only the top latches hold the gate on. so if you are considering a Dodge Dakota, look all these factors over closely first, and if you do buy, don't pay more than $500 or so. unless it was garage kept with 60,000 miles or less. these trucks don't run forever like a Chevy or Ford. BEST FEATURES: low price, rides nice for a truck, 4x4 on the fly no locking hubs, comfortable seats WORST FEATURES: terrible gas mileage, frequent mechanical breakdowns over 100,000 miles- construction quality spotty due to inferior metallurgy and parts, cheap to buy but expensive to repair and keep running
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I really want to love this truck but I can't
I bought this truck new in the summer of 2005. there was a year end clearance sale and I got a good deal on it. V8 engine, 4 wheel drive, very comfortable seats and drives and handles well. The plastic used on the doors is ultra cheap however, the dash is a little better but not much. having 4 wheel drive for ohio winters is nice, this is not a truck made for heavy 4 wheeling. I knew that buying it though. I cant get over 15mpg no matter what I do. for what the mileage is it should have a lot more low end grunt. that and a lot of times the transmission feels like its in the wrong gear a lot. like it should downshift faster when hitting the gas
Dakota drivetrain quality
The driveshaft that couples the front axle to the transfer case is ungreaseable and only lasts about 75000 miles the rear axles splines break and need to be replaced before 100000miles and the auto trans will be due for a rebuild at around a 100000 also, This all happens even if you change fluids and do maintenance as recommended in owners manual. This are very light duty vehicles, not really trucks as far my definition of truck goes.
No Ford! Dodge!
Just bought my '05 4wd Dakota 4 months ago. Love it on road- off road even more! Thought it was too low it crawled over everything like it was pavement! Reliability is awesome. Can take this truck ANYWHERE you can think up. 4lock works great- very impressed.First 4wd I've owned. Best overall mid-size truck on the market- roomy, comfortable, [even in the ext. part.]
Best in Class
After owning a Ford Ranger and looking at all the available vehicles in this class, purchasing the Dakota was a no brainer. It's roomier, quieter, smother and better handling, especially in corners where the Ranger had a tendency to feel like it was going to flip over. The lack of storage, if you forego the center console, is is very annoying. There is nowhere to store your cds except in the door pockets, which is less than ideal. The rear seat also leaves much to be desired in the club cab. with such generous headroom in the rear, they could have raised the seats a couple of inches, which would go a long way toward making the seat more usable for those over 5ft tall. Overall, buy it!
problem with tie rods
Purchased new. Currently has 21,000 miles on it. Have been very happy with it up to this point. However, recently began hearing scraping noise when turning. Thinking it was the brakes we took it to mechanic. Turns out it is the tie rod which needs to be replaced. Told not to drive it until repair is done because it is unsafe. This is totally unacceptable for a vehicle with so few miles on it. Expected much better quality from Dodge. Would not recommend this vehicle to anyone. I believe that having to put out major money on a repair like this for a vehicle with such low miles speaks volumes about Dodge quality.
Dodge lover turns disappointed!
Uncomfortable, many blind spots, terrible gas milage, sluggish transmission, but it looks great. I bought one, then regreted it. What were the engineers thinking?
No More Chrysler Trucks for me!
Bought this car new. I have the V8. Mileage is terrible even for a truck. Now have 60k miles on and have had it in the shop numerous times for front end problems. Drive train is also noisy. Terrible acceleration. A white knuckle towing machine! (Don't do it!)
2005 4WD Club Cab SLT V8
Interior is very plush and roomy even for big people. Lots of compartments for your stuff. Electric Bucket Seats are comfortable and has lumbar support. Sound system is good. Rear of club cab is only suitable for small persons or children. Better used for storage. Rear doors of Club Cab open which is great. Bed is 6.5 feet and holds lots of cargo. This truck is bigger than it appears, rides high in my opinion not much smaller than a F- 150. Ride is smooth and quiet for a truck and handles very well. Off road it rides like any other pick up. V8 is very powerful, good acceleraton with little effort. Gas mileage is only about 14 MPG. For safety it just got a five star rating front, side impact.
Satisfied So Far
I looked for a replacement vehicle for 2 months, drove all kinds of cars, trucks and vans and decided on the Dakota mainly because of its size and price. Got it new for just over 15K which was 8K less than the sticker. I couldn't come near that on any of the competition including the compacts. It has a heavy, secure feel. The gas mileage is 16 mpg so I figure it's costing me 15 cents per mile to drive this truck. Oh well, better than being cramped into a tacky Kia.
The Right Truck
This is a great truck. It is the right size and power level. The interior is well thought out and is welcoming without detracting from the "truck- ness." The 2005's have a better warranty and are identical mechanically and almost identical visually. I have only had this truck for 1600 miles (about 2 1/2 months) and aside from a catalytic convertor problem that was promptly addressed it has been a strong runner. I was wanting a full-size but the gas on those is horrible and for all practical purposes, this truck can tow and haul the same as them (unless you have a massive boat or something at which point you would probably get a deisel) and isn't underpowered like the other midsize trucks.
Don't believe your dealer
I really like the truck with the exception for the rear end vibration when you use the brakes. I asked the dealer before i bought the truck if there were any items of concern and was told no. I returnrd 3 days later to the service department to check out the vibration I felt. The service look at my truck and said oh yea you have the model that has a SRB out about vibration. We have 6 or 7 trucks waiting to get fixed.
Great Truck
I wish I would have opted for the V8 but this truck serves my purpose of light hauling and travel very well. There is a little drag in take off, but the truck rides as smoothly as it can and I have thoroughly enjoyed owning it.
Reliable
It will last long time if you take care of it transmission had to be rebuilt at 180k miles other than that ran great kept oil changed.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
vibration
can't seem to determine what the vibrations are caused by. Have had two complete break overhauls done. Only 35K miles. The dealer says "harmonic vibration" and no fix. Feels like it is missing, had plugs replaced at 30K, no impact. Disapointed in the truck overall. No more Chrysler for me.
Great Truck!
I have now owned this truck for over 3 years now and I must say it's the best pickup I have ever owned. I especially love the sound system- infinity speakers and 6 CD changer. It sounds better than my home system in fact. The car rides like a dream and the exterior chrome looks great. I got the Laramie edition. In snow, it makes driving to work fun and I love the heated leather seats when it is cold. The only complaint I have with this truck is the gas mileage, but all the other trucks get about the same, so you have to expect that when you have a pickup. All in all, great job from Dodge. Dakota rocks!
Its OK, Lots of power
I got the 4.7L v8 new and i have owned the vehicle for 60,000 miles. I get 16.9 mpg. The biggest and only issue i had with this truck was the oem front braking system that only lasted a few thousand miles. Lets just say after the nightmare of having to deal with there service dpt. I finally had enough and just spent the money and replaced all the front braking system. Suspension could also use some work.
100000 and still going strong
Great truck, bought to tow boat only mid size that would do it the V8 has good gas mileage average 18mpg have towed over 10,000 with it with no problems off road it fun. Only problem is I bent the u joint and that when I tried to pull 12000 lbs other then that, all normal wear and tear.
decent truck
over all its been a good truck it is what i expected from a mid size truck i have had it 5 years only one problem at 20000 miles the tie rods went bad that was a little disappointing to have that happen so soon especially when i never use it off road and the paint jobs are very poorly done scratches easily
More room
After spending 14 years in standard cab Rangers {2} and S-10's {2} i wanted more interior space.I chose the Dakota mainly because I couldn't find a Tacoma or Frontier at any dealer with the options i wanted. I found this SLT and could not be happier. Smooth, powerful, and comfortable. All controls within easy reach -no daytime running lights ,which I love -great sound and features. I needed the tow package and Dodge's is one of the best out there.
2005 Dodge Dakota
Just bought the new model Dakota for 2005. I like the new look but wish the mileage was a bit better. This is not a commuter vehicle. I have detected a vibration at 60 MPH, and I hope the dealer can track that down for me. Beyond that, it is a fun truck to drive.
Chevy guy now a Dodge man
I just purchased the Dakota Club Cab SLT 4x4 with V8 and 5 spd auto trans. I love this truck. Looked at Chevy Colorado,Toyota Tacoma, and Honda Ridgeline. Could not sit in Tacoma, steering wheel hit my legs and I'm only 6 foot. Honda was too expensive for me and the bed on the Colorado was not big enough for me. The Dakota accelerates great and stops on a dime. Gas mileage isn't too bad for a V8. People can't stop looking at it. It looks great especially in the color, I got Black. Dodge did it right this truck is the perfect size for someone who doesn't need a full size truck.
Love it But could use a little more room
Great Truck, Drives Smoothly, Accelerates quietly, room on the interior, V8 is a must though, drove the V6 and it had no pick up. There are a few major blind spots, but its a fix that takes about $5 to fix. bed is useable but could be a little deeper, I have a cover on it and have trouble putting some coolers underneath it. Only complaint, theres no where to put things, the glove compartment doesn't even fit the owners manual! Dodge is normally good with storage, but not in this case.
Think Twice at Least
I was atracted to the Dakota due to the low price but now wish I had spent a little more up front and bought a Frontier or Tacoma. It rides well around town and on the highway, but offroad it is very disapointing. The ground clearance stinks, and the approach angle is even worse. It needs at least another 2-3'' of suspension to be worthwhile offroad. Oh, and front tow hooks and skid shields aren't even standard on the 4X4.
NICE TRUCK
WISH IT HAD A 5 SPEED TRAM
Nothing like it on the market
Nothing like it on the market.
Dakota rating
It's a great truck and I love it. I've had several Dakotas, loved them all. This one is the best ever
Hats off to the new Dakota
It is time for the other truck manufacturers to take a look at the new Dakota, and see how a truck is supposed to be built. By far this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. The exterior looks excellent, and it doesn't even begin to compare to the interior. The perfect vehicle for anyone that has ever wanted to have a truck and a luxury car. The only downside is the amount of leg room (or lack thereof) in the back seats. I owned a 2001 Dakota before this, and while I loved that truck, it does not begin to compare to the 2005. For all the Dakota owners out there that are thinking about trading up for the newer model, I say go for it.
BEST TRUCK EVER!
This is my second truck that I have owned and is a way better truck than my '96 Dakota. I was amazed at how well the truck rode more like a car and how the new V6 had better performance over the old 3.9L V6.
Beats my Aurora hands down!
I had held off purchasing a Dakota Club Cab until they came along with the rear access doors and am glad I waited. The Dakota is a perfectly sized pickup, fits in the garage okay, and love the V8 power. Also am planning to purchase a travel trailer, so I got the towing package too. Good value for the tow package. It's a sharp looking pickup and sounds great with the dual exhaust.
Dakota Laramie - Almost Purrrrfect!
I was looking for a vehicle which would replace my Ford Ranger and my Monte Carlo - Enter my Dakaota Quad Cab! It's everything I need. It has the comfort and about twice the interior room of my car and about the same payload as my Ranger. I was a little unsure of getting the V-8 because of the gas mileage, but hearing those 8 cylinders purr as I'm cruising down the highway almost makes me think I'm back in the power days of the 60's!! And the gas mileage is within a gallon or so of the V6's!!
Perfect new Dakota Styling
Dodge really improved on the body styling for 2005....It's good to see that a reasonably priced truck can look better than what the other automakers are selling....I also had a 2000 Quad Cab 4x4 and never had a problem with it....
2005 Dodge Dakota
This truck is amazing. I have the 3.7 l V6 and it has great power and sound. The interior Is my favorite, very comfortable, quiet, smooth. The only thing I dont like about the truck is the front bumper sticks out 6-inches too much, but other than that I rate it altogether a 9/10. I wouldnt buy anything else but a Dodge
Chevy guy now a Dodge man
Bought the 2005 Dodge Dakota SLT 4 X 4 Club Cab with 4.7L V8 and 5 speed auto trans. Great looking and performing truck. Looked at chevy colorado,toyota tacoma,and honda ridgeline. The Honda was too expensive. Could not sit comfortably in the Toyota, the steering wheel wedged my legs against the seat even with it tilted all the way up. The Colorado didn't have a wide enough bed. The Dodge is the best truck out there. It's roomy, the V8 is powerful and the brakes work great. Fuel mileage is about typical for a V8. Once you drive one you will be hooked. It handles like a car.
Severe Braking And Engineering flaws
This vehicle has sever braking issues which is a direct cause of poor engineering. Chrylser still has no resolution to this problem as of yet. There are dozens and dozens of documented cases of the same problems with most or all of the 05 models. Until something is done to remedy this, and the transmission problems, and the engine idle problems, and the airbag issues, I would NOT suggest that anyone buy one of these trucks. The consumer is getting screwed big time with this truck. And take this from a die hard Mopar nut, who owns 8 Chrylser products. I STRONGLY discourage ANYONE from buying this truck.
Great Pickup
Awesome truck, bast improvement over prev. generation Dakota. Interior could use better quality materials. Glove box is extremely small considering size of dash. Cloth material on seats looks and feels cheap, love the heated part though. Don't like the vast sea of plastic on the dash and doors, that could change without hurting my feelings one bit. The V6 is a vast improvement over the 3.9. Much more responsive, smoother, and quieter (until you get above 3500 RPM). Plenty of get up and go for around town driving and adequate passing power for the Interstate. Instrument panel is well lit at night and easy to read during the day. Base sound system is excellent as well. A very good truck to own
Honest
Good looking truck, paint excellent, fun to drive, like the way it sits with optional 265 tires, like tie down brackets in bed, very quiet on highway, good dash layout, great deal from dealer.
Used, but...
I was looking for a new model Ford and saw this on the lot. It had only 10,000 miles on the odometer. I bought it after taking a half hour drive. The fit and finish were great and the power was more than adequate. I priced a new Dakota and was shocked at the amount they wanted for the same vehicle for 2007. I got a great bargain. It's red with chrome wheels and it's a head turner, even here in North Carolina where the state motto should be "Yeah it's a big truck". Thanks to the previous owner for trading in a real gem!
My '05 Dakota
I purchased my Dakota almost 2 yrs ago I drive a lot of highway miles. I find the Dakota stable at high speeds, comfortable, and the fuel economy at sustained speeds of 75mph not bad at 21mpg. I have the 6 cyl engine. It's not the peppiest engine but does an adequate job. (the Dakota does tip the scales at over 4,000lbs) The body is tight, the ride is smooth, and the bucket seats are comfortable for a big guy like me. My only complaint so far is that the the dashboard and radio lighting is inadequate in bright daylight. I can't read the letters and numbers on the radio! Overall the truck really is reliable, comfortable, and well put together
My truck
Truck is solid all around. Fun to drive and looks sharp. Is not to good on gas for a 6 cylinder, and does need some more power under the hood. Great in mud and sand. Towing power is not to bad for the size of the truck.
My first Dodge
A loyal Ford truck person, I thought I would try something different.Price and research brought me to Dodge. So far, so good. A basic truck w/AC. My commute in L.A. takes me 86 miles round trip. Handle's well in traffic, although brakes are a little "spongy". I am impressed with what Dodge has done with the Dakota.
Automatic transmission
No quality in the product. Chrysler and Flagship care less in selling the product. Got problems with the transmission; thus not fixing the problem. The extended warranty is a rip off do not buy it. I will tell every body is see to don't buy a Chrysler product. Is the first and the last. Good luck, Chrysler. Regarding Flag Ship will eventually go in bankruptcy