1998 Dodge Dakota SLT review from North America

Intake Manifold Gasket failed at about 15K.

Engine required re-synchronizing almost as soon as I bought the truck.

The Dakota has been loping when idling (since about 20K miles). It either has a vaccum leak or, as I fear, a leaking head gasket. Perhaps Dodge will buy me a new motor!

The transmission sensor went bad (at 33K)

The fuel filter failed (at 31K)

I suppose it's easy to tell that I cannot stand the truck. It has soured me on Dodge products in general. The service dept. at the five-star Dodge dealer has been good about helping, and I am very, very glad that I purchased a 7-year extended warranty on this vehicle.

I purchased a Dakota because it is the perfect size for the sort of work I do. I haul loads about 6x per year (1500 lbs or slightly more) for garden and farm. The truck also hauls lighter stuff on a regular basis. Otherwise I take the bus or walk to work--so the truck gets about 6K miles per year of duty. I am meticulous about maintaining the truck and use, for instance, Castrol Syntech oil that I change myself.

It's too bad the Dakota is so unreliable (see Consumer's Report) because it looks good and rides great. The only other truck in its size class, the Tundra, costs too much. Other trucks are too small or too darned big. I'll replace my Dodge with a Tundra or Tacoma as soon as the warranty runs out. Sigh.