2005 Dodge Dakota SLT review from North America

I purchased this car new/used. It had been a one year lease return.

At 29000K the transmission started to act up. It would shift oddly, and would lurch/vibrate at slower speeds. I brought it into the dealer and had it reprogrammed. The shifting problem stopped, however the vibration and lurching continued. I brought it in two other times, the dealer was not able to find any problem that were transmission related.

At 32000 miles a severe vibration started to happen in the front of the vehicle at highway speeds. It would come and go with no apparent reason. I brought it into the dealer wondering if it was a drive shaft or transmission problem. The dealer could not find any transmission or driveshaft issues. About 100 miles later the front left caliper froze up, this making it very hard to drive without frying the brakes/rims-tires. I brought the vehicle in and the dealer replaced the caliper.

At 33000 miles I noticed some rust forming on the radiator support. I brought the vehicle into the dealer to see if it was structural. The dealer agreed to have the support replaced under the body rust portion of the warranty. The body shop had the car for a week, a 2-3 estimate was given, and I was told that the body shop found more than they had originally though was wrong. I was told that I would receive pictures of the frame rust, they have never sent them to be...

36000 miles my check engine light came on. It would stay on for weeks and then pop off. I took the vehicle to my mechanic and was told that a sensor in the fuel management was malfunctioning. I took the vehicle into the dealer to have them check it out, they ended up replacing the EGR vavle.

Other than these issues listed, the vehicle has some minor rattling above the ceiling (mind you without my subs in it) and the engine has started to make a whirring noise when I start it (I think the starter may be on its way out!).

I purchased the Dakota because my father had two of them and had great luck with them. He still has his 88' and his 95' runs amazingly well for the crap he puts it through.

However the 05' HAS BEEN NOTHING, but A HEADACHE! I bought a new car to avoid problem and got nothing, but them. I know that it is the 1 generation, but this vehicle has some major faults.

My suggestion would be, if you are going to purchase a Dakota, avoid the 05'-06' models, they were the first generation and are still getting all the bugs worked out. It is a smooth truck with great handling, but it lacks the trustworthiness that the Dakota name has brought.