1995 Dodge Dakota SLT 3.9 Magnum

Summary:

An extremely durable truck with a great ride and comfortable interior

Faults:

The starter went out immediately after I bought the truck.

I had to replace the brake pads.

Several seals began to leak including the two front axle seals and one transfer case seal.

The radiator warped and began to leak.

The fuel gauge quit working.

General Comments:

I had enough money to buy a new striped truck or a used truck that had every option I wanted. I chose used. It has a v-6 automatic with a club cab and on the fly 4x4. It has power everything; from locks to mirrors. I really love this truck. I have only had minor problems with it. Almost all of the problems with it were because of the way I drive it. I used to take it down any mud road I could find and just try to get it stuck. I drove it in a flood plane with my truck pushing a wake higher than the hood when the truck finally flooded out. After I drained several quarts of water out of the cylinders and changed the oil, the truck ran great again. I have put my truck through the worst conditions I could find, and it has done exceptional. I feel that the truck has performed better than any s-10 or ranger I have ever seen.

The truck runs powerful and will pull it's own weight, but it is not extremely fast in drag races. An s-10 did manage to out run me one night, but it doesn't happen that often.;) Any body who has ever rode with me when I first got this truck will tell you that I put it to the test, and I feel that it succeeded with flying colors. This last year, I decided to grow up and stop trying to destroy a truck that I bought in immaculate shape. It hasn't had a single problem since I cleaned it up and kept it out of the mud. My only negative comment about this truck is the lack of true v-6 quality fuel mileage. it only received 18 miles per gallon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th December, 2002

3rd Jul 2008, 22:49

Dude it's a TRUCK! 18 miles per gallon in a 4x4 truck is great!

21st Jan 2015, 02:14

Let me tell you... V6 fuel economy is terrible in cars, much less trucks. 18 miles to the gallon is stellar in a V6 truck, especially in a truck with the aerodynamics of a cinder block.

1995 Dodge Dakota SLT Club Cab 5.2 V-8

Summary:

Well worth the investment

Faults:

Nothing out of the ordinary has occured. I replaced 2 water pumps, clutch fan, 2 alternators, and transmission at 260,000 miles. I just replaced the radiator at 375,000 miles.

General Comments:

This truck has performed well beyond my expectations. I drive 100,000 plus miles per year, mostly highway the past year. Fuel mileage averages about 17 mpg combined. I change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles. Still has original exhaust. Engine has never been apart except to replace oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets.

Except for something unusual to occur, I expect to put well in excess of 500,000 miles on this truck and original engine. I run Castrol 10W-40 winter and Castrol 20W-50 summer. I use one quart of oil every 3,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th January, 2002

27th Oct 2002, 09:04

Lucky you. The rear end went out at 10,000 miles. At 90,000 miles I'm now on my third radiator. The transmission was replaced at 110,000 miles. This morning the starter died. This truck has cost me plenty in repairs and lost hours at work.

10th Nov 2002, 12:32

Re: to the "Lucky You" writer; I would like to know your maintenance history as compared to the original writer you commented on. Seems he kept real good care of his truck and got the most out of it. How was your care factor as opposed to the vehicle problems?

23rd Nov 2002, 22:04

I agree... except for the part about the transmission. It's a Chrysler product! What do you expect? The only Chrysler vehicle made in the last 10 years that I know of as having a reliable automatic transmission are those good old Plymouth Acclaims/Dodge Spirits, made from '89-'95. The 4-speed automatic in my '92 lasted 200,000 miles and it was not a babied car! Mind you, mine was a 4 cylinder/4-speed automatic model, not the terribly unreliable V6/4-speed automatic model. The Dakota is a great truck, except for that transmission. Everything else is great about it though! Reliable, safe, rugged. What more could you ask for in a pickup!

1995 Dodge Dakota Sport Extended Cab 3.9L V-6

Summary:

I am well satisfied with this truck

Faults:

The fuel gauge jumps around erratically, due to reader card wear. I noticed this at about 75,000 miles.

The catalytic converter ceramic cracked and started to rattle at about 80,000 miles.

The water pump developed a leak at the bottom at about 92,000 miles. This was very easy to repair.

General Comments:

The only thing about this truck that really disappointed me, was the turning radius. This was equal to a extended cab, full size pick-up. Dodge did correct this problem in 1997.

I have driven this truck on several long distance road trips, and have found that for a "mid size" pick-up, it rides nice, and handles as well as some cars I have driven.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th July, 2001

26th Dec 2002, 10:08

Yes, the turning radius on the 2 wheel drive Dakota is poor, but turning radius is excellent on the 4x4, I've owned both (1995).

3rd May 2003, 07:20

My 1995 Dodge Dakota, was the best truck I have ever owned. It was in a wreck this year (2003) and totaled. I never had any problems with it. It drove as good the last time I drove it as it did the day I bought it.

1995 Dodge Dakota LST 3.9

Summary:

A truck built only to get out of the warranty period

Faults:

Air-conditioning drier leaked at 32000 miles.

Voids in castings of front brake rotors noticed at 80,000 miles.

Transmission slow to shift at about 70,000 miles.

General Comments:

Chrysler refused to stand behind any defects. For example, on brake rotors, said only warranted for 12,000 miles. Who plans on replacing their rotors every 12,000 miles!

Cab very noisy, especially with only one window open. Back center window always rattles and wind noise.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th March, 2001