1992 Dodge Dakota SLE 5.9L V8 Gas from North America

Summary:

Would not buy another Chrysler product

Faults:

Computer out at 26,000 cost $350.

Paint coming off at 30,000.

Transmission out at 59,000 cost $3900.

Engine out at 60,000 cost $7,900.

Computer out again at 77,000 cost $275.

Did three brake jobs in 84,000 miles.

Transmission out again at 96,000 cost $700.

Interior headliner came down at 96,500 miles.

At 100,000 miles no paint left on hood, roof or doors. Dodge says this is due to water based primer oil based paint.

Wickedly wild when running good, powerful engine.

General Comments:

Cost a lot of money to keep it up. Great engine, but everything else sucked.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st January, 2006

29th Mar 2006, 19:18

That is too bad. I have the paint problem, but otherwise my 91 is up to 90,000 miles with no problems.

9th Jul 2006, 12:33

How did you drive your dakota???

1992 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab 4X4 5.2L V8 from North America

Summary:

Very dependable truck to drive around town or to take out on the weekends

Faults:

Transmission screen went out at 145,000 miles.

General Comments:

Great medium duty truck will got through some mud smooth ride easy to control.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th January, 2006

9th Feb 2006, 03:09

Bought a 1991 Dodge Dakota ext cab Le v8 seems the rear diff has a whine to it Tran shifts awesome mileage 265000. while driving on the highway the engine totally quit for about a second then came back on power. then again while driving slowly in traffic the engine seemed to quit for about 5 seconds then came back then died for another second. has not done this since. anyone else have a problem like this and what repairs were needed.

1992 Dodge Dakota LE 4x4 5.2 Magnum from North America

Summary:

Powerful, Reliable, Great Truck!

Faults:

Intake Belly Pan Gasket (Known issue with all Magnum engines)

Paint (not many manufacturers did not have problems with paint during this era where the EPA mandated water-based paint)

General Comments:

This has been a great running, hard working truck.

Interior space isn't the greatest, but it is better than the S-10/Sonoma of similar years.

Mileage is a little worse than my previous truck (Chevy full size), however the engine in this truck is much more powerful and it is a 4x4 as well. My opinion is, if you want good mileage, buy a car, not a truck!

With regular service, I have had no problems so far and I don't really anticipate any.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th September, 2004

1992 Dodge Dakota LE 3.9 V6 from North America

Summary:

A great truck on the highway, on the streets, or off road, but not when handling more than 1500 lbs

Faults:

The front brake calipers began seizing at 87,000 miles.

The headliner began falling at 87,000 miles.

A $10 engine compartment AC vacuum check valve was replaced at 60,000 miles, and then again at 87,000 miles. The failing valve would allow the AC to blow hot when driving up hills.

The factory shock absorbers were replaced at 65,000 miles, improving ride and steering control.

General Comments:

The long bed on this truck swallowed a lot of cargo, as well as providing a smooth ride. Cornering performance wasn't as good as the short bed with more sway present, but still quite good.

The previous owners apparently did minimal service to this truck for the first seven years of ownership, as was evidence of the original factory spark plugs found at 60,000 miles. Performance was a bit sluggish, but still managed to accelerate adequately and got 18 mpg. Tuning up the motor, as well as replacing the oxygen sensor and muffler, improved acceleration drastically (see speeding ticket) while getting 20 mpg.

A Sure-Grip differential and upgrading from a 3.23 to a 3.54 axle ratio was added to utilize engine power while pulling a trailer or going off-road.

Transmission shifts in cold weather were slow, and the engine seemed underpowered until it reached operating temperature. Dodge had a technical service bulletin out with a redesigned fan clutch to alleviate the underpower problem, but at a whopping $400 for the part.

Larger six by nine mirrors were added for better visibility while trailering.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 22nd September, 2004

1992 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2 from North America

Summary:

Highly maneuverable with quick responses

Faults:

Radio dead at 30,000 miles.

Starter bad at 50,000 miles.

Water pump at 80,000 miles.

Computer replaced at 110,000 miles.

Paint started falling off body at 8 years.

General Comments:

2 wheel drive and regular cab with 5.2 V-8 (rare combination), is very quick with wonderful balance between low-end torque and relatively high-end power. This was the quickest non-Viper Chrysler made in 92.

Great steering and brake feel.

Smart size and ergonomics.

The paint literally started falling off the body in small sheets several years ago. This started when I noticed a hand-size portion of paint had blown-off on the hood, leaving nothing, but primer behind. This progressed for several years, leaving less and less paint. This seemed to be a chronic problem with some domestic products during this time period. It seems worse with trucks with white paint (which my truck has). I have seen this on many early 90's Dakotas. This requires full body stripping and repaint to correct.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2004

28th Jun 2005, 15:18

S.O.S. I own a 1992 Dodge sport Dakota... Great truck...but...It stalls out every I turn a corner... any advice..or solution... email me at jcube3@comcast.net.