1999 Dodge Dakota SLT 318 from North America

Summary:

Love it, toughest pick-up I've ever owned!

Faults:

Transfer case lost the chain after about 190000 miles.

General Comments:

I have put a lot of miles on my truck, and only 1 major repair, probably due to pulling people out of snow banks. It still has the original clutch, and the engine and tranny have never been apart. It's been ridden hard and put away wet, and it just keeps on ticking.

The truck has more power than it could ever use, and out performs any mid size truck I've ever been in or owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd September, 2010

1999 Dodge Dakota Sport Crew Cab 3.9 V6 from North America

Summary:

The real definition of a truck

Faults:

I bought this truck from a farmer (it had been sitting in his field for 2 years) for $1000. He stopped driving it and parked it in the field, due to the check engine light coming on. Turned out to be a bad spark plug wire, causing it to misfire on 1 cylinder, and throw an emissions code.

Transmission seal leaked from sitting for 2 years.

Freeze plug pushed out from sitting.

Rats chewed up the lighting wires.

Tires were dry rotted.

Farmer was a large man, and flattened the seat foam permanently; just sit on a pillow.

2 years in the field and not a spot of rust! Paint faded and peeled, exposing primer.

Changed tranny fluid and gasket, put in aftermarket lights, changed the paint color from purple to intense blue pearl, added 31 x 10.5 prime well pa100 tires (awesome quality, I will forever buy these tires so long as they make them). Added fender flares, and a K&N drop in filter kit (1,000,000 mile warranty).

New exhaust factory style.

Brake lines replaced.

Still have under $5000 invested in the whole truck.

General Comments:

4x4 works great.

Awesome power for a V6.

Reliability is unmatched.

Style is awesome. Could have bought a new one, but these are so cool looking.

Tough. Very tough truck.

Not terrible on gas, but could be better.

I would definitely buy another.

I have owned 3. I lost 1 to a wreck, which safety wise worked very well. I sold the other one to buy a 4x4.

It was definitely worth every penny.

If you want a reliable truck, 4x4 or not, that will not let you down, buy one of these body styles, you will not be disappointed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th September, 2010

1999 Dodge Dakota Sport 3.6L V6 from North America

Summary:

Best truck I've owned - 5 years without one issue

Faults:

Catalytic converter went out at 50,000 miles - however it only made a rattling noise, and the replacement was covered by the dealer because it was recalled.

General Comments:

Good power, nothing too extraordinary, but definitely gets the job done.

I have hauled boats, trailers, and tons of gravel in the back with hardly any loss of power... quite nice for a V6.

Interior is roomy and the ride is excellent! I can't say enough about the ride of this truck! It's smooth like a car, but rugged enough for off road.

I have had nothing go out or anything happen to this truck; it's been perfect, and I've owned it for 5 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2010

1999 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2 (318) from North America

Summary:

I love it!!!

Faults:

All I've had to do besides regular up-keep is change the upper and lower ball joints.

General Comments:

I love this truck!!!

I will never buy anything but a Dodge.

Haven't had any real trouble with it.

The 318 has tons of power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th September, 2009

1999 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4 5.2 from North America

Summary:

Perfect

Faults:

Tune up at 50000, new shocks at 93000.

General Comments:

Never a problem. Lots of power, tows fine, love it to this day, would never buy anything else.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th January, 2009

1999 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2 (318 c.i.) from North America

Summary:

Woo-Hoo, like it a lot

Faults:

Replaced heater core at 187000 km.

Replaced inner tie-rod end / rack bushings / wheel bearings at 187000 km.

Replaced control arm bushings (upper right side) at 200000 km (give or take).

Replaced throttle position sensor (TPS) at 220000.

Replaced battery at 230000.

General Comments:

OK, so when I bought the truck, there were a few issues, but it was fairly cheap as compared to other trucks exactly like it at the time. After those things were fixed it was great.

When the control arm bushings went out, it was signified by a thump and jerk on the steering. Cost about $300 to fix, including alignment (less than I thought it would at the time), but had to wait for parts because as of that point in time aftermarket bushings were unavailable. Not sure if that has changed yet or not.

About 6 months into ownership, riding down the highway, the engine surges, but the speed does not. Change service engine light comes on (this only happened once in a blue moon. Codes (8) set were a misfire on all cylinders. I was not concerned until it was more severe. My mechanic could not figure it out on his own; had to take him for a ride with the diagnostic tool plugged in, there was a surge in the voltage of the TPS every time the engine would surge (let's try changing the TPS he finally says!) voila no more surging, yay!

Just replaced the battery couple of days ago. Was starting to turn over slow last winter, still the original battery, not bad, 9 years on one battery.

It's due for some more front end work soon (ball joints; they are original too).

Rear tires wear quite quickly (I have a lead foot) and passing on the highway is no problem (it'll set you back in your seat even accelerating from 100 km/h).

I love my truck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2008