2001 Dodge Dakota SLT 4.7L V8 from North America

Summary:

Fun truck, but Mother Mopar could have done better

Faults:

Within two days of purchase, the front brake rotors warped and had to be turned.

At about 26,000 miles it developed an ignition miss.

At 26,000 miles the exhaust hanger on the right side simply broke (the metal broke right in the middle).

At 27,000 miles the transfer case came apart, literally, while in two-wheel-drive (I was going 75mph on the freeway at the time).

General Comments:

The truck looks awesome when it's clean.

It's fun to drive when it is running right.

The interior is very comfortable.

It performs great off-road.

However, the gas mileage is terrible (17mpg-highway/ 14mpg-city).

The automatic transmission's shift points are too low and rob the engine of performance- not a high performance trans, for sure.

The front end bobs, creeks and growls under hard stop.

The 3yr/36,000 warranty is standard, unless you want to pay more for the 7yr/70,000. (which is disappointing since all of the other major manufacturers offer 7/70 standard)

The warranty service is horrible at both dealerships I've had to take the truck to for service.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th July, 2002

16th Aug 2004, 08:23

Having owned a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad cab 4X4 I have run into similar repair issues with my vehicle.

I bought the truck new through a dealer from the factory. The first thing I noticed upon driving the vehicle was excessive whirring sound coming from the rear differential. This was very noticeable when driving down an off ramp on the highway where the engine is slowing down and engine noise is diminishing. It was at about 35 –45 MPH when you would start to hear this loud whirring sound from the rear end. The dealer/mechanic did think the noise was excessive and change some shims in the differential. The sounds was reduced.

Another issue was a snapping sound that could be heard when the steering wheel was turned all the way to the left/right and you went over a slight bump. Driving over such an obstacle created this loud “snap” that did not sound good. The dealer looked at that and said some bolts where loose in the frame (maybe the transfer case area). It still happens from time to time, but not nearly as much or as loud as it did before…..so that’s my “noise in the front end” story.

Finally the brakes. I have about 24k miles on the truck now and just this weekend (like within 50 miles of driving) the brakes are grinding. So they are definitely due for work, but prior to that my rotors appeared to be warped as well.

Way before the grinding I hear now, I was actually feeling a pulsing in the pedal which usually a good indicator that your rotors are warped. I went to the dealer about that, but Dodge/Daimler has not told dealers that there is a problem with the brake system prematurely warping the rotors, so the dealer would not cover it as part of warranty.

Another problem I have seen with the braking system is that in an emergency, when I had to slam on the brakes, it feels sometimes like the brakes just go to mush and they do not stop the vehicle properly. In the two occasions this occurred to me, what saved me from rear-ending the vehicle in my path was my ability to brake as hard as I could while steering around the obstacle.

On the other hand I guess you could say the anti-lock brakes work well because I have never heard a squeal out of my tires when the brakes are applied. Maybe I’m old school because sometimes hearing that squeal let’s me know the brakes ARE working.

Also, the auxiliary power outlet stopped working. I haven’t found a blown fuse either so I have no idea what’s up with that?

Other those things, I like the truck. I would buy it again if I knew these things above were corrected in the new model. I see no reason to go out and purchase another vehicle that probably has it’s own NEW set of problems.

1st Mar 2005, 22:55

I also have a 2001 Quad Cab Dakota and the first thing I noticed after I drove it off the lot was the whirring noise coming from the rear end. I was told that it was normal, but it is really annoying. The O2 sensor just went out after 74k miles, but that is something that can hold off for a while. I also noticed the popping noise when I am turning and hit a bump.

Other than that I really like the look of the Dakota. It has plenty of power and even after 74k miles, it still feels like a new truck. The body and engine are in perfect working condition. Overall I am pretty pleased with the trucks performance. The gas mileage is not that great, but I knew what I was getting myself into. I average about

15 mpg in the city.

Other than the couple of annoying noises I hear, I am pleased with the truck overall.

2001 Dodge Dakota Sport 1.5 Magnum from North America

Summary:

The best mid sized truck

Faults:

Nothing, so far.

General Comments:

I'm very happy with my Dakota.

Have had no problems with it.

Plenty of power for what I need.

If I needed more power and to waste more gas, I would've gotten a bigger engine.

Recently hauled 2 loads of stone.

Each weighing about 1200lbs/load.

Didn't have to overwork engine.

The a/c works great.

Everything works great.

I have no complaints.

I love the way it looks and feels.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th April, 2002

2001 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4 3.9 from North America

Summary:

Beware what you buy?

Faults:

When I picked up the truck from the dealer, there was a large dent behind the driver's side door on the cab. This was fixed, but it took about a month.

When I reached about 6k miles the steering coupler went. I was getting a clunk in the steering wheel every time I came to a stop and started back up again. When I took it to the dealer they had stated they could not duplicate the problem. What I found ironic is that the trucks odometer and trip was the same as when I had dropped it off. It was also in the same parking spot. I ended up having to have the mechanic drive with me and he stated "I'm not sure what it is, but there is definitely something wrong with this truck." This was fixed without any problems.

Now the truck has 12500 miles and the front end is very clunky and rattling every time I hit a series of bumps in the road. Once again I took it in and they could not duplicate, so I will have to have the mechanic drive with me again.

I have also noticed the truck's gas mileage is much lower than what the dealer sticker states. (17-20 as opposed to the real 13.5-18)

General Comments:

If I didn't have the problems with the truck, I would be very pleased with the truck as a whole. When operating correctly truck drives very nicely.

I got rid of my old truck and didn't want to buy a used truck, because of potential repairs, which I still have to deal with, just not pay for. Either way it is still a pain in the butt.

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

Review Date: 10th February, 2002