1999 Dodge Dakota 4x4 Sport review from North America

Cruise control doesn't work correctly below 65 mph except on very flat roads. Below that speed (e.g., 55 mph) it will downshift all the way to second gear when a hill is encountered resulting in 4000+ rpm. Very bad on an engine. Chrysler knows about it and there is no fix. My answer: buy the V8.

Detonation. Took until sometime in 2001, but Chrysler finally came out with a new ignition mapping that pretty much fixed the problem (every new car I've driven pings some).

Plastic hub centers on the wheels pop off and get lost, and are $15/each to replace.

The V6 is kinda gutless. They didn't have a 4x4 V6 when I bought mine, so I didn't realize it, or that the estimated mileage for the V6 and V8 is almost identical with 4WD. Buy the V8.

I kind of surprised by the number of negative comments I see about the Dakota. Mine is still on the original brake pads and shoes, and original tires at 64K miles. Other than the items listed above, this car has never been back to the dealer. And I'm pretty picky about vehicles, having grown up in the auto industry. Guess I've just been lucky. My one regret is having opted for the V6.