2002 Dodge Dakota SLT 4x4 from North America - Comments

After I took this truck in for the defective ball joint recall, the truck wonders to the left. I called the dealership, but they were quick to dismiss any error on their part. I also had to replace the whole front drive shaft. The original has a CV joint which failed when the boot cracked. I replaced it with an after market drive shaft which does away with the CV joint all together. I also have a small puddle of water that develops, on the front passenger floor, after constant rainfall. This Beast is a gas guzzler! The older the vehicle gets, its appetite increases also. Lately, it seems to be very "jumpy" at high speeds. I replaced all the spark plugs, but it still seems to drive like it has cylinder (s) misfiring. Very annoying! I've also had the engine light come on several times due to "very small evaporative leak." Each time it has been corrected by replacing the gas cap. Other times, it was due to vacuum hoses cracking. I also have the same squeaking noise going over small bumps. I've noticed it only doesn't during the cold season. I'm thinking its the factory shocks. Currently, I'm trying to isolate an exhaust leak. The annoying leak is loud when the truck is first started. After it warms up, it almost goes away. I'm thinking it is a cracked manifold or the gasket gave. I've owned a F150 before. I should have kept the darn thing. I wanted an affordable 4x4 truck and is how I ended up with this Dakota. Wish I knew then what I know now. I considered buying a Jeep Wrangler, but have read some of the poor reviews on that vehicle. Maybe its just Dodge/Chrysler issue. I'm not going to find out the hard way. I'm going back to GM or Ford.

I see now why Daimler decided to dump Chrysler. The Dakota is a good idea on paper. It's heavy and sluggish when the miles start adding up. It's just poor quality dressed up to look impressive. If you haven't bought one yet, remove the idea from your head now.

You are comparing this mid-sized pick-up to a full-sized F-150. This has more power than the other mid-sized pick-up. If you wanted the same type of power, you should have stayed with a full-sized truck.

I have always said; don't ever complain about the make or model of a car when you buy used. You don't know how the previous owner took care of the car.

What kind of mileage does yours get? Mine is at 97K and still gets 20-25mpg. If I go 55 I can get 38mpg. My only problem is that the engine light is on but the engine is fine. It really doesn't bother me. So far I love my Dakota.