2001 Dodge Dakota SLT from North America - Comments

So far so good.

I got my Dakota Dec. 3, 2003 and love it.

After reading some of these reviews I will be holding my breath.

This little truck drives and handles almost as good as my 92 Z28 did.

I would like to see a little better gas mileage, being this is a V6. I only get just about 17 mpg on the highway and got over 20 mpg in the Z28.

I am worried about the ball joint problems that I have seen on TV. I hope Chrysler will issue a recall or warranty notice on this.

I love the body style of this Dakota and the great way it performs.

My husband is 6'4" and finds the single cab not to comfortable for him. Plenty of room for me.

I can haul as bulky of a load as I can in my F250.

Hopefully you got your recall letter on the ball joint problem. I received mine in early 2005 I believe. I absolutely LOVED my 2001 Dakota and it did handle amazingly well. At the time I also owned a 5.0 Mustang and I actually felt much safer driving fast in my Dakota than in it. I had the fuel efficient 4 and I averaged 22mpg. I had installed a K&N filter, Flowmaster muffler, and used synthetic oil, all of which helped the power a little, though it was plenty powerful enough to hold its own in traffic and haul my camping gear easily.

Sadly, my Dakota was totalled in early 2006. I hate the dog-ugly styling of the new Dakotas, and the fact that they are only offered as a super cab and no longer have the fuel-efficient 4. I opted to go back to the Ford Ranger as my new truck.

Hopefully you will have a great experience with your Dakota. Mine never once saw the inside of a service department in 5 years. It was an awesome truck. I miss it.