neither of my dakotas have ever been in the shop and they're a combined 27 years old. It's called routine maintenance. But yes, every car company does produce vehicles that have problems sometimes. I think dodge needs to just scrap the 3rd generation dakota all together and start over from scratch. People want drastic changes in the body, interior, and power options and so far dodge hasnt done anything about it. People have been asking for a diesel for years. I am not a fan of diesels, but alot of people are, I think eventually dodge will either get rid of the dakota for finally put a diesel in it before too long. If I was dodge, I would put a small turbo diesel in a drasticaly refined dakota and watch all those sales roll in.

 

Nissan not supported by aftermarket. Did I read that right? They have more lift kits out for the 05 to 08 frontier than us dakota owners will ever see. I do like the frontier true the gas mileage is only slightly better but if dodge and nissan can take what each company does best and build a really good truck I would be interested. I would really like to see a dakota diesel hybrid.

 

apparently, no-one got that everything i said was wrong, so maybe it was sarcasm.... Pro 4x4, read the wholoe post and you will see that we agree.

How can you have problems associated with maint. when you have only been driving the vehicle long enough for 3-4 oil changes?

 

Ok I see now long day at work. The dakota is the best midsize truck out there I believe. Dodge could really sell tons of these trucks if they wanted too. Dodge wants to sell rams. Did anyone see the dodge commercial for there last big sales event. They showed every vehicle that dodge makes in that commercial exept one. Can you guess which one? How do you expect to sell the dakota if you don't market it? I have heard oh the midsize truck market is going down yea no wonder because they don't market them other than toyota. I don't really want to ditch my dakota but spending 50 to 55 bucks a week on gas when you can't afford to spend that kind of cash on gas makes it tough and its only going to get worse when summer comes. The dakota quad cab would be the perfect platform for a diesel hybrid or some kind of hybrid.

 

because the new 4.7 and 3.7 engines arent as reliable as the LA based engines that were around for over 50 years. I agree, the new dakotas seem to have alot of problems. I've watched my boss's 99 ram with a 318 run with no oil in the system. He complained of a ticking noise comming from the engine, and when he actually looked at the stick it was bone dry. You could hear the oil hitting the bottom of the oil pan, and he had been driving it that way for about a week. The truck still runs fine. I've also seen a 318 run for 2 months with a cracked block. Cast iron is alot stronger that aluminum. Now adays people are willing to trade reliability for a little performance, which is what the 4.7 has done.

 

idk we have not had any problems with my 4.7 or any of the other dodge engines we have had so idk what ur talking about 4.7 being unreliable, not as time tested true, but we ahve not had any problems w/ it

 

As I agree the LA series engines are arguably the best engines ever made, the 3.7 and to a lesser extent the 4.7 are extremely solid motors too.

 

i too have noticed that dodge hardly ever promotes the dakota, it's always the rams or the nitros. even though i dont particularly like the new dakota, they are still very capable trucks and without a doubt the best in their class. they just need to work on the 4.7 or scrap it for a cummins, and then actually promote itand the dakota will be back on top again.

 

You wash cars for a living and I am retarded? hehe. Maybe one day when you can afford a 3rd GEN you can judge it for yourself
By the way, if Nissan isn't on the same level as Dodge, how is it that Dodge is bankrupt and axing vehicles left and right to save $?

And as far as routine maintenance goes, what should I have done in the first 26k miles to prevent both front hubs from wearing out? And what maintenance would have kept my passenger side airbag light from going on and off on a daily basis?

 

thats why you have a warranty, and in defense of heavyk298 his truck is a hell of alot better than yours and you are retarded.