Overview & Reviews

A new value-priced 2002 Dodge Dakota SXT debuts and includes 16-inch alloys, automatic tranny, air conditioning, bucket seats and CD player. An appearance group consisting of graphite-colored bumpers, grille and fender flares is also fitted to the SXT.

• Available V8 power, commodious cabin, commendable performance on road and off.

• Poor fuel consumption with V8, upper trim levels can get pricey if loaded up with options.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 110.00

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  Could have been - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Nate - October 14 - 9:46 pm

  Ive had the 4.7L for 8 years and as a whole it has been decent. I like the ride comfort, roominess of the cab, power and the 4wd in the snow. However, the front end has been painful to maintain. Seems that it always has issues whether it be ball joints, cv joints, flex hoses, calipers seizing up, various bushings needing replacement, etc. The calipers have actually seized 3 times. Crazy. Without the front-end problems this would have been the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Since this is not the case, the 83 Subaru GL 4wd I had in college still reigns supreme.

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  big time - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By snakebite - August 13 - 8:20 pm

  this is the best truck you can buy!!!! i have 33 in super swampers on mine and it will climb thing up side down (figuritavily speeking)!! Im so happy i got my dodge; now im no affraid to drive in the rain, sleet, smow, wind, or hail. i have no worries! I have used my truck for every thing from pulling out a couple F-350s and some Chevys here and there. but i also go offroading (mostly mud bogging and rockclimbing)and hunting with it. it has never been suck and it had been to the doors in mud (3 feet about)all i need now is some air lockers for the rock climbing!! and there comeing!

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  i give it 8 gold medals - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By kylenewc - July 17 - 11:25 pm

  Not only is this the best mid size truck ever, no other comany has anything like it. powerful,fun,sound,comfort,room,and 4X4 is all amazing. to all the complainers about fuel millage, take a full size truck for a spin and tell me if its any better. the truck has given me some minor problems that about any truck would have.

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  150K and still loving it. Dodge Rules! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By dodgeman - January 5 - 9:09 am

  This is my first truck, and my first Dodge product. I own a Nissan car, and this has proven to be just as reliable. I purchased this with 70K on the odometer and just clicked 150,000. I love this truck. It has proven to be the most reliable vehicle ever. Ive had my share of small issues like seals on the A/C compressor ($90), resistor fan switch ($50) ignition ($200) hose leaks (due to my lack of maintenance) but it has never failed to start and drive since Ive owned it. These trucks do not get the respect they deserve. I have beaten this thing down (waiting 8- 9K before oil changes, never serviced tranny, differential, filters, fluids, nothing. Just brakes, oil, tires and the key.

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  Great truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By fast - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Great truck i love to drive it ,it drives like a car.I was going to buy a SUV, like a Jeep Liberty or explorer,but this is like a SUV but with a bed for stuff!Its been a gas hog so far 2000 miles avg 14mpg with a v6 5speed thats almost all highway!I got to bring it to dealer to see if somthins wrong i suspect a vacume leak ,i hear a whistling at 2000rpm think its somthing small.love everyting else 4x4s great.

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  This truck wrote the book of awesome. - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Jon - December 5 - 10:52 pm

  This truck really is great. Its really more of a people hauler, with its ridiulously massive interior that comfortably seats 5 full size adults plus a child in the front middle. Yet despite this, the 5.9L magnum has plenty of get up and go, enough in fact to send this pickup 0-60 in about 8 seconds, which isnt bad at all for a truck. Its also got plenty of torque that can pull a trailer, a bed full of whatever, and a loaded cab all at the same time. Ive used it for camping, towing both cars and trailers, Ive even used it to pull a tree stump out of my yard. Currently a daily driver, still going strong after about 7 years of service, only problems have been 1 or 2 recalls, nothing major.

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  Horrible Mileage then Blown Engine! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Bill - December 3 - 11:26 am

  I bought this vehicle at a Dodge Dealership used for $9k with 27k on it. Changed my oil to Mobil 1 upon purchase, and regularly at 3k intervals. Worst truck I have ever owned. The 3.9L engine knocks/taps when put under load. At 32k engine light came on, code said that 2 of 4 oxy-sensors needed replaced, $96 each, did myself, 3k later the other 2 go out. Put 10k on a year, only light hauling, never towed a trailer. At 51k motor blows, with "extended" 50k warranty . Dealer gave me nothing, they wanted $3,200 for new motor (replace crap with crap!). Rebuilt myself, case full of sludge,lower bearings trashed. No space to recline seats. Cant wait to dump this 10 to 12 MPG nightmare.

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  Saying Goodbye To My Dakota - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By John - August 19 - 3:45 pm

  I recently sold my 2002 Dodge Dakota. And I miss it already! I purchased it right off the truck in October 2001 and I fell in love with it right away. 7 years, 125,000 miles and very few repairs! The redesign and the low quality materials Mopar currently is using do not do my all-time favorite vehicle justice. I went everywhere in this truck. I got my moneys worth out of it. Goodbye Dakota! (Yes, I know Im a dork but still...)

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  Good Truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Maddog - July 25 - 9:07 am

  Bought this truck used and it now has 115,000 miles on the 3.9 V-6. The truck does not use any oil and runs well. The 5 speed manual has nice gear spacing and is easy to use. I average 18-19 around town and 20-22 on the highway. The quad cab is useful and it does what I need it to do. Good truck Dodge!

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  Solid small truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Bryan - April 12 - 11:27 am

  Bought this truck nearly 2 years ago. It has the big V8 and so far have been pleased. Spacious interior for small truck and convenient features. Only complaints are: rough shift into overdrive (worries me it may go out, but has been that way since I bought it and hasnt failed as of yet), and POOR, POOR, POOR fuel economy. This truck averages 13-14 MPG which is terrible for a truck this size. Dont know much about the smaller V8 but should have look into it. I bought this privately and got a great deal. I have recently bought a 22 travel trailer and the Dakota pulls it well. So far its everhying I wanted, with the exception of the large fuel bills.