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 31 through 40 of 110.00-
Glad I Bought - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By New Fan - December 20 - 4:51 pmWe needed the functionality of a truck, but also needed to carry four or more people. I spent many months researching and driving different trucks which would fill our needs included the 05 Tacoma, 05 Frontier, Sportrac, Colorado, and S-10, but I kept coming back to the Dakota. Reasons: solid feel, comfortable interior, tight turning radius, looks, power, pleasant ride, and plentiful options. We have not been disapointed. We knew that we would be sacrificing fuel economy, but it is still better than full size trucks. Though used with over 55K miles, it still feels new and other than a loose gas cap, have not had any problems.
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MLW Dakota - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By MLW - September 20 - 11:35 amOverall this is a great truck. I bought it to pull a 3 place snowmobile trailer and it does a good job, however it needs different gearing. It always hunts for the correct gear between 55- 65 mph under or over that speed seems ok, plus the gas mileage when towing is poor at best. Otherwise, its has been a reliable truck, and I would buy another!
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Gas mileage - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By Joel - August 26 - 1:35 amI love my truck and the way it rides. The only problem is the gas mileage. I might get 17 MPG on the highway if Im lucky. Thats driving around 60 to 70 MPH with the tailgate down. Ive talked to others who own a Dakota and they average about the same.
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Its the suspension stupid - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By Dan H - July 30 - 8:31 pmThis is my second Dakota. The ball joints have been replaced on both twice now.Other than that, its a good little truck. 18/19 mpg and I make it work for its gas. The transmission is quirky, but still going strong, and I will likely buy another. The brakes arenot too good
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Given up on Dodge - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By Chuck - May 25 - 4:10 pmThought I would "buy American" and get the Dodge Dakota 4 dr crew. Love its style, comforts, more power than I need (4.7L V8) 2WD has no traction in snow or ice. Very easy to drive and comfortable 6ft.2 220lbs.(2 trips NJ to Calif.) Gas mileage stinks...13-18mpg, no loads. Brake rotors replaced 28K, Left top ball joint worn (no recall yet)A/C needed charging, Right front hub and bearings replaced 49K, rear leaf spring noisy, transmission hesitation occasionally. Great truck to drive and haul but reliability really in question with only 49K. Probably back to Nissan or Toyota.
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Nice truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By joe - March 15 - 6:15 pmThis truck is fun to drive. The V8 is a must. Back seat is roomy for kids, but a little tight for large adults. The rear seat belts are the easiest Ive used for installing car seats. I replaced a poor fitting vacuum hose and need to take it in to take care of recall issues. Gas milege isnt the best. A lot of vibration when driving with the windows down.
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Annoying vehicle - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By Magno - December 6 - 12:26 am1200 mi in 3 mo because of problems. Steering is stiff around center and very light elsewhere causes oversteer. Vehicle rolls excessively. Trans failed at 230 miles -no oil from factory. Backlash in the drivetrain and lurches at low speed. 2300 RPM power falls off then surges. RPM takes long time to drop- grinds syncros if shifted too fast. Clutch pedal has no feel-like a wet sponge. Shift light is annoying. Underpowered. Needs automatic to hide problems. Drivers mirror has big blind spot.
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look for something else! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By luca66 - September 30 - 2:00 amI was so hoping this would be a great truck to keep for always...in a word...not! Electrical, air, engine problems. should of bought a toyota. No resale value, not dependable, and the service dept too lax ( at least here in L.A.). It quickly runs through a tank of gas and can be as expensive as a luxury SUV...on premium fuel. In conclusion...sadly disappointed with this vehicle and cant wait to get rid of it. Like the other reviewer stated...good for the first 20k miles after that...good luck. Sorry dodge, but work a little harder on your product...looks cool, but that aint enough kid.
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should have bought the ford - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By grani - September 17 - 2:00 amNothing but probs from day one. First week, stalled in wet weather on the highway. Next the seal on back window leaked. Brakes shot by 25k. Truck is babied while driven, no hot shots. Now one month after new brakes, rotors, the left wheel is smoking. Then the service engine lite repeatedly comes on. Said the gas cap needed replacement. New vehicle, what a lemon.Customer service stinks since day one.Service dept stinks from day one.The grill is cheap plastic, just broke trying to open the hood.My brother has same truck and had brakes go bad at early mileage.
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02 R/T - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By Dougzilla04 - August 9 - 2:00 amOverall, a decent truck. When it stays out of the shop i love it. but it has spent a lot of time there. My truck has about 32,000 miles on it now and i have to take it back for its second set of ball joints. In 2003 its spent about 3 months in the shop for mechanical and engine malfunctions. Dodges customer service was terrible. At four different dealerships i was not allowed to get a rental car paid for which i think was wrong considering how little i got to drive the vehicle. I know a lot of people that have Dodges and dont have the number of issues that i had, but after this truck i will be going back to toyotas and/or nissans for dependablity reasons.
