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 1 through 10 of 110.00

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  Dakota sxt v6 regular cab - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By mainer351 - February 1 - 11:05 am

  Best and most reliable truck ever owned. When I first got it, needed a computer and some maintenance after that it runs like a champ and it does what I ask it to do and never lets me down. The 3.9 v6 magnum starts right up in sub zero temps in the middle of brutal Maine winters and runs strong. The truck gets up and goes with the 3.92 rear , while its missing top end power. The 4wd in the truck is awesome with good clearance and it out classes any fords, chevys, and toyotas offroad. Take this truck to rugged Maine north country offroad through mud holes , rivers and mountains every summer to go camping and its never giving me a problem. Very good looking truck and fun to drive.

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  Overall a Great Truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By markbg - March 30 - 9:21 pm

  Bought new in 02. Love the looks of this model year and still get compliments on it. Great versatility for hauling cargo and misc. stuff in the bed and comfortable enough to fit four adults or family in the cab. Its been a reliable vehicle, but one thing Id do over is opt for the larger engine. Same or better mileage with the V8 and better performance. Still a wonderful truck!

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  I love my Dodge - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Cal - January 8 - 5:18 pm

  Ive had my truck since it had 27 miles on it and it currently sits at a hair below 130k. Besides the water pump going bad and it still running fine for 3 years until it finally exploded, Ive had not a lick of problems. Other then the standard oil changes around 5k miles and only 2 tuneups, I havent touched a single thing otherwise. This truck has been through hell and back and still starts at the turn of a key. 2500 lbs of block in the bed couldnt hurt this truck. Beaten and abused is the best way to put it and its still my daily driver. IF it ever dies, i will indeed be looking for my next dakota. Excellent truck. By far the best vehicle Ive owned.

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  Great Overall Truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By gmax86 - November 30 - 3:58 pm

  I bought this truck in October of 05 with 53k miles on it. I now have a little over 93k on it and I havent had any major problems so far which is to be expected on a vehicle with less than 125k and normal driving conditions. The ride is very comfortable for a pickup truck with above average handling. I also love the size, not too small and not too big. The only thing Im not impressed with my truck is the interior could be better. Its cheap plastic. My glove box handle fell off and almost every peice of plastic has at least 1 small crack on it. But overall I love this truck. Its my second Dakota (had an 88) and Im not sure if Id ever get anything other than a Dakota. Dodge rocks!

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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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  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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  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.