Overview & Reviews

The midsize Dodge Dakota is all new for 2005. Improvements include a hydroformed boxed steel frame, a coil-over front suspension, three excellent engine options, a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission, revised styling and improved build quality.

• Strong engine lineup, choice of part-time or full-time four-wheel drive, comfortable and refined interior, nimble handling.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 109.00

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  I messed up this time - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By L. Duke - November 2 - 10:07 pm

  As much a Dodge fan that I am, this is not looking good. I have a vibration problem, the suspension is very soft, the front end pulls and clunks. I am very dissatisfied, and this will probably be my last Dodge.

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  No Ford! Dodge! - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By chesman12 - September 21 - 7:58 pm

  Just bought my 05 4wd Dakota 4 months ago. Love it on road- off road even more! Thought it was too low it crawled over everything like it was pavement! Reliability is awesome. Can take this truck ANYWHERE you can think up. 4lock works great- very impressed.First 4wd Ive owned. Best overall mid-size truck on the market- roomy, comfortable, [even in the ext. part.]

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  112,000 & climbing - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Worm - September 11 - 7:38 pm

  Its been a great truck for the work & travel that I do. Average 21.5 mpg with the V6. Still on the original tires, had the brakes done at 105,000 miles. Change the oil every 6,000 miles. The fronts needed replacement, the rears just needed adjustment. The only other thing that has been replaced was the ambient air sensor. Still has plenty of power in heavy traffic.

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  problem with tie rods - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By db - June 11 - 5:46 am

  Purchased new. Currently has 21,000 miles on it. Have been very happy with it up to this point. However, recently began hearing scraping noise when turning. Thinking it was the brakes we took it to mechanic. Turns out it is the tie rod which needs to be replaced. Told not to drive it until repair is done because it is unsafe. This is totally unacceptable for a vehicle with so few miles on it. Expected much better quality from Dodge. Would not recommend this vehicle to anyone. I believe that having to put out major money on a repair like this for a vehicle with such low miles speaks volumes about Dodge quality.

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  Automatic transmission - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By flagship - May 22 - 1:47 pm

  No quality in the product. Chrysler and Flagship care less in selling the product. Got problems with the transmission thus not fixing the problem. The extended warranty is a rip off do not buy it. I will tell every body is see to dont buy a Chrysler product. Is the first and the last. Good luck, Chrysler. Regarding Flag Ship will eventually go in bankruptcy

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  My truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By meatman - May 8 - 6:45 pm

  Truck is solid all around. Fun to drive and looks sharp. Is not to good on gas for a 6 cylinder, and does need some more power under the hood. Great in mud and sand. Towing power is not to bad for the size of the truck.

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  Unsafe to tow with - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By michaellrar - April 27 - 3:50 pm

  Purchased this truck a year before I purchased the travel trailer I was going to pull behind it. Only made one trip with 24 foot travel trailer before parking the truck. Traveled from Little Rock, AR to Pigeon Forge, TN and back summer of 2006. It was the white knuckled trip from hell. The transmission and engine acted up the whole time I was pulling the trailer. Truck is rated for 7050 lbs and my trailer was 4000 lbs dry and 5100 lbs wet and loaded. Took it to the dealer 4 times to get it repaired. Each time they said there is nothing they could do. The 2008 model has the same engine but it is beefed up with more HP and torque but same towing limits. Hummm!

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  will never ever buy again! - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By middletown n.y. - April 12 - 6:36 pm

  After 36,000 miles transmission went. Dealer fixed, went again, dealer fixed, went again dealer replaced. 6 months later transmission hose is leaking, EGR went, engine light on. Front suspension bushings gone no offroading so it squeaks all the way home, oh 1 more thing drivers side window just stopped working. Very bad investment!

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  Brake Issues since buying - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Rob - April 10 - 2:44 am

  I have had nothing but problems with my 05 Dakota. I bought it used with 20,000 in April, 2007. I had problems with the brakes from the start. The dealer replaced the pads and machined the rotors in May, 2007. I have not put 8,000 miles on the pads and they are almost GONE!!!! I believe it is the calipers. They are not releasing and my pads are running on the rotors while I am driving. The brake dust on my wheels is incredible!!! I brought it to one dealer and they said the calipers were working fine. I am still covered by the factory warranty and they are giving me the run around. How else would brand new pads be worn completely down after less than 8,000 miles? Stay away from this truck!!

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  Not Bad - Could be better - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Jason - February 4 - 8:09 pm

  Truck is great for storage, hauling (pulls my 20 boat with no problem), and has decent get up and go. Suspension is questionable. I just replace the tierod ends for the 2nd time since purchasing. Rear stabilizer bars need work also. Ground clearance is also a concern for a pickup. Fuel economy is worse than a lot of full-size trucks. I get roughly 13.5 in city and 16.5 on the highway if I am lucky.