Overview & Reviews

America's first midsized pickup, the 1996 Dodge Dakota gets a more powerful standard four-cylinder engine, revised sound system, and three new colors.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 32.00

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  A great truck -The 1996 Dodge Dakota - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Mike - April 19 - 4:29 pm

  My wife and I have owned our Dakota since September of 1995 when we bought it new. I will drive it til the day it dies , and I dont think that will be any time soon! It has been a SUPER truck! I have hauled all sorts of things in it, gone on vacation in it,driven it to work daily for years and it has never let me down. It has 132,000 miles on it, burns NO oil and runs as well as the day we drove it off the lot! Not counting oil changes and tires, I have probably spent less than 500 dollars in repairs and upkeep in all those years! If you need a great light to medium duty truck for daily use, if you can find one in good shape that has been well maintained , you cant go wrong here!

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  This truck rocks - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By sydbarrett1970 - February 28 - 12:35 am

  Ive had my 96 sport 2.5 4 cyl. for 4 years now, bought it when it had 103,000 miles on it, one previous owner, and let me you, this truck is seriously well built. Dodge apparantly used an engine that was unique to all the other Dakotas of the period, (at least for the 4 cyl model), a motor designed for Jeep, it was originally designed by a collaboration of engine makers, (Renault, Chrysler, and maybe a third party?) Anyway, anyone I have ever talked to says the same...this truck is really built to last. One person I spoke with said he sold his when it had 300,000 on it and it still ran strong. I absolutely love mine.

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  Never let you down. - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By broadripple1 - August 28 - 4:55 pm

  I bought this truck on Ebay, and thought I got stuck with a lemon. The gas guage does not work, but on everything else, my initial impression was flat wrong. This vehicle is a low maintenance winner. It hauls everything (bricks, lawn tractor, boards, etc), including long distance, and other than the normal maintenance, I have not spent an extra dime on this truck in four years of ownership. Its simple to operate, and Ill keep it forever.

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  10 years and still kicking - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By John - March 5 - 8:35 pm

  I have owned this truck since new and will not be getting rid of it any time soon. The 1996 Dakota is a true mid size with all the guts of a full size. The v6 I have pulls and hauls as well as any small 8, and wile fuel milage around town is not great (who buys a truck for fuel mileage?) open road mileage is in the 20 mpg range. Over all I am very happy with my 96, both in performance and style. Just try to find a truck with chrome on both ends these days.

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  Reliable - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Reggie - January 26 - 12:36 am

  Bought my Dakota new in 1996, has 140,000 on it and still going strong. Uses no oil to speak of and has not given me any problems other then the poor quality interior. Comfort is great considering Im 66". Gas milage could be better, could use a split heat defrost option. Exterior is holding up to Maine winter very well considering the truck was purchased in Arizona. Does very well in the snow for a 2wd, I use a 70 lb sand bag in the bed and good all season tires, so far no problems. Probably the best vehicle I have ever owned.

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  My Baby - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Greg Svatora - December 5 - 12:17 am

  Purchased truck in high school, drove through college, now married and still running. Truck is amazing in all weather. Only minor problems over 110,000 miles, including the standard crap Dodge transmission. I mostly drive unloaded but tow cars probably 1500-2000 miles/yr and it works great. Cant wait to get some money to put some performance stuff in her. I get great mileage, 20 mpg with the 5.2L on straight highway miles, 16-17 on normal driving. Little tip...Firestone Destination LE tires are amazing on this truck.

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  Great truck! - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Dave - August 29 - 1:13 am

  Ive had my 96 Dakota for 8 years, and it still looks and runs great with 98,000 miles on it. Ive replaced the water pump and the A/C system (I live in Florida), and Ive made cosmetic repairs to the interior. The 4 cyl. engine does not burn or leak oil, and the 5-speed transmission shifts smoothly and is fun to drive. The original factory white paint still looks great. I drive it almost every day, and it is still excellent transportation. With the tough plastic bed liner, this is a VERY rugged and dependable truck!

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  Excellent Choice - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Dallas - July 29 - 3:50 pm

  I bought my Dakota with 182,000 miles on it. The exterior was in great condition and it was a steal at $1,900. I lived in Maine for two years through the rough winters and my abusive driving. The truck really kept itself together. I did minor repairs and spent roughly $400 dollars on it, but never had to do repairs on the engine. I sold it to a friend for $1,100 dollars and I just talked to him recently. Its still going strong with 265,000 original miles! All hes done is oil changes. I had the best times of my life in that old truck and Im searching everywhere to find another one. 2wd 3.9 v6 magnum 5 speed sports are fun and dependable. I wont buy another Ford again.

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  1996 Dodge Dakota - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Bob - March 16 - 12:54 am

  This has been a very reliable pickup. it has the most room of any truck in its class. it takes the corners very well and handles great. my first road trip with it (600 miles) rendered me 27 miles to the gallon which was pretty good at 75 mph going up and down hills!!!

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  Dakota was great - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By S - May 6 - 2:00 am

  My Dakota was always a good truck