Overview & Reviews

Finally realizing that a 120-horsepower engine has no business being in a 3,500-pound (or more) pickup, Dodge drops the 2.5-liter inline four from the Dakota's powertrain roster. An optional five-speed automatic transmission for the 4.7-liter V8 debuts, as does a Stampede package that provides the show but not the go of the R/T model. Speaking of the R/T, that model receives four-wheel disc brakes this year.

• Plentiful V8 power, alert transmission, spot-on suspension both on- and off-road, easily accessible and accommodating cabin.

• As thirsty as a frat brother, a bit big for serious off-roading, can get pricey if too many options are chosen.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 89.00

• 

  Scared Me - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By John - January 27 - 12:46 pm

  This truck had a road hop that I couldnt overcome.Living on back roads,going up hills it would start to wheel hop either right or left. At interstate speeds, the steering was strange, it would drift and a slight adjustment at times would over correct and scare the heck out of me. I had a 93 Dakota and never had these problems with that truck.

• 

  Excellent Exciting Truck - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By D. m. - December 13 - 6:06 pm

  I love the 4wd option for heavy snow days and off the main road 2-tracks, as well as pulling trailers through muddy roads. With the 4.7 v8, we have plenty of power to pass on 2 lane highways and for towing my large tandem trailer. We have not had any bad mechanical surprises, only simple recalls for trivial stuff, nothing serious. My garden tractor fits in the box, if I take off the mower deck and stick it in by itself after putting the tractor in. So much to say and so little space. The ride is like a car and the view and trip computer contribute to the excellent driving experience.

• 

  Not a Snow Queen - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By wayne bahlieda - January 21 - 4:59 pm

  Owned for a year and one half and found vehicle to be impractical. It basically is a two seater. Selected the 2 wheel drive option with traction control. Compared to a front wheel drive vehicle, the vehicle had poor traction in fresh snow or on ice. The icing on the cake was the poor gas mileage. Traded the vehicle for a PT Crusier.

• 

  Good till the last drop - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By spookctr - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Bought in October and loved it from the start. Good room inside and out. First week I had it I took it to New Jersey with 3 passengers and not a hitch. In december wen from maryland to minnesota it more comfortable than my car was. Coming back brought home a few thousand dollars worth of baby furniture no noticable performance drops and it handled the worse weather that mother nature could throw at it. Good all around even with the base engine and 4 speed auto-transmission. Oh yeah, fit both a infant carrier and a toddler seat in the back seat. Let me see you do that with even some fullsize trucks let alone any other compact trucks.

• 

  2003 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By rembrandt121 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1992 Dakota le Extended cab before this 2003 and the improvements are very noticable. The handeling is dramatically improved. The rack and pinion steering coupled with the improved suspension makes this truck handle like a sports car among trucks. The 4.7 V8 has more than enough power to handle most jobs. It doesnt get the best fuel mileage in the industry but it doesnt get the worst either. This truck is fun to drive and can burn up the roads if needed.

• 

  Best "Compact" truck around - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Godzirrah - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive Had it for three weeks now and besides being my everyday commuting vehicle (with kids in car seats) it tows my 20 boat famously. I own the V8 4.7L 2wd. I call my truch the baby bear truck as it fits all my everyday needs "just right"...I test drove all others on the market and the Dodge blows away the Tacoma, Frontier and Colorado. The closest was the Tundra but tons more cabin room with the Dodge at a lot less price.

• 

  03 4x4 V8 Extended Cab - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By x98evens - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Very fast for a truck this size, great size/price combination for a truck. Enjoyable to drive the 5 speed w/ limited slip rear end. Hard to find a good service shop for the tougher jobs (required frequent axle flushes), but you cant blaim that on the truck.

• 

  I love this little son of a gun - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By sharkraider552 - May 6 - 2:00 am

  love this truck. drives like a dream, mine has the stampede package and i love it, cant say how meany comments people has said they loved the way the truck looks the inside is right on center console is really big if uhad o could hide a body in there dodge stole this ford lover and turned him into a dodge guy for now on

• 

  Dakota Quad/SLT+/4.7 with 5-45FRE Tranny - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Deselfitter - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Well behaved truck with good size ~not too large and not too small. This Dakota is a pleasure to drive around town and short trips. I am looking forward to longer trips when warm weather arrives. Fuel economy is close to EPA estimates, about 14 in towm and 19 highway. I expect further improvement with more miles.

• 

  NICE LITTLE TRUCK - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By SMOKEY-2 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I ALWAYS HAD DODGE TRUCKS, THIS 2003 DAKOTA WITH THE V6 AUTOMATIC IS A GOOD LITTLE TRUCK. GOOD POWER, EASY TO PARK AND I REALLY LIKE THE 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES. THE BASE MODEL HAS A NICE SIZE INTERIOR WITH CLOTH BENCH SEAT.