How reliable is a Dodge Dakota (Club Cab, 4x2, V6, 5-speed)?  I am
mostly interested in a 2004 model.  I am reading that they are roomier
than the Toyota Tacoma plus the engine is the V6 (vs. the 4 plugger
for the Tacoma).

Provide web sites that shows this truck is mechanically sound --
contrary to my own research.

Edmunds rates the initial mechanical quality (0 to 90 days) as two
stars out of five from 1991 through 2003.  (You cannot get a lower
rating.)  For the same period, the mid-term reliability rating (one to
three years) gets mostly two stars with some three stars, and the same
with long term rating (four to five years).
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/dodge/dakota/100184021/ratings.html?tid=edmunds.n.ratings_consumer.content..2.Dodge*

At this web site, almost all of the Dodge truck owners complain about
the problems with the steering, suspension, brakes and other problems.
 Taking the vehicle into the dealership for repairs every six months. 
http://www.carreview.com/Trucks/Dodge,Dakota/PRD_507_1541crx.aspx#reviews

In another independent review  for 2002, the editor writes, "While the
Dodge Dakota is not backed by legendary reliability . . ."
http://edmunds.com/reviews/mostwanted/2002/47600/article.html

I don't want the Dodge if it's nothing got nothing but mechanical
problems and frequent visits to the shop.  Otherwise, I would buy it
over the Toyota.

Thank you.

Cynthia

cyntlhiadiane...

I happen to have access to Consumer Reports Online,
which rated the trucks in that class as follows,
in order of overall ratings:

  Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  Dodge Dakota SLT Plus 4.7 (V8)
 *Toyota Tacoma TRD (V6)
  Chevrolet S-10 LS (V6)
  GMC Sonoma SLS (V6)
  Nissan Frontier SC (V6)

So the Dodge Dakota rated second in overall ratings,
however Consumer Reports (CR) *recommended* the Toyota
Tacoma over the Dakota as the Dakota didn't fare as
well in crash tests, which prevented them from 
recommending it. I cannot reproduce the text of the
review here, as it is prohibited by copyright.

Notice that the Tacoma tested had a 3.4-liter V6.

Looking specifically at the 'predicted reliability' 
ratings for both 2004 vehicles, the scale being from
'much better than average' to 'better than average' 
to 'average' to 'worse than average' to 'much worse
than average', the Tacoma rated 'better than average'
and the Dakota rated 'average'.

The same held true for 'owner satisfaction', while
for 'depreciation', the Toyota rated 'much better
than average', and the Dodge rated 'better than 
average'.


CR also tracks the 'reliability history' of both 
vehicles, and the Dodge only began showing 'better
than average', or above, in all areas in 2002 & 2003,
whereas the Toyota has been doing so since 1997, 
barring 'average' ratings for 'Paint/Trim/Rust' in '01,
and for 'Body Integrity' in '01 & '02.


I've also know a couple of people who have owned the
Tacoma, and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that
the answer cannot be improved upon by means of a dialog
established through the "Request for Clarification" process.

sublime1-ga

No, I do not want this truck.  I promptly purchased a monthly
subscription to Consumer Reports.  CR does not recommend the Dodge
Dakota at all!  And for model years 2003 and 2004, said the same
thing:  "Braking performance was marginal, but supposedly improved
since. Reliability is average, but poor offset-crash-test results
prevent us from recommending it".

And they did recommend the Toyota but did state what others are
saying:  Reliable but the interior is not very comfortable.

This confirmed the information from the other web sites.