Here Are The Dodge Dakota Years To Avoid
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The Dodge Dakota was a solid mid-size pickup truck that came from the Chrysler Ram division of Dodge. It began production in 1987 and continued strong until its discontinuation in 2011. If you’re interested in an excellent mid-size pickup, the Dodge Dakota may be on your list. But, as with any vehicle, you might wonder which Dodge Dakota years to avoid.
We’re here to help you out! Read on to learn more about which Dodge Dakota years to avoid and which ones will work well on the road. The best models are the ones that save you money in expensive repairs and keep you safe at the same time. The more you know, the better a decision you can make for your next car.
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Dodge Dakota Years to Avoid
Several models of the Dodge Dakota stood out over the years, but there are a few Dodge Dakota years to avoid if you want to ensure you get the most bang for your buck from a used car investment.
The Dodge Dakota years to avoid include:
- 2000
- 2002
- 2005
- 2006
These are some of the worst years in existence for the Dodge Dakota.
There were a few reasons the Dodge Dakota suffered this bad year streak. We’ll dive into some of the prominent issues with the pickup truck that made it difficult for users to drive. The more you know, the better a decision you can make.
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What Makes These Years Worth Avoiding?
There are a few factors that make these years worth avoiding. These were the complaints that customers found most amongst the vehicles listed above, and they’re the ones that will either put you in danger or cost lots of money to repair.
According to carcomplaints.com, some of the top reasons that make these years worth avoiding include:
- Engine problems
- Brake issues
- Body/paint troubles
These complaints rose to the top among the others with the Dodge Dakota.
Let’s dive into each of these problems in further detail, determining the biggest issues within each category and giving you an overview of what the Dodge Dakota experienced with each of these. There are solid reasons why these are the Dodge Dakota years to avoid.
Engine Problems
Engine troubles were one of the most prominent issues that popped up in models of the Dodge Dakota. The 2000 model and the 2006 model were especially prone to this issue, receiving dozens of complaints in this category over the years.
Specific engine problems experienced includes:
- Loss of oil pressure due to oil sludge
- Fluctuating idle
- Recurring misfire on the same cylinder
These are just a few of the many engine issues that appeared with the Dodge Dakota.
If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy spending hundreds of dollars on repairs on your engine, avoid these models at all costs. A faulty engine can add lots of trouble to your life that could easily be avoided with the choice to invest in a different model of the Dodge Dakota.
Brake Issues
Brake issues are the secondary issue prominent in several models of the Dodge Dakota. The 2002 model is easily the worst Dodge Dakota out of all of them, and brakes are the leading trouble with this vehicle. Almost sixty-nine people reported brake problems with this model.
Some of the specific brake troubles include:
- Brake cylinder lockup
- Smoking hot brakes
- Brake lockup
None of these were appealing back then to drivers, and they’re not appealing now to new drivers. Steer clear from the 2002 model and 2005 model if you don’t want to deal with the brakes.
When you get a pickup truck like the Dodge Dakota, you expect it to have a braking system that works well every single time. Ensure you pick a model year that has an excellent stopping system. This choice will save you money and keep you safe on the road.
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Body/Paint Troubles
One of the most common complaints with the 2000 model was with the body and paint of the vehicle. Customers reported items like paint fading off the top of the roof fast, oxidation of the clear coat on the roof, and even rusting wheel wells.
If you want your car to look beautiful for as long as possible, steer clear of the 2000 Dodge Dakota. With nearly thirty complaints about the paint and body of the car, it’s clear that this year is one of the Dodge Dakota years to avoid.
Which Years are Safe to Buy Used?
We’ve talked a lot about the Dodge Dakota years that are worth avoiding. But, which ones are okay to drive? If you’re looking into purchasing a used Dodge Dakota, it’s just as vital to know which models are okay as it is to know which are not. We can help you with that.
According to carcomplaints.com, some of the best years for the Dodge Dakota include:
- 2004
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
These years have been some of the best to date with the Dodge Dakota.
Even though this vehicle is not around to buy new ones anymore, the most recent versions are the ones you can count on most. After the trial and error of earlier generations, Dodge hit their stride with these iterations. The best versions of these trucks have a manual transmission, so look for that in your Dodge Dakota.
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Conclusion
The Dodge Dakota is a powerful pickup truck that stopped production almost ten years ago. If you want a used version of this vehicle, it’s vital to know which ones will be worth your money and which ones will cost you tons of cash in repairs. Models like the 2000 and 2002 Dakota suffer extensive issues, while the 2010 and 2011 varieties do not.
We hope this information can help you out with your next vehicle purchase. There’s a lot to consider when attempting to get a Dodge Dakota that will keep you safe and save money at the same time. The more you know, the better a decision you can make when the time comes to pick out your pickup truck.
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