Dodge Dakota

Name: 2002 Dodge Dakota
Brand: Dodge

RECALL ALERT: There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

Compared to its peers, the Dakota Quad Cab has a comfortable cabin and a long, wide bed, and it is the only model to offer full-time 4WD and a V8 engine. Subpar brakes and poor fuel economy count strongly against it.Full-time 4WD, acceleration, comfortable cabin, large cargo bed.Braking, fuel economy, no brake-shift interlock.

2002 Pickup trucks Reliability

This Car

100

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Dodge Dakota

vs. Similar Cars

Ford Ranger

Mazda B-Series

Toyota Tacoma

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Dodge vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Worse Better

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

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Dodge vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Dodge vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2002 Midsized pickup trucks Ratings

2002 Dodge Dakota

$3,100 - $4,600

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

$4,425 - $4,725

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Ford Ranger

$3,100 - $5,350

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mazda B-Series

$ NA

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Nissan Frontier

$3,750 - $6,425

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Toyota Tacoma

$3,775 - $9,175

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Midsized pickup trucks Ratings

Seating

3 front, 3 rear

Drive Wheels

4WD, Rear

Warranty

Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

extended cab

regular cab

crew cab

5-speed Manual
4-speed Automatic

2.5-liter 4 (120 hp)
3.9-liter V6 (175 hp)
4.7-liter V8 (235 hp)
5.9-liter V8 (250 hp)
5.9-liter V8 (245 hp)

Model History

2005-

Current Generation

The Dakota was a mid-sized pickup, larger than compacts like the Ford Ranger, but smaller than a full-sized truck. Four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engines were available in the first two generations, but only the thirsty V8s could be considered strong. The ride is jittery and unsettled. It handled relatively well for its era, and available full-time 4WD was a plus. Model year 2000 brought a four-door Quad Cab model and a more modern V8. The 2005 redesign offered only extended-cab versions. A 3.7L V6 was standard, but even the 4.7L V8 felt sluggish and drank fuel. Further, the buoyant ride and unresponsive handling remained and ESC was not available.

1997-2004

1997 Redesign Year

The Dakota handles nimbly for a truck. Engine choices range from a 2.5-liter Four to a 5.9-liter V8. The 3.9-liter, 175-hp V6 we tested performs adequately, but it guzzles fuel like a V8. The optional automatic transmission shifts smoothly but not always promptly. The ride is jarring, especially with an empty bed. A crew-cab version dubbed Quad Cab is new for 2000; it has four full-sized doors and offers a powerful and refined 4.7-liter V8.