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C. Seaton
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2002
16:56:58
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 Subject: 1996 Dodge Dakota V8
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Mine is the biggest piece of garbage I've ever owned! Major problems with automatic transmission. Replaced two fuel gauge sensing units (problem occurred while driving it off the lot--no joke). Major problems with electrical system which has drained 4 name-brand batteries in less than 5 years (left us stranded twice, once in the desert and once during our move from CA to MO). Not one dealer could find a problem. Paint is now falling off. All of this BEFORE the warranty. Dodge refuses to pay cost of re-painting truck--will only pay 50% and then only spot paint areas! At approximately 30,000 miles the overdrive bearings had to be replaced (one or two were deffectie--flat on one side!) All four wheels are bent. We felt the problem the day we drove it off the lot, but Dodge manufacturer denies that hey had problems with wheels for 1996 models (only on 1995 they said!) due to breakdown in integrity. Truck now has 50,000 miles on it, and is the noisest rattle trap I've ever owned. Don't bother to contact Dodge manufacturer, and 5-star dealership status is a joke in Missouri! My next truck (not soon enough) will be either a Ford or a Toyota. Goodbye to Dodge forever!!!! (My other SUV is a 1987 Jeep Laredo 4-door. We bought it new, and it's been a gem, but that was BEFORE Dodge/Chrysler took it over and screwed up Jeep!) If you are considering the purchase of a Dodge Dakota truck, you should have your head examined or speak to as many Dodge owners as possible and review all service bulletins first. It has been obvious to me that Dodge doesn't care about its customers. If you own the same turd that we do and have had problems with the engine stalling (dead battery syndrome x 4) like we did, please contact the National Transportation and Safety Board to report the hazard like we did. If you have paint falling off of your Dodge (any newer models), go to the peeling paint website; do a search on the words "peeling paint", and the website should be displayed as one of your selections.
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TDak
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2002
17:20:44
|  RE: 1996 Dodge Dakota V8
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Thanks for the advice, but most people here already own a Dakota. Have you ever heard of preventative maintenance. By the sound of your problems, it's something you should consider doing in the future. As far as the paint goes, Ford has had problems with their paint in the past. I owned a '94 Ranger and a '97 F250(not the heavy duty, the one that looks the same as an F150) before (wisely)deciding to buy a Dakota. On Fords, the rear windows leak, the doors develop cracks on the rear window frame, the rain channels on the roof also get cracks in the paint. They wear tires out quickly. They suffer from piston slap. Had to replace power window motor. The heater motor started making a strange noise after awhile. I guess my point is. The grass is always greener on the other side of the dealership. That was just the problems I had on the F250. The Ranger was just a total piece of crap. I can understand you wanting to vent your frustrations, but every vehicle has it's quirks. In five years you'll just be leaving the same pissed off post on a Ford site. Only the problems encounterd may vary slightly. Life's to short to worry about the little things.
"Enjoy it while it's runnin, fix it when it aint".
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DaveR
GenII
12/18/2002
20:47:06
| RE: 1996 Dodge Dakota V8
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Even though I know there is no hope of changing anyone's opinion, I'll comment anyway. Remember that 1996 was a strange Dakota test year; New engine/ controler with the old body style (new trans too?). Also remember that everyone makes a lemon once in a while. Hopefully you won't have something like the above happen again.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
10:12:42
| RE: 1996 Dodge Dakota V8
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50K on a 96 model?
Does anyone even drive that truck?
Sorry you had problems. My 01 QC 4.7 5spd manual has been good to me.
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Tom Slick
GenII
12/19/2002
10:22:22
| RE: 1996 Dodge Dakota V8
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I've got a 96 Dakota 5.2L Automatic, and I've had very few problems with it over the years, and I've got almost 140,000 miles on it...
Sounds like you got one of the Bad apples...
Yes, the 96 Dakota is a true bastard year... Last year of the Gen 2 bodies, first year of the OBDII PCMs, Certain changes with the brakes, the engine is slightly further to the passenger side (just like the gen 3s). I found out that last part from FLowtech trying to use the 95 headers without an EGR to fit onto my truck....it didn't work, the passenger header was hitting the upper control arm... There are many other changes that were done to the 96 that I've not listed...
Plus, there were more perf. part for the 92-95 and 97 and up, with the 96 getting left out for a while... I've found that many of the Gen 3 parts do just fine in the 96(escpecially since it was somewhat of a tester for the Gen 3's)
Later!
Tom "Slick"
96 Dakota Sport 5.2 RC SB
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e rossi
Dodge Dakota
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6/04/2003
17:14:01
| RE: 1996 Dodge Dakota V8
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I have a slt '95 dakota V8 with 275,000 miles on it. The engine is still good but when the trans. when out (t/c) I replaced the radiator and added an external radiator also, plus the new trans. But guess what?.....2 dealers can still not stop the shuttering when it goes into overdrive. It vibrates so bad it feels as though it's coming apart. I've done loads of preventive maint. through the years, and cannot believe that no one can figure this out. Like I said, 2 dodge dealers and 2 private mechanics. It's been 3 weeks now. Any ideas?..........thanks E. rossi
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W Baker
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2003
09:16:08
|  RE: 1996 Dodge Dakota V8
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Ihave had three intake manifold leaks on my 1996 5.2 engen in four years, any ideas why
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Wal
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2003
10:55:22
| RE: 1996 Dodge Dakota V8
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ever heard of a lemon? All manufactures sell em... it happens. You should never have put up with the $hit you have. Such low miles on the truck and all this? Shame on you.
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