8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$160
Average Mileage:
109,200 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replaced O2 sensors (3 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
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problem #5

Dec 012012

Dakota 5.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 152,000 miles

Trying to figure out the problem, need help!!! When changing gears from 2nd. to 3rd. the engine bogs, bucks and backfires extremely bad, have to stay in 2nd gear. Have checked the fuel pump and changed the fuel filter pressure regulator, distributor and all it's inner components, as well as coil pack. Please help!!!

- wew1nonly, Augusta, GA, US

problem #4

Oct 132009

Dakota Sport 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles

I have had my 1998 dodge dakota truck in at least 4 shops for misfiring backing shutting off at times have spent a bunch of money and problem still not corrected. i dont think theres a machinic that can fix it dodge made a peice of junk when they made this truck.

- sterlen, Headland, AL, US

problem #3

May 262007

(reported on)

Dakota Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

Purchased a used 1998 Dodge Dakota Sport with only 40K miles. Shortly thereafter, experienced engine misfiring only during first few minutes of running. This occurred with engine hot or cold. Dealer mechanics spent two days troubleshooting problem. Replaced distributor cap, rotor, sparkplugs/wires and told me the truck was cursed. Fortunately, parts/labor were covered under the 90-day warranty. I changed out pre/post cat O2 sensors to correct the problem.

- Don U., Delmont, PA, US

problem #2

Feb 262007

(reported on)

Dakota SLT 3.9 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

When this problem started I was in the middle of chicago traffic, we all know how big city traffic can be at rush hour. I thought for sure the truck was going to die right there and I was going to be left in the middle of 355 waiting for a tow. I babbied it home down 355, to 55, to 80, to 39 to tonica exit 48 which is a 2 hour drive at the best of times. All the while cussing it and praying it would at least make it home for diagnosis and repair. It didn't send an engine code no idiot light on the dash, tried pulling the codes and nothing. Went out the next morning and fired the truck over, it cranked as usual until this horrendous clunk almost like the starter stuck (yet another problem with this truck) but it started. I drove the 9 miles to the grocery without problem, no hesitation, backfire or miss, but when returning home it started it again. keep in mind I let the truck warm for 7 - 10 minutes before driving on a cold start, and 3-5 on a warm start. I called the shop when I got home they said sure bring it in! (big suprise... not!) after approximately 6 hours worth of diagnosis, tracking, fiddling, and coffee breaks they still couldn't figure it out. At this point it became more than an annoyance, it downright peeved me expecially when the shop managaer said ok that will be 540$!!! I grabbed the owner and relayed to him what was going on and he dropped the charges to $75 for the use of the scanner and sniffer. Cool! I brought the truck home once again where it sat through 3 snow storms, ice storm, and rain until I read the other complaint of missfire on here. I checked around the local parts stores and found that the pre cat 02 was $70 and post cat was $80 ok... small price if it fixes it, if it doesn't then ok too because I don't believe the o2 have ever been replace they're probably close to being toast anyway. I grabbed my other truck went to town and picked up the parts and replaced the 02 pre & post. The start problem is still there but the backfire is gone :D

- Jessica W., Leonore, IL, US

problem #1

Jul 132006

(reported on)

Dakota SLT

  • 135,000 miles

3.9 V6 start vehicle driving along about 50 to 60 kms, per hour engine backfire, seems like up through the dome, have to let off gas and step on it again to get it to go, seems like it going to stall, it will come out of it if i put the pedal to the floor, once warm up it doesn't seem to do it, very hard on gas. had it to the repair shop and they are stumped, thought they might of had it fixed but brought it home tonight and still doing it. they had said that a wire wasn't down in the distributor, hoping that, that was the problem wasn't. good thing they haven't done up the bill yet. any suggestions. look back at how bad is this problem.

UPDATE: To follow up on my truck's problem, thanks to the one that responded, it was the o2 sensors upstream, but I replaced both sensors, I got the check engine light to come on and store a code. I did this by disconnecting the battery one night, and next day truck acted up and by putting my foot to the floor, the light came on, Glad to see this, but that was the problem, all along thanks again.

- David D., Grand Bay-Westfield, New Brunswick, Canada