The 2007 Dodge Dakota isn’t the most powerful truck on the road, but it’s tougher than some full-size pickups while being twice as agile and costing around half as much, with pricing ranging from around $5,700 to $7,700.
Is the 2007 Dodge Dakota a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – A hidden gem of a work truck. The 2007 Dakota is more powerful than you’d expect at this price, and more agile than you’d expect in this size class.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – The Dakota is one of the most comfortable trucks in its class, but that’s not saying much, as mid-size work trucks typically rank among the least comfortable vehicles on the market. The truck still earns a 9/10 because of its best-in-class towing and payload capacity.
- Reliability 8/10 – A Tacoma will probably outlast a Dakota by at least 50,000 miles, but a well-maintained Dakota can easily hit a quarter million with no major repairs.
- Safety 7/10 – Crash test ratings are decent and standard safety equipment is adequate.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – With the V6 models averaging just 16/22 miles to the gallon, the Dakota may not be as practical a daily-driver as a Tacoma.
- Value 8/10 – A V8 model Dakota will have you feel like you cheated the system somehow. It can tow better than some full-size trucks while costing thousands of dollars less.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Dodge Dakota?
Consumer Reports report that the 2007 Dakota’s V8 engine accelerates more quickly than competing V6 trucks. They praised the truck’s retuned suspension and competitive towing capacity. But, they note that the interior trim quality is strictly pedestrian.
Kelley Blue Book praised the Dakota for delivering V8 power in a V6-sized truck. They note that the Tacoma and Nissan Frontier both ride a bit smoother, and there’s no Regular Cab model.
Edmunds liked the strong engines and four wheel drive options, and they found the Dakota to be one of the most agile trucks in its power class. They were disappointed with the low-grade interior trim.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Dodge Dakota Have?
The 2007 Dodge Dakota has generated just 142 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Around one in three of these are for the airbags, with drivers reporting that they were waiting on replacement parts a full two years after the airbags had been recalled in 2016.
24 powertrain complaints see the truck vibrating and shuddering at highway speeds, and the transmission failing entirely after less than a decade on the road. In some instances this may be related to a faulty powertrain control module, which was recalled in late 2006.
A few drivers have reported the wrong turn signals engaging. That is, when they click the left blinker, the right one blinks, and vice versa.
The 2007 Dodge Dakota has been recalled 4 times in total, which is average for a vehicle of this age.
How Long Will the 2007 Dodge Dakota Last?
A Dodge Dakota can last around 200,000 to 250,000 miles before the expensive repairs start to pile up. Shop around for one that was used exclusively for work, rather than as a daily driver, and you’ll likely get a lot more miles out of it.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $484, which isn’t bad for a powerful work truck. The most expensive common repairs include new timing chains and gear sets, starting at around $1,514, and new axle shafts at $1,587.
No, it is not reliable. As stated earlier, it has had numerous front end problems that have been quite expensive to replace.
No it is not reliable. It has consistently had body/frame issues. We are constantly changing the ball joint, or tire rods.
It's good and effective and have only had to change the tires on it once and the oil twice and it's very important and efficient and reliable
Yes it’s reliable. I wouldn't trust it when traveling across the country though. I do service like twice a year
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2007 Dodge Dakota is pretty basic for 2007. It’s a work truck, after all. The base model comes with a CD player, and you can upgrade that to an MP3 player with 6 Alpine speakers in the high-end Laramie model.
Safety features are adequate for the model year. Anti-lock brakes come standard, but that’s about as cutting-edge as it gets.
Is the 2007 Dodge Dakota a Good Value?
The 2007 Dodge Dakota is a pretty good value. An entry-level models typically lists for around $5,714, while a Laramie usually goes for around $7,748. A full-size pickup from this model year will usually cost you about twice that much, and it’ll be a lot more expensive to refuel and maintain.
What you’re really paying for here is the extra towing and hauling power. The Dakota out-tows the average truck in its class by a thousand pounds or so. You’re not going to find many trucks that can tow nearly 8,000 lb. for under $8,000.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Dodge Dakota?
The 2007 Dodge Dakota is available in three different trim levels, from the base ST to the high-end Laramie.
With the entry-level ST you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player with 4 speakers
- Anti-lock brakes
The mid-range SLT adds:
- Fog lights
- Premium cloth seating
- Remote keyless entry
Finally, with a top-of-the-line Laramie you’re adding:
- Leather seating
- Remote start
- CD/MP3 player with 6 Alpine speakers and 6-disc CD changer
What Engines Come In the 2007 Dodge Dakota?
- The base engine in the 2007 Dodge Dakota is with a 3.7L Magnum V6 delivering 210 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in rear/four wheel drive, and it averages 16/22 miles to the gallon, city/highway. In a V6 you should be able to tow up to 4,150 pounds, depending on your options.
- A 4.7L V8 is available, delivering up to 260 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed manual in rear/four wheel drive, and it averages 14/20 miles to the gallon. The V8 has been clocked going zero to sixty in just under 8 seconds, which isn’t bad for a mid-size pickup. A V8 can tow up to 7,150 pounds.
What Colors Does the 2007 Dodge Dakota Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Dodge Dakota?
The Dakota’s interior stretches 56 inches across for ample hip room, the seating is nice and firm, and you’ve got plenty of leg and head room. The suspension is tuned for the workload, so it’s not exactly a luxury SUV, but, most reviewers will tell you it’s one of the easiest-riding vehicles in its class.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Dodge Dakota Have?
The 2007 Dodge Dakota is available with a Short Bed, stretching five feet from front to back, or a Long Bed, at six and a half. Whichever one you go with, it’s gonna be 45 inches across and 17.6 inches deep inside the box.
For reference, the Dodge Ram’s bed goes up to eight feet in length, and stretches 66.4 inches wide and 21.5 inches deep.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2007 Dodge Dakota was the third model year in the truck’s 3rd Generation, which ran from 2005 to 2011.
2005: The 2005 Dakota launched with a pair of engines, a V6 and a V8, sharing a platform with the Dodge Durango SUV. Dodge dropped the Regular Cab option for 2005, making the 3rd Gen Club/Quad-only.
2006: Upgraded audio features and a new sunroof option were the biggest changes for 2006.
2007: A flex-fuel V8 engine was offered up for 2007, and the whole engine lineup was brought up-to-code with regard to fuel emissions.
2008: The Dakota got a slight top-to-bottom redesign for 2008, with a sleeker, modernized exterior, and a new 302 horsepower 4.7L V8 engine option.
2009: Dodge added the Big Horn trim level to the lineup in 2009, offering 17 inch alloy wheels and cruise control.
How Does the 2007 Dodge Dakota Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota Tacoma reigns supreme, year after year, as the most beloved small truck, and it’s certainly the longest lasting. It’s not unusual to see a Tacoma with more than half a million miles on the odometer. But, a used 2007 Tacoma will cost you twice as much as a Dakota, and it comes up about a thousand pounds short on towing.
A Ford Ranger is closer in price to a Dodge Dakota, and there’s a lot to love about the Ranger, but the truck’s towing capacity taps out at 3,220 pounds.
The 2007 Dodge Dakota is a unique truck in that it’s available with a V8 that can tow more than some full-size pickups, but pricing typically peaks at well under eight thousand bucks. If you need a lot of oomph under the hood but you don’t want to drive an enormous Ram or F-150, the Dakota is a great compromise between power and practicality.
Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Dodge Dakota?
No, it is not. It has had major front end problems that have been very costly. We have had to replace many front-end parts as this model was poorly engineered.
No it is not a good vehicle and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It is horrible on gas, the body/frame is cheaply done and I have had all sorts of problems with it.
It's efficient and reliable source of transportation and it gets the job done very effective and also quite unique
Yes. I do like the car it gets me around and it wasn't very expensive. As a college student it meets my needs