general problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota

Fuel mileage 02 Dakota 4x4 3. 9 lv-6 gets 15 mpg. I had a 96 and 99 Dakota 4x4's ordered new as well with same engine, tires, and drive train ratio as the 02 that got 21 mpg. I know of a 99 Jeep grand cherokee with 4. 0 l with same tires and drive train ratio gets 21 mpg. Why doesn't the 02 get better?.

While driving at 40 mph with 46,500 kilometers a strong fuel odor had been noticed gas gauge drop from just under three quarters to below half . Complaint about fuel system and really bad gas mileage. And carbon residue on exhaust seem to have been ignored by dealer.

There is a hesitation (dead spot) while depressing the accelorator pedal,when trying to start rolling from a stop. The rpms actually fall before they rise. This ,while letting out the clutch is unsafe ,causing the vehicle to stall when the power is needed the most. Have taken the vehicle 9 times and each time they say ; 1)it will get better with time 2)this is an inherant problem with the 6 cylinder & manual 3)cant duplicate (it happens every time I try to move) you actually have to play with the gas pedal in order to get past the hesitation area.