723 of the
9,236 complaints filed about the Dodge Dakota
are about the steering —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
The manufacturer sent a third party to fix an airbag recall. Before the third-party technician touched my truck for the recall, both my horn and cigarette lighter worked. Now, after their repair, neither works. Therefore, something they did caused an electrical fault. I advised whoever sent the technician and they said they would send the guy back. No one will answer my calls and no one has fixed my issue.
NHTSA complaint #11656999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE ENGINE, THE KEY WOULD COME OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO TURN THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICKS DODGE (1468 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407, (843) 352-6931) AND THE MECHANICS WERE UNSURE IF A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND/OR NEW IGNITION SWITCH WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11204488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR GOES INTO PARK, BUT PARK DOES NOT ENGAGE. I'M ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE COLUMN SHOWS PARK BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL. I SEE THAT 2002 DAKOTAS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11172312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAS DEVELOPED LOOSE STEERING. PROBLEM EXIST WHETHER MOVING OR NOT. THOUGH AN ACCIDENT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, BELIEVE THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR IT TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #11172206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, AN ODOR OF POWER STEERING FLUID EMITTED THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BEARING OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL OF THE BEARING AND POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11155193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HELLO, I RECENTLY PURCHASED A ONE OWNER 2005 DODGE DAKOTA, WHICH HAS LESS THAN 35,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR FAX CAME BACK CLEAN FOR ACCIDENTS ETC, BUT I HAVE FOUND, THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR SECTIONS OF THE CHASSIS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES AND MOST OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED TOO. DUE TO EXCESSIVE DEEP RUST. TO THE POINT OF THE NUT HOLDING THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END DISINTEGRATED. THE STRAIGHT SIDE RAILS OF THE CHASSIS ARE EXCESSIVELY DEEP RUSTED. AS WELL AS THE OIL PAN AND REAR AXLE HOUSING (WHICH ARE ORIGINAL). THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO CUT OFF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND REPLACE ALL BUSHINGS AND MOST OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND WEAR. MY TRUCK HAS BARELY BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR ITS YEAR AND HAS HAD MINIMAL EXPOSURE TO ROAD CHEMICALS SUCH AS SALT ETC. THESE COMPONENTS ROTTING AWAY TO THIS EXTENT WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE REGARDLESS OF AGE INDICATES THE USE OF POOR QUALITY MATERIALS BEING USED DURING ASSEMBLY AND POSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE TO CONSUMERS. I OPENED A CASE# 57271603 WITH CHRYSLER AND THE AGENT TOLD, THAT EVEN IF THE CASE WAS MOVED UP FOR REVIEW . IT WOULD BE SENT BACK DUE TO THE AGE OF THE TRUCK . WHICH I DISAGREE WITH, AS THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE ROTTED AND DISINTEGRATED SO BADLY AND THE CHASSIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO HAVE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS IN LESS THAN 35,000 MILES. I WOULD THINK, THAT THIS POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE BUYING TRUCKS USING THE SAME CHASSIS AND COMPONENTS FROM THE SAME VENDOR, IF THEY ARE NOT MANUFACTURED AT A DODGE PLANT. ULTIMATELY IT SHOULD BE THE CAR MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY, THAT THE PARTS THEY ARE USING ARE QUALITY AND WILL NOT POSE POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK TO CONSUMERS . PLEASE LET ME KNOW, IF FURTHER INFORMATION ETC. IS NEEDED. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11143394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT ABOUT 62 K MI. STEERING BECAME STIFF, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID AND TOPPED OFF. PROBLEM SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR OVER TIME. HOWEVER MORE RECENTLY AT ABOUT 70K MI. PROBLEM HAS RETURNED WITH STIFFER STEERING AND THEN WITH LOOSENESS. SEEMINGLY THAT I AM OVERCOMPENSATING MY TURNS. MY POWER STEERING FLUID IS NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #11142225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE STEERING IS VERY HARD TO TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT AT MOST TIMES. FEELS AS IF THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED, BUT HAD IT INSPECTED BY MECHANIC AND SAYS POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELTS ARE FINE. THIS DIFFICULTY IN STEERING IS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY A GRINDING TYPE OF NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN BEHIND THE STEEING WHEEL. IT HAS BECOME MORE THAN JUST AN OCCASIONAL ANNOYANCE BUT RATHER A MORE PERMANENT SAFETY ISSUE SINCE MY WIFE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO USE THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT MAY BE THE CAUSE AND IF THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER DAKOTA PICK UPS AND IF THEY HAVE ISSUED A RECALL IN THE PAST TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I AM HOPING TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED QUICKLY SINCE I FEAR IT MAY ONLY LEAD TO SOME TRAGIC OR CATASTROPHIC RESULT. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11093647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALEANA'S VAN DYKE DODGE (28400 VAN DYKE AVE, WARREN, MI 48093, (586) 573-4000) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER, AND THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER AND THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #11075467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A SAFETY NIGHTMARE. FROM STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTING THROUGH (AND THE VEHICLE LOSING IT BRAKES), TO UPPER BALL JOINTS ALMOST SEPARATING TO STEERING WHEEL DRIVE SHAFTS WHERE THE U-JOINTS ALMOST SEPARATED. THESE ARE NOT ITEMS THAT SHOULD FAIL LIKE THIS. I SPENT PART OF MY CAREER LOOKING AFTER GLOBAL PRODUCT LIABILITY FOR CUMMINS ENGINE AND I AM STUNNED AT THE POOR QUALITY CHRYSLER HAS USED IN CRITICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #11053577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT 30 MPH NEEDING TO BRAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GONE. RIGHT FRONT CALIPER BOLT BROKE THREAD AND THE CALIPER CAME OFF THE SPINDLE, STEERING CAUSED MORE GRINDING AND THEN I THOUGHT OF THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME SPINDLE BEFORE, BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE NOW OR BEFORE. I CAN';T FIND A USED/NEW SPINDLE TO REPAIR IT AND IT JUST PASSED INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11046501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKES CAME APART WHEN APPLIED, NO BRAKE. RATTLE ON ROTORS, PAD DAMAGE. BOLTS THAT GO THROUGH CALIPER STRIPPED THREADS FROM SPINDLE FREEING CALIPER TO BOUNCE ON ROTOR I HAVE REPLACED WITH USED PART ONCE HOPING FOR RECALL, BAD NEWS DUDE!!!
NHTSA complaint #11034383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT THE ABNORMAL NOISE CONTINUED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME TIGHT AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY A DEALER (CROSSROADS JEEP AND DODGE IN PRINCE GEORGE, VA, 1 (888) 704-5098), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06004 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER HAD TWO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11020298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN. INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WORKING AND THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. AFTER TWICE REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION AND STEERING PUMP THE SITUATION SEEMED TO IMPROVE. THEN SUDDENLY, TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING JERKED RIGHT AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK TO THE LEFT IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEELS AT ALL, THEY WERE LOCKED STRAIGHT CAUSING US TO IMMEDIATELY CROSS ALL LANES OF THE FREEWAY AS THE ROAD TURNED FORCING US TO THE CENTER DIVIDER.
NHTSA complaint #10968520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WITH ONLY 41750 MILES ON MY 2010 DAKOTA, I WAS BACKING UP A LIGHT TRAILER WHEN SUDDENLY THE REAR TIRES STARTED SPINNING AND IT SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING THE TRUCK/TRAILER FROM MOVING. I WALKED AROUND THE VEHICLE AND SAW NO BLOCKAGES, BUT DID NOTICE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS POINTED LEFT AND THE LEFT FRONT WAS POINTED RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THE LEFT FRONT TIE ROD END 100% SEPARATED AT THE BALL/SOCKET JOINT. THERE WAS NO GREASE, LOTS OF RUST, AND IT WAS DRY AS A BONE IN THE BALL/SOCKET JOINT. THERE WAS NO GREASE FITTING ON THE TIE ROD END. THIS HAPPENED IN MY YARD AT NEAR-ZERO SPEED. HOWEVER THAT LAST THING I DID WITH THIS TRUCK WAS TO TOW A CAMPER TRAILER UP NORTH AND BACK WITH MY FAMILY IN THE TRUCK. I WAS GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLY UNSAFE THING TO HAVE BREAK AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND IT SEEMS OBVIOUS IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE NEXT TRIP HAD IT NOT BROKEN AT MY HOUSE. VERY SCARY, FOR A TRUCK WITH ONLY 41,750 MILES ON IT. IT COST ME $130 IN PARTS ( I REPLACED BOTH) PLUS A FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO REPAIR THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10871720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOSE STEERING POWER AND SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10865826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING EITHER A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. AFTER RESEARCHING, THIS LOOKS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT & SHAFT BOLTS (PARTS ASSOCIATED). INVESTIGATION: PE05-056 WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-004). SINCE YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE AN APPROVED RECALL FOR PARTS & LABOR TO BE PAID FOR BY MANUFACTURER TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE MAJOR BODILY HARM TO MYSELF, PASSENGERS AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW WITH 9 MILES IN MAY 2005. IT HAS 77,800 ORIGINAL MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10850158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD AND HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,105.
NHTSA complaint #10839928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.