NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
44 reportsClear category filter59,700 miles · Jan 19, 2009
Steering
2002 DODGE DAKOTA, LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, CORRODED POWER STEERING FLUID TUBING, CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND LACK OF NORMAL STEERING CONTROL. REPAIR PART NOT AVAILABLE FOR MORE THAN 5 WEEKS. HAS THERE BEEN A LOT OF POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURES FOR THESE AND SIMILAR VEHICLES? I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED. I…
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2002 DODGE DAKOTA, LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, CORRODED POWER STEERING FLUID TUBING, CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND LACK OF NORMAL STEERING CONTROL. REPAIR PART NOT AVAILABLE FOR MORE THAN 5 WEEKS. HAS THERE BEEN A LOT OF POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURES FOR THESE AND SIMILAR VEHICLES? I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED. I'VE OWNED 13 VEHICLES SINCE 1971 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. IS THERE AN UNANNOUNCED VOLUNTARY RECALL BY CHRYSLER FOR THIS? IT SEEMS ODD THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN ACKNOWLEDGED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255534
40,000 miles · Nov 19, 2007
Electrical SystemSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE CLEANING OUT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE DRIVE GEAR SHIFT WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT OWNS THREE OTHER DODGE DAKOTA'S AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE CLEANING OUT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE DRIVE GEAR SHIFT WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT OWNS THREE OTHER DODGE DAKOTA'S AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE PARTS BROKEN IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 12//12/07
NHTSA ODI #10209294
20,000 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension
THOUGHT I WOULD "BUY AMERICAN" AND GET THE DODGE DAKOTA 4 DR CREW. LOVE ITS STYLE, COMFORTS, MORE POWER THAN I NEED (4.7L V8) 2WD HAS NO TRACTION IN SNOW OR ICE. VERY EASY TO DRIVE AND COMFORTABLE 6FT.2 220LBS.(2 TRIPS NJ TO CALIF.) GAS MILEAGE STINKS...13-18MPG, NO LOADS. BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED 28K, LEFT TOP BALL JOINT WORN (NO…
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THOUGHT I WOULD "BUY AMERICAN" AND GET THE DODGE DAKOTA 4 DR CREW. LOVE ITS STYLE, COMFORTS, MORE POWER THAN I NEED (4.7L V8) 2WD HAS NO TRACTION IN SNOW OR ICE. VERY EASY TO DRIVE AND COMFORTABLE 6FT.2 220LBS.(2 TRIPS NJ TO CALIF.) GAS MILEAGE STINKS...13-18MPG, NO LOADS. BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED 28K, LEFT TOP BALL JOINT WORN (NO RECALL YET)A/C NEEDED CHARGING, RIGHT FRONT HUB AND BEARINGS REPLACED 49K, REAR LEAF SPRING NOISY, TRANSMISSION HESITATION OCCASIONALLY. GREAT TRUCK TO DRIVE AND HAUL BUT RELIABILITY REALLY IN QUESTION WITH ONLY 49K. PROBABLY BACK TO NISSAN OR TOYOTA.
NHTSA ODI #10128866
25,572 miles · Jul 13, 2005
SteeringSuspension
MULTIPLE SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILURES PLEASE REOPEN INVESTIGATIONS INTO DODGE DAKOTA/DURANGO PRODUCTS. STABILIZER BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED, STEERING INPUT SHAFT FAILED AND REPLACED ONCE.
NHTSA ODI #10128548
47,980 miles · Apr 7, 2005
Steering
RACK AND PINION FAILURE 48,000 MILES. SEALS LEAKING AND PUMP WHINING. *AK.
NHTSA ODI #10116533
46,950 miles · Jan 27, 2005
Steering
SLIGHT NOISE, LOUD NOISE. POWER STEERING PUMP. *AK.
NHTSA ODI #10108048
37,000 miles · Dec 28, 2004
SteeringSuspension
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFTER 2,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION. THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, STATING IT WAS A WEAR ITEM. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AND FIXED BEFORE OFFERING THE VEHICLE FOR SALE, BUT THEY CLAIM OTHERWISE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE BOTH SETS OF BA…
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UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFTER 2,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION. THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, STATING IT WAS A WEAR ITEM. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AND FIXED BEFORE OFFERING THE VEHICLE FOR SALE, BUT THEY CLAIM OTHERWISE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE BOTH SETS OF BALL JOINTS ON MY OWN. SINCE THEN, DC HAS RECALLED THE UPPER JOINTS. THE UPPER JOINTS CREATED A SITUATION CAUSING THE LOWER JOINTS TO FAIL ALSO AND SHOULD BE COVERED IN THEIR RECALL. THEY ALSO DO NOT SPECIFY COVERING THE ALIGNMENT NEEDED AFTER JOINTS ARE REPLACED. THE RECALL SHOULD BE REISSUED COVERING UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH ALIGNMENT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IN THIS RECALL FAILURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10104632
41,500 miles · Dec 9, 2004
Steering
IN A RECENT NEWS ARTICLE I READ THAT THE NHTSA IS CONSIDERING RECALLING DODGE DAKOTAS FOR FAULTY UPPER BALL JOINTS. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.*AK I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN FOR A FRONT END ALLIGMENT. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE THE VEH…
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IN A RECENT NEWS ARTICLE I READ THAT THE NHTSA IS CONSIDERING RECALLING DODGE DAKOTAS FOR FAULTY UPPER BALL JOINTS. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.*AK I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN FOR A FRONT END ALLIGMENT. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE THE VEHICLE HAD 36,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SERVICE TECH NOTIFIED ME THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT THE STATED MILEAGE. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN BE REMEDIED SOON.
NHTSA ODI #10102476
50,347 miles · Dec 9, 2004
Steering
(1) FAILURE OF STEERING COMPONENTS; (2) REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS; (3) PARTS REPLACEMENT IMMINENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10102450
24,000 miles · Dec 4, 2004
SteeringSuspension
I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA AND HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT 24,000 MILES AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS COMMON. MY HOPE IS THAT YOU WOULD INVESTIGATE THIS AND FORCE CHRYSLER TO DO A RE-CALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10102128
Official recalls
5Dec 4, 2007
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Dec 21, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
May 5, 2004
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Dec 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) THAT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IMPROPERLY LOADING YOUR VEHICLE CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL OVERLAYS CONTAINING CORRECTED INFORMATION RELATIVE TO VEHICLE GAWR AND TIRE SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Oct 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEADLAMP AND DASH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFED BY THE ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN OR LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN, AND, WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS AND REPAIR THE HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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