Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING - COLUMN
190040710/10/200710023394Steering column intermediate shaft - pop, click, or clunk-like sound when turning. *nj12/06/2007

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
STEERING
EA06004CHRYSLER GROUP LLC03/09/200603/08/2007STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS
 On march 9, 2006 odi upgraded preliminatry evaluation pe05-056 to engineerning analysis ea06-004 to investigate allegations of loose or missing steering shaft coupling bolts and steering column retaining bolts in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 dodge durango sport utility vehicles and my 2005 through 2006 dodge dakota pickup trucks.either condition could result in a loss of steering control.although odi identified some quality issues in the manufacturing processes for the dakota and durango vehicles, the data do not indicate that a safety defect trend is present in either population.the failure rates are low for each condition and trend analyses indicate that problems with the subject bolts were isolated to a few units affected by assembly error that were detected either pre-sale or occurred early in vehicle service.further use of agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the sugject vehicles and will take furhter action inthe the future if warranted.for more information see the attached closing report.
STEERING - COLUMN
EA06004CHRYSLER GROUP LLC03/09/200603/08/2007STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS
 On march 9, 2006 odi upgraded preliminatry evaluation pe05-056 to engineerning analysis ea06-004 to investigate allegations of loose or missing steering shaft coupling bolts and steering column retaining bolts in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 dodge durango sport utility vehicles and my 2005 through 2006 dodge dakota pickup trucks.either condition could result in a loss of steering control.although odi identified some quality issues in the manufacturing processes for the dakota and durango vehicles, the data do not indicate that a safety defect trend is present in either population.the failure rates are low for each condition and trend analyses indicate that problems with the subject bolts were isolated to a few units affected by assembly error that were detected either pre-sale or occurred early in vehicle service.further use of agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the sugject vehicles and will take furhter action inthe the future if warranted.for more information see the attached closing report.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
01/11/201248000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. the contact stated that he experienced difficulty steering the vehicle. the contact also stated that he had to apply an excessive amount of force in order to turn the steering wheel .the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that both the tie rod and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 48,000. the vin was unavailable. kmj
01/11/201248000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2008 dodge dakota. the contact stated that he experienced difficulty steering. the contact also stated that he had to apply an excessive amount of force to turn the steering wheel .the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the tie rod and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 48,000. the vin was unavailable. mah
01/11/201248000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2008 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the vehicle he would experience difficulty steering. the contact stated that he would have to provided excessice amout onergy to turn the steering wheel .the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the tie rod and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 48,000. the vin was unavailable. ap
09/26/2012645001
 On this 2006 dakota, steering is very stiff and makes me over correct the steering with each turn, causing me to jerk the wheel hard. there have been several incidents where i have almost hit parked cars in the process of turning. i have heard many with this problem and feel our 2006 should be included in this recall if there should be one(really needs to be). *tr
09/26/201264500
 On this 2006 dakota, steering is very stiff and makes me over correct the steering with each turn, causing me to jerk the wheel hard. there have been several incidents where i have almost hit parked cars in the process of turning. i have heard many with this problem and feel our 2006 should be included in this recall if there should be one(really needs to be)
04/09/201270100
 The steering wheel gets stuck and is very stiff and won't return. lots of complaints and the all the dealers have these parts on back order.. if there is not a recall there should be the power steering pumps, steering racks and steering control rods are all on back order and not avail in nj, del or pa.... if all the parts are not avail that shows there is a big problem with these trucks
03/15/201038450
 Power steering inconsistant, nearly locks up during slow spped turns and is very difficult to turn at highway speeds. this does not always happen, does not metter if left or right turns. have had to dealer who states no problems with steering. have had tie rod ends and ball joints replaced multiple times, this helps for a short time, but problem never leaves completely. am told once again that the ball joints are bad. quit going to dealer, as i am getting no where with the dealer/manufacturer. have found huge amount of similar complaints on the internet, and a few on nhtsa site. would be great if someone would actually find out what the cause is and get fixed before i am in a major crash and or get killed.
04/09/201270100
 The steering wheel gets stuck and is very stiff and won't return. lots of complaints and the all the dealers have these parts on back order.. if there is not a recall there should be the power steering pumps, steering racks and steering control rods are all on back order and not avail in nj, del or pa.... if all the parts are not avail that shows there is a big problem with these trucks
03/15/201038450
 Power steering inconsistant, nearly locks up during slow spped turns and is very difficult to turn at highway speeds. this does not always happen, does not metter if left or right turns. have had to dealer who states no problems with steering. have had tie rod ends and ball joints replaced multiple times, this helps for a short time, but problem never leaves completely. am told once again that the ball joints are bad. quit going to dealer, as i am getting no where with the dealer/manufacturer. have found huge amount of similar complaints on the internet, and a few on nhtsa site. would be great if someone would actually find out what the cause is and get fixed before i am in a major crash and or get killed.
04/09/201270100
 The steering wheel gets stuck and is very stiff and won't return. lots of complaints and the all the dealers have these parts on back order.. if there is not a recall there should be the power steering pumps, steering racks and steering control rods are all on back order and not avail in nj, del or pa.... if all the parts are not avail that shows there is a big problem with these trucks
03/15/201038450
 Power steering inconsistant, nearly locks up during slow spped turns and is very difficult to turn at highway speeds. this does not always happen, does not metter if left or right turns. have had to dealer who states no problems with steering. have had tie rod ends and ball joints replaced multiple times, this helps for a short time, but problem never leaves completely. am told once again that the ball joints are bad. quit going to dealer, as i am getting no where with the dealer/manufacturer. have found huge amount of similar complaints on the internet, and a few on nhtsa site. would be great if someone would actually find out what the cause is and get fixed before i am in a major crash and or get killed.
01/01/201167000
 Power steering comes and goes. when turning, at any speed, steering is stiff-loose-stiff-loose. this has caused me to oversteer and nearly jump the curb a few times. as i say it comes and goes. it can be hour to hour or day to day. no leaks in the power steering, fluid is full and clean. i have seen a number of complaints for this exact problem in many online forums
05/20/201055000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. while driving at approximately 55 mph the power steering cut out and the vehicle was pulled over. upon examining the vehicle the contact noticed it was low on power steering fluid. the fluid was replaced but the failure recurred. upon examining the vehicle again the contact noticed it was leaking power steering fluid. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they informed the contact they do not know the cause of failure and the vehicle was not serviced. the failure continues to recur. the failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 56,000. sm.
05/27/201027051
 2006 dodge dakots 4 x 4 with less than 30,000 miles suddenly needs new inner and outer tie rods and 1 front wheel bearing replaced. all this changed since the last service date 8 months prior - or 3000 miles. just came out of factory warranty. dodge problem or poor practice of dealership to prey on out of factory warranty customers?
05/26/200913500
 Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. the contact was driving approximately 15 mph on normal road conditions. the front passenger wheel began to wobble. immediately, there was a reduction in the speed rate. the driver continued operation with caution the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. the failure was contributed to a disengagement of the steering strut. the technician replaced the front driver and passenger mounting bracket and steering strut. the failure mileage was 13,500.
02/22/2010200001
 2006 dodge dakota (cab) truck: have had recurring issues with the steering column. started making a loud squeaking grinding noise. brought it in and the dealer replaced a bolt in the steering column. we brought it back to the dealer (8 mos later - though the vehicle has been making the same noises consistently for quite a while again. this last time there was play in the steering. *tr
11/25/2009620001
 Intermediate steering shaft needs replacing, clunk sound. oem has now been upgraded to a beefier shaft because oem was not holding up. this should be a recall issue. *tr
08/21/200938000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. when entering the vehicle he noticed that his knee was hitting the steering wheel because it was very low. the manufacturer stated that they could not provide any resolution since the vehicle was designed that way. the contact is aware of the risk for drivers with a larger stature. the vin was unavailable. the failure mileage was 38,000.
07/20/200953000112/01/2005
 Whenever the contact would drive over a bump he noticed that the entire front of the vehicle would shake and rattle. the contact also noticed that whenever he turns in any direction the steering wheel will creek and bump. the vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. the contact did not notice any differences beforehand, the current and failure mileage is 53000. bml updated 9/17/09 *cn the consumer also stated the front struts and sway bars were replaced. updated 09/18/09. *jb
01/12/200815000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. the contact heard a loud rattling noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. he took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the tie rod assembly. one year later, the failure resurfaced. the vehicle was taken to the dealer on two more occasions and they replaced the front stabilizer bar, rack and pinion, lower ball joints, and tie rods. all of the repairs have been insufficient in remedying the failures. the failure mileage was 15,000 and current mileage was 47,000.
STEERING - COLUMN
05/30/200650036505/06/2006
 Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the steering column was impossible to adjust. the dealer stated that the failure was uncorrectable. the contact believed this to be a safety hazard. the current mileage was 10,300 and failure mileage was 500. updated 09/11/07 *tr
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
01/09/200827000101/24/2006
 2006 dodge dakota 4x4 sxt pick up truck with 27,000 miles power steering does not work when cold. problem seems to go away after engine has warmed up. *tr