Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 1900805 | 11/02/2005 | 1900805A | 10017651 | Revised power steering system bleeding procedures. *sc | 11/14/2005 |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| EA06004 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 03/09/2006 | 03/08/2007 | STEERING 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 | ||||||
| EA06004 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 03/09/2006 | 03/08/2007 | STEERING 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 date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 01/01/2009 | 39000 | ||
| Steering winds & gets stuck while turning. i called dealer and was simply told there was no issue w/that. i dropped car off for inspection at a local garage and was told to call dealer immediately. i was informed that the steering could get stuck and cause a serious crash. the shop owner told me that it was a defect from manufacturer and refused to even inspect the vehicle. the dealer again told me there were no issues with this type of vehicle. i insisted that they look at problem and inspect the vehicle. the vehicle is a dodge dakota quad cab 2006. they reacted as if it was no concern. this is probably because they don't drive their children in the vehicle. i did call them numerous times and was told it was okay to drive. they haven't had any reports of any steering problems. it occurs every day. thankfully there were crashes or fatalities. the car is at dealer now. they are supposed to check it out on 4/5/2010. i do not trust them to give me a straight anwer or report this problem. | |||
| 09/29/2008 | 56000 | 1 | |
| I was backing out of my drive way and the tie rod fell off my truck and both front wheels buckled. this is a 2006 dodge dakota truck with greaseless ball joints in the front end. the truck was just in the manufactures shop 2 weeks prior to this for service and they didn't even notice this was about to happen. i'm not blaming them i'm just making a point that there was no sign that this was going to happen. and i know that they looked at the front end because they let me know that my brakes were getting close to needing replaced. and the tie rod is bolted on right where they look to check the brakes. i feel this is a major safety concern for me and other people out there driving these trucks. if this had happened while driving 50 to 60 mph i probably wouldn't be here typing this right now. this is a two wheel drive truck that has never been used for off road driving. i did keep the tie rod and have pictures of it if needed showing how dried out and rusty it is on the inside. so i hope you do give this serious thoughts about looking into this matter. thank you john!!! *tr | |||
| 02/04/2003 | 5000 | 1 | |
| The vehicle was purchased 12-14-06 and shortly after i began to experience the bouncing and rolling on the front suspension as well as numerous types of rattling noises. shocks were replaced on 3-14-07 and front sway bar links on 4-24-07. since then, front sway bar links were replaced again as well as one tie rod end. one sway bar link was replaced in the back of the vehicle and the other is currently needs replaced. the condition has gotten progressively worse and now includes a front end shaking on almost smooth roads as well as the steering wheel moving left and right in my hands when going around turns. this vehicle is a safety issue as i have to virtually hold a death grip on the wheel to keep from loosing control when i hit a bump, dip, strip bump, pavement waves, etc. *tr | |||
| 01/03/2008 | 35000 | 1 | |
| As i was driving i started hearing a thumping coming from the front of the truck. i immediately took it to my mechanic at monro in tunkhannock. he advised that the sway bar has gone bad. along with 80,000 other people that own dodge dakota trucks, he put me on a waiting list to get the part. it has been 6 months. no recall, and i am still driving my 2006 dodge dakota quad cab truck around with a broken sway bar. the part isn't even available on the aftermarket either. if i would like to trade my vehicle i will take a loss because this piece is broken. now my rack is going bad because of the added pressure on it because of the sway bar being bad. i tried to call and talk to someone at chrysler and they said sorry...not sure when it's going to be available. honestly i want it fixed...i am tired of waiting...and if chrysler can't keep up with their shabby parts...let me trade my truck for a different one and give me full trade in value on the truck. this is wrong! highway robbery at it's best. please i am begging you to please do something. this is my only vehicle and i bought it knew with intentions of keeping it forever because i thought it was safe. i have a 6 year old that rides with me often. this makes me very nervous to drive it with her...but i don't have a choice. help! *tr | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 09/06/2006 | 08/19/2006 | ||
| We purchased a new 2006 dodge dakota in august. after test driving several models we ordered one from the dealership. we were not told that we were test driving a vehicle with tilt wheel. so the vehicle we received had no tilt wheel, which would be fine if you could see the speedometer when the speed is 50 to 70 mph. the drivers are 5'6 and 6' tall. the 6' tall person has the seat back as far as the legs will allow and has the seat tilted back. the 5'6' person is unable to sit up straight in the seat and see the speedometer. upon calling the dealership we were told that the steering column is a design flaw and we are stuck with the problem. we feel this is a safety issue and this problem should be corrected. tilt wheels should not be an option it should be standard. chrysler's service representatives told us that its was our problem, they would not allow us to talk to their managers and eventually hung up on us. we were un able to contact the chrysler regional reprsentative for our area, because they refuse to give out that information. everyone has been quite uncooperative in this situation. | |||