2000 Dodge Dakota Steering Problems

"TAKATA RECALL" THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO LEAK EVEN AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA ID

11111463

Incident

Feb 7, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED. I HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION AND HAVE BEEN TOLD INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDS TO REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND AM TOTALLY CONFUSED AS TO WHY CHRYSTAL HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY PART, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MANY DODGE OWNERS. ALL NHTSA NEEDS TO DO IS SEARCH IT ONLINE. SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND YET NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. I HAVE WRITTEN/ EMAILED TO DODGE CORP. AND WAS TOLD THAT RECALLS NEED TO BE PROCESSED THROUGH NHTSA. PLEASE ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM FILE A COMPLAINT SO DODGE WILL FINALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

NHTSA ID

10763721

Incident

Sep 14, 2015

Mileage

207,834 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO BECOME PUNCTURED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V193000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10668159

Incident

Dec 17, 2014

Mileage

200,000 mi

STEERING LOCKING UP DUE TO FAULTY STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10356073

Incident

Sep 2, 2009

Mileage

105,000 mi

UNIVERSAL IN THE SHAFT WEARS OUT AND CAUSES EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL,AND COULD BREAK. HAD TO BUY A NEW SHAFT OFF EBAY,THAT DODGE HAS SINCE IMPROVED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10347008

Incident

Jul 7, 2010

Mileage

94,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION, BALL JOINTS, AND TIRE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,400.

NHTSA ID

10189746

Incident

Apr 29, 2003

Mileage

57,400 mi

NOISE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VIBRATION FROM STEERING WHEEL. SOUNDS AS IF POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LOW ON FLUID. MAKES A LOAD NOISE WHEN STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. DROVE SHORT DISTANCE TO REPAIR FACILITY AND WAS SHOCKED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSES HAD SPLIT. ALSO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT IF POSSIBLE IF NOT REPLACED. ALSO A BOOT WAS TORN AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. WORK HAS NOT BEEN STARTED AS I FIND IT IS NECESSARY TO GET MORE THAN ONE ESTIMATE. THE LOCAL GARAGE WANTS IN EXCESS OF $1200 FOR THE REPAIRS WHILE THE DEALER WANTS OVER $2000. APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS AGO I HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND HAD TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AT AN EXTRA CHARGE. NO VISUAL SIGNS OF WEAR WAS NOTICED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10184056

Incident

Feb 28, 2007

Mileage

71,528 mi

TRUCK STARTED TO PULL TO RIGHT UPON MID-LEVEL BRAKING. WAS TOLD BRAKES OK, TIE ROD ENDS BAD/REPLACED, NO CHANGE. THEN TOLD RACK & PINION BAD/REPLACED, SLIGHT CHANGE, STILL PULLS TO RIGHT, GETTING WORSE. NOW 3 MONTHS LATER AND AFTER $400.00 IN REPAIRS, I GO WITH A DIFFERENT SHOP, I WAS TOLD BRAKES CALIPER BOLTS ARE STRIPPING OUT. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE SHOES TO MOVE WHEN BRAKING, BINDING, THEN PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF HANDS. HAS ALSO CAUSED RIGHT TIE-ROD END TO GO BAD AGAIN. THE BIGGEST DANGER IS THAT UPON BRAKING THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS TO THE RIGHT AND I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND A GOOD USED STEERING KNUCKLE AND ALL THE ONES FOUND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FIX IS, IF CAUGHT SOON ENOUGH, HELI-COIL NEW THREADS OR REPLACING THE STEERING KNUCKLE ($415.00 PART ALONE). *JB

NHTSA ID

10178396

Incident

Dec 9, 2006

Mileage

115,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED ON A WORSENING BASIS WHILE TRYING TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. NO REPLACEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE. THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE # 10120725 REGARDING THE STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA ID

10173967

Incident

Apr 1, 2006

Mileage

100,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF AN ANGLED PARKING SPACE, THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE OUTER TIE ROD CAME APART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10155316

Incident

Apr 1, 2006

Mileage

106,395 mi

ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA MY STEERING KNUCKLE SNAPPED PAST THE TIE ROD ON THE WHEEL PART OF THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE IF THE VEHICLE (FRONT) THIS PART IS APPROXIMATELY A 1 INCH BY ONE INCH OF SOLID STEEL. THIS RESULTED IN A CRASH WITH A PARKED MANATEE COUNTY PATROL CAR. I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE SNAPPED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE INVESTIGATING POLICE OFFIER AGREED. I WAS NOT ISSUED ANY TRAFFIC VIOLATION AFTER THE OFFICER SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED . I PLAN TO BE FOLLOWING UP ON THIS WITH A PHONE CALL TO YOUR AGENY. I WONDER HOW MANY TICKING TIME BOMBS ARE OUT THERE? I AM AWARE OF THE RECALL OF UPPER BALL JOINTS FALLING OFF AND I AM WONDERING IF MAYBE DEFECTIVE STEEL IS THE CAUSE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10142532

Incident

Nov 5, 2005

Mileage

72,000 mi

I READ IN TODAY'S PAPER ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION OF 2004-05 DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS WITH THE INVESTIGATION INTO STEERING LOOSENESS AND PROBLEMS - OUR 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB HAD TO HAVE THE SHAFT REPLACED DUE TO A BROKEN CONNECTION - IT HAD LOOSENED FOR A LONG TIME UNTIL IT AFFECTED OUR DRIVING. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT TO THE TUNE OF $ 250 AND ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER MY MINISTER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER DODGE DURANGO ALSO 2000 - THE MECHANIC EVEN SAID "DO YOU KNOW A MRS. KSIONZYK FROM YOUR TOWN - I JUST REPLACED THE SAME THING ON HER DAKOTA" I DON'T THINK THIS IS A COINCIDENCE - THIS IS A VERY SMALL DEALER AND COMMUNITY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10141404

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

Mileage

98,000 mi

VEHICLE 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PICK UP 2 WHEEL DRIVE. FAILED NEW JERSEY MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION FOR BALL JOINTS. THERE WAS A LETTER ABOUT THE UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION FOUND BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY TO THE POINT WHERE THEY MAY PULL OUT OF THE SOCKET.

NHTSA ID

10122214

Incident

May 23, 2005

Mileage

50,000 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MADE A COMPLETE STOP STARTED TO MAKE RIGHT TURN BUT THE TIRES DID NOT TURN LUCKIELY I STOPPED JUST IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT THE STEERING SHAFT THAT CONNECTS TO THE STEERING COLUM COMPLETLY BROKE OFF THERFORE LEAVING ME WITH NO CONTROL OF MY TRUCK. I REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. THE REPLACEMEN PART HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A UPGRADED PART. THAT LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THE MANUFACTUER KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT A MUCH HIGHER SPEED. I WAS OUT OF 286.00 DOLLARS BUT I MUCH RATHER BE OUT OF 286. DOLLARS THAN OUT OF MY LOVED ONES.PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOME BODY GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR LOSES THIER LIVES. DODGE ALSO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS TRUCK PROBLEMS WITH THE CONROL ARMS THAT COULD BREAK AND HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING THIS ALSO LEADS ME TO BELIEVE WHY THE THE STEERING SHAFT ON MY TRUCK BROKE OFF. *AK

NHTSA ID

10120725

Incident

May 10, 2005

Mileage

60,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10117819

Incident

Feb 12, 2005

Mileage

88,500 mi

WHILE SERVICING VEHICLE FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT INNER TIE RODS WERE BAD DUE TO WEAR.*AK

NHTSA ID

10116983

Incident

Jan 31, 2005

POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THE MAIN SEAL BLEW OUT AND ALL FLUID LEAKED OUT CAUSING DIFFICULT STEERING. REQUIRED THAT THE ENTIRE PUMP BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10112565

Incident

Feb 5, 2005

Mileage

60,100 mi

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10101595

Incident

Nov 23, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING ALSO FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10111042

Incident

Dec 22, 2004

Mileage

52,000 mi

THE VEHICLE'S STEERING RACK FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE WHILE STEERING. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BALL JOINT RECALL DONE. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER OF A CREAKING NOISE IN THE STEERING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE NOISE WAS A SYMPTOM OF THE RECALLED BALL JOINTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY INDICATED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS FAULTY AND CAUSING THE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $1000. TO HAVE THE STEERING RACK REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10111008

Incident

Jan 3, 2005

Mileage

48,000 mi

STEERING COLUMN DEVELOPS CLUNK. IS MOST NOTABLE ON BRAKING AND ACCELERATION. ORIGINAL COLUMN REPLACED AT END OF 36000 MI WARRANTY PERIOD. NEW UNIT DEVELOPED SAME PROBLEM AFTER 12000 MI. CONCERNED THAT FAILURE MAY CAUSE BINDING IN STEERING AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *NM

NHTSA ID

10107582

Incident

May 1, 2002

Mileage

36,000 mi

ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2004, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ASSEMBLY OF MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK FELL OFF. MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF A FRIEND'S HOME WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK HE FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT-END OF THE TRUCK RESTING ON THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT I USE FOR CAR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE SHOP OWNER TOLD ME THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND OUTER TIE ROD WERE ALSO DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. BASED UPON THE MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK, THE SHOP OWNER TOLD ME THAT THE BALL JOINT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT AND THE OUTER TIE ROD WAS $595.67. *NM

NHTSA ID

10106584

Incident

Nov 4, 2004

Mileage

89,375 mi

CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINT, AND TIE ROD REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10106856

Incident

Dec 6, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH STEERING SHAFT FAILED. AS A RESULT, STEERING FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. *AK

NHTSA ID

10105080

Incident

Dec 17, 2004

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED (WITH NO WARNING), CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AS IT WENT AROUND A CORNER. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY, DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED HEAVYNESS OF THE STREEING AND THE LOW SPEED (ABOUT 10 MPH). I DID REGAIN REGAINED CONTROL AND AVOIDED HITTING THE CARS IN THE ONCOMING LANES. I MADE IT HOME, PARKED THE TRUCK UNTIL I COULD BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE TRUCK WAS NOT DRIVABLE AROUND TOWN WITH THE POWER STEERING BROKEN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP UNIT (PART #52106253AF). I BELIEVE I DISPOSED OF THE UNIT. MY TRUCK IS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 WITH THE 4.7 AND AUTOMATIC. THE MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK WAS ONLY 32,501, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THE IN SERVICE DATE OF 23 JUNE 2000 PUT THE TRUCK OUT OF THE WARRANTEE PERIOD. COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $501.23. THE TRUCK HAS NOT SEEN ANY OFF-ROAD ABUSE AND IS RESPONSIBLY DRIVEN.*AK

NHTSA ID

10102612

Incident

Feb 8, 2004

Mileage

32,501 mi