Steering Rack And Pinion problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota

Rack and pinion seal busted while driving at some point resulting in loss of power steering fluid.

'02 Dodge ram 1500 steering loss due to rack and pinion leaking and failing. This has happen twice now and the truck only has 58,000 mi. On it. Please make Dodge recall these trucks before someone gets killed.

Purchased 2002 Dodge ram used. At first service interval, rack and pinion boots were leaking, main seal was shot. Also had manifold leak, along with a steering problem that causes shaking at 40 mph. Steering problem still remains, and there is a loud rattle that the dealership cannot find. This vehicle has been a nightmare, most recently, my fuel pump decided to quit working. Also, the interior trim, namely the hand grips on the driver and passenger door have been replaced numerous times, due to the cheap plastic that is used as a holding ring. Do not purchase this type of vehicle. Have had nothing but headaches with the truck, from the simple things, to the expensive things. . . Was just told that my head gaskets are shot as well, have spent thousands on this truck, with no returns, do not get this year/model of ram 1500.

I had to replace the steering rack and all its components at only 54,000 miles on a 2002 Dodge ram 1500. I looked into this and this is a very common thing to happen, and it should not be happening at such low mileage, some as low as 20,000 miles! I think Dodge needs to look into this and find out why it is falling apart so soon, and possibly issue a recall and a reimbursement for those of us who already spent the 1100 to fix it!.

For no apparent reason and without warning, the rack and pinion steering failed causing excessive leaking of power steering fluid and failure of the power steering. Dodge/Chrysler denied any assistance to the issue. The vehicle is a 2002 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab, 4. 7 liter engine. 72,000 highway miles. It has come to my attention from the dealer that this is a common problem that can happen 2,000 miles to 200,000 miles indicating the continued use of a defective part. Despite my willingness to accept the labor costs of the repair Chrysler refuses to assist with the cost of the $600. 00 part. There is no after market part available due to the truck being "too new" according to the dealer. This part failed due to a manufacturing issue and not abuse on my part. The part can not be repaired and must be replaced since Dodge/Chrysler does not supply a parts package to repair the part. Due to this fact the part must be replaced and not repaired. This is also a great safety issue as the power steering leaked out without warning causing the loss of power steering. An accident could have resulted from the loss of power steering.

Failure of rack and pinion.

My 2002 Dodge ram quad cab pickup has 49,000 miles on it. I recently brought it in to get an alignment and brakes checked, when the service writer informed my that my rack and pinion steering was leaking. 49,000 miles! if the steering is lost, the consequences could be serious, and even fatal. I called Dodge corporate for out of warranty assistance, and after sitting on hold for 30 minutes, they came back to tell me because of procedure, they will not be able to help me. The cost to fix this is $675 parts and labor. I feel that a four wheel drive truck should have it's rack and pinion last longer than 49,000 miles, and that Dodge should step up to the plate and help out. Dodge obviously does not feel that way.

Rack and pinion failure 48,000 miles. Seals leaking and pump whining. .

2002 - Dodge Dakota: truck mechanically sound when it comes to the engine. Recently had a tune-up & 27 point inspection @ 50,000 miles and was informed that the upper and lower ball joints need replacement and would cost about $1200. 00 to fix. The dealers mechanic asked if I have been hear a "clunking" sound when making sharp turns. I advised the mechanic that this sound started happening around 30,000 miles but did not pay to much attention. I asked the dealership if it was common for this to happen so prematurely. No answer. Any recalls in the works. There seems to be may issues from others surrounding the balljoints!!! if I would have known about the additional cost of $1200. 00 maybe I would not have considered purchasing the truck in the first place. Fp.

I had loss of control of my vehicle this morning which I believe is a direct result of my steering/ball joint / rack and pinion failure. It's at the dealer now being looked over thoroughly. The dealer just replaced the intermittent steering shaft last week.

Currently own a 2002 Dodge ram quad cab. I have had numerous problems with my truck. I myself have also experienced the same problems with the transmission jerking as well as the vehicle completely shutting off when idling (and not even at long periods of time). At times when putting into reverse, the vehicle will not move at all and I have to completely shut off the truck and restart it to get it to move. I haven't had it reported at the dealer yet because they will be unable to duplicate. Just noticed a problem with my rear taillights. At different times, different bulbs would seem to go out causing the "lamp out" indicator lamp to illuminate. When I went to change the bulb myself (cause bulbs are not warranty), I found that the sockets were causing the bulb housing to melt inside the sockets as well as on the bulbs. I took it to the dealer and they only replaced one side because the other they did not have in stock, yet they did not even bother ordering the other side. I have already had my rack & pinion replaced because it was leaking and also have had to have my tcm and pcm reprogramed because they were causing my check engine light to come on as well as making my air conditioning inoperative.

I own a 2002 Dodge Dakota. At 27,000 miles, the dealership replaced all four ball joints. They also worked on the 4 wheel drive. At 34,000 miles they replaced three ball joints and worked on the 4 wheel drive. At 42,000 miles they replaced the rack and pinion on the passenger side and worked on the 4 wheel drive. At 49,000 miles I had to replace wheel bearings in the passenger side. Fortunately, I have not had any accidents. I have heard noises and taken it to the dealership or my mechanic. I am very concerned about driving it. I do not feel safe driving it anymore. I think they have some serious front end problems that they should be addressing. I don't think I should be footing the bill for it. I am also very upset that the dealership and Dodge have known about the problems and chose to blame them on other conditions caused by the owner.

Electrical - cannot charge a cell phone in any of the receptacles. Works in other vehicles. Transmission - changes gears very rough, somtimes on acceleration, all the time when decelerating. Steering - at times the steering does not want to work. Will not turn, very hard as if no rack and pinion. Truck slides out at times during turns, steering gets pulled.