Two problems related to steering column have been reported for the 2003 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My 2003 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab has a defect in the under dash control unit attached to the steering column. The defect has caused a short circuit that has caused several wires to burn. The defect is exactly the same as issue 03v078000 (recall for Dodge ram 2002). This results in 1. Fan inoperable 2. Fan turns on after the key is removed and continues to run draining the battery 3. The wires burning is a potential fire hazard 4. Tilting the wheel results in sparking of the wiring assembly. My vehicle has manufactured in the us and some of the parts are only listed for 2002 models. When I purchased 2003 rotors, they did not fit but the 2002 rotors where an exact match. I believe my 2003 Dodge truck is a 2002 in disguise. I called Dodge to get answers and they have not called me back.
On July 30, 2006 my cabin controls (a/c, defrost, vent and window wipers) would not work. I took the vehicle to my local mechanic who identified the problem in the wiring harness in the steering column. My local mechanic made an attempt to fix the problem but when he contacted Dodge for a replacement part they refused to sell it to them due to a recall on the model year before mine (2002). I had to take my vehicle to dave croft motors in collinsville, IL for repair costing me approx 2x's more than my local shop. Dave croft said the wiring harness and ignition switch was bad due to the faulty part. When I question Dodge about this harness and the recall they would not provide me any information. Dave croft fixed the problem as of this date however, I am still waiting to hear from Dodge if they will cover this repair. (recalled part in 2002 Dodge is the same part in my 2003).