29 problems related to steering have been reported for the 2004 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Intermittent steering. Sometimes when turning left or right, steering will not return to center . Now this does not happen all the time. Sometimes it will happen then after driving awhile it will clear up. But this has been an ongoing problem. Checked power steering fluid,air pressure. Looked at other forums for this common problem. Consensus is the steering rack and/or the intermediate shaft. Went and had steering rack and lower shaft replaced and it cured the problem about 97 percent. Dodge should have a recall for safety reasons as this could involve fatalities .
The steering in my 2004 Dodge Dakota truck would get stiff while turning and then would turn easy then back to stiff. It is very hard to control the truck while making turns. The steering is like very unstable and could cause an accident. Are there any recalls on this issue I see that there is alot of this happening to these trucks?.
A good friend of mine has the exact same truck and his whole tire fell off going down the highway. He thank god did not get hurt or hurt anyone else in the prosess. He told me that in 2004 their was a recall on the ball joints of this vehicle. I bought my truck from a private owner and do not have a recall notice of my own, is there a way now that I am the 2nd owner of this vehicle that I can still have this recall be taken care of at a dealership being that it is under 10 years within the recall time limit. I dont want to have what happend to my friend happen to me. Thank you.
No power steering assist in cold temperatures. With first start up the truck turns very hard. Even after drivig for several miles truck is still hard to steer and you constantly have to correct it.
Steering became inconsistant. Vehicle was very difficult to turn , but would become occasionally easier making it difficult to control going into and out of turns. Dealer replaced intermediate steering shaft at a cost of $420. This fixed problem.
Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while making a turn the steering wheel locked in the direction the vehicle was turning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 140,000. Rds.
Power steering went out and took it in to flush the fluid. Didn't do anything but was to give it a few hundred miles. I waited to see what was going to happen and after 1 month and nothing changing I replaced the fluid again with some correction fluid. Didn't work, then another month later the steering released back to normal in the middle of the turn. Two weeks later the power steering became intermittent and sometimes in the same turn. At this point I searched deeper on the intranet and found multiple complaints about Dodge Dakota steering and many that were specific to a 2004 Dakota and more than a handful that had about 70k miles like mine. After spraying penetrating oil on the u-joint wth a short term correction, I'm convinced that I now have one of these faulty steering shafts.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while turning at approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel locked up and was very difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced, but the parts needed to be ordered first. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a claim on the contacts behalf. The contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was 72,000.
My Dakotas steering has recently become very jerky. While turning the wheel, it gets stiff, loose, stiff, loose, stiff, loose in one full turn of the wheel. Through searching forums on the internet, I decided to test a theory that it was the intermediate shaft/rod and the u joint attached to it was not lubricated enough. After greasing up the joint, the problem momentarily stopped, but then returned. This joint does not have any grease fittings and should be replaced with ones with fittings. The problem occurred after winter coming into the warmer weather where there were a lot of puddles which most likely got on the intermediate shaft and joints causing it to dry out and create this problem.
My 2004 Dodge Dakota began having steering issues last fall which became increasingly worse over the following weeks. The power steering seemed to have stopped working. When I made a turn it was stiff, then loose, then stiff again as you cranked the steering wheel. This would cause me to apply more pressure to turn the truck, then the steering wheel would suddenly loosen up, causing you to swerve. This caused me enough concern about my safety that I had a mechanic take a look. He first thought the problem was with the power steering fluid so he flushed out the system. Problem persisted. He then replaced the steering rack. Jerky/stiff steering continued to occur. After reading on a Dodge forum about this issue he tried the "temporary fix" of lubricating the lower u-joint on the intermediate rod and this seems to have returned the steering to a normal state. However, my mechanic feels this is a temporary fix and feels the rod should be replaced. Preferably with a rod that has grease fittings. Apparently there is a design flaw with this make and model which Dodge is aware of, but has failed to issue a recall for. Please look into this matter.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. While attempting a turn at approximately 10 mph, the steering wheel locked and the contact had to utilize extreme bodily force in order to move the steering wheel. The contact stated the failure would occur intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact the contact was able to temporarily repair the vehicle by lubricating the universal joint. He stated he would have to spray the universal joint every 1,500 to 2,000 miles. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 165,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The steering wheel was difficult to turn when the contact was driving approximately 55 mph. The vehicle continued with caution. The contact stated that the failure was contributed to the steering wheels intermediate shaft. The failure resulted in premature wear to the exhaust system. The part was ordered by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure which there was no resolution. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Power steering high pressure side hose p/n 52110348ae. Hose is leaking and the part is on national backorder. Do not want to be stranded on the highway when the steering goes out or have a possible accident due to no steering.
The steering in my 2004 Dodge Dakota is very tight. It takes all my strength to turn a corner. Then just when I get the wheel turned it gets very loose and I am over steering. But to turn the wheel back it is tight again. This is very difficult to drive as well as dangerous. I have read hundreds of complaints about this very same problem with the Dodge Dakota's. The problem seems to lie with an intermediate shaft in the steering. This needs to be recalled and fixed before someone is killed! it is almost impossible to drive my truck!.
2004 Dodge Dakota intermediate steering shaft.
2004 Dodge Dakota - power steering very stiff. This is very dangerous.
1. Normal driving (4 years 95,000 miles) 2. The steering is unpredictable and very stiff. I have a very hard time turning the vehicle with two hands on the wheel. The stiffness is sporadic and choppy. It makes the truck much more difficult to control and is a serious safety issue. 3. Greasing the two u-joints on the intermediate shaft solved the problem. A grease tip on both joints would permanently solve the problem.
The intermediate steering shaft withthe universal joints started tightening up to the point where I almost couldn't steer it then when it let loose the steering was very abrupt it started around 100 k miles and I understand things wear out . But aren't those supposed to be life of vehicle lubricated?????? I love my truck its been wonderful but if someone that was not as strong as me . . . . And this happened I had the repair done and it was aonly around 300-400 bucks so its not horrible but it was scary not being able to steer my truck. . . . . The mechanic said that this is common???? he sees it alot on this model truck. . . . . I just though that I also have a 89 hoinda civic and have never had a problem with the steering. . . . .
Steering very tight found that intermediate shaft freezing up poor design cause accident due to lack of steering response with spray oil freed up dealer said should replace knuckles on shaft.
While driving on the highway, steering wheel felt a little loose. Luckily only while backing into a parking spot - the steering wheel fell off into lap. The metal bracket was cracked. Car was brought to a dealership and a new part was ordered, currently waiting to be fixed. Dealership does not seemed concerned, nor can they determine if it's a manufacturing default. A claim was started with the Chrysler corporate office. Will have to see if retribution will be made. Truck has 125k miles, however regular maintenance has been performed. No other issues occurred previously. A 9-month pregnant wife and husband could have been killed if this happened on the highway. Dodge should investigate before a tragic accident or death occurs.
Groaning occurs whenever the vehicle moves in reverse and the wheel is turned one rotation left. Also recently, a loud squeal has occurred on forward vehicle movement. I am concerned with similar complaints of ball joint failure and vehicle safety.
2004 Dodge Dakota power steering goes stiff, loose, stiff, loose, etc. There is obviously something wrong and judging by the complaints I've research on the internet many more people are dealing with this same issue. It is putting peoples live in danger and a recall needs to be issues ASAP.
Intermittent hard steering. Seems like the power steering stops working. Had the power steering unit replaced but that didn't solve the problem. I did some research and found many people having same problem. Seems to be the u-joints on the steering shaft. Have to replace shaft.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the steering wheel would stiffen as if there were no power steering ability. When he turns the steering wheel, it does not turn back unless he does it manually. The failure began approximately one week ago. The contact feels this is a safety issue because it could lead to the steering wheel disconnecting from the rack unit. He believes that the cause of the failure is the lower steering intermediate shaft. The current and failure mileages were 43,000.
Steering wheel would stiffen as if there were no power steering ability. When he turns the steering wheel, it does not turn back unless he does it manually. This is a safety issue because it could lead to the steering wheel disconnecting from the rack unit. I believe that the cause of the failure is the lower steering intermediate shaft. If I spray the u joints of the steering shaft with wd 40 or pb blaster it steers great, but wears off when you least expect it!! now truck has 57,000 miles. Has had this problem since I have had it.
I am reporting the premature failure of the intermediate steering shaft resulting in loss of steering. My meticulously maintained 2004 Dodge Dakota quad cab exhibited intermittent binding of the steering making the vehicle extremely difficult to steer. The Chrysler dealership confirmed my suspension that it was the intermediate steering shaft that was binding due to ?rust? and replaced the component at a cost to me of $310. 00 parts and labor. This component had surface rust only on a sealed non-greasy fitting and should not have failed with a vehicle less than 4 years old with only 58,000 miles of use. I contacted Chrysler directly to address this serious safety issue and they indicated there was nothing they could do since the vehicle was out of warranty.
Steering very tight - takes two hands to turn steering wheel - read Dodge forum and found that the intermediate shaft was freezing up. I soaked with penetrating spray oil and it immediately freed up. Now concerned that the knuckles are weakened and should be replaced. Poor design that may cause an accident due to lack of steering response.
I just read about the steering problems being experienced on the 2004 Dodge Dakota club cab models. I have twice experienced the same problem . Once under warranty and once at my own expense. The steering just freezes up and the wheel cannot be turned with out a lot of effort. When you round a corner, it does not recover and you must turn the wheel back yourself to have the vehicle continue on a straight course after the turn. Both times I was required to have the "middle steering shaft" replaced. Apparently there is a top,middle and lower steering shaft and both times at different repair facilities it was diagnosed as the middle shaft that had failed. It completely freezes up on you.
2004 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4, purchased 8/16/04. Currently 2,200 miles on the vehicle. Within the first week of ownership, the vehicle developed rattling or clunking noises in the front end when traveling over bumps. Additionally, the vehicle is out of alignment, and pulls to the left when braking. Tire wear (although very slight @ 2,200 miles in not symmetrical between lh front to rh front tire). I will be taking the truck into the dealership @ 3,000 miles to have them look at the front end, as well as the alignment.