Power Steering Fluid Problems of Dodge Dakota

Tl- the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, there was odor of power steering fluid emitted through the vehicle vent. The contact coasted to the side of the road and noticed the power steering fluid was leaking from the bearing of the power steering pump. The vehicle was towed to the contact residence. The contact a certified mechanic diagnosed the failure, that the seal of the bearing, power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not offer further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000. The VIN was not available. Aw.

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Power steering stops working causing loss of vehicle control. At the time I was driving approximately 20 mph in town. Had power steering fluid leak in the past which was fixed but issue still occurs. Today it happened thee times within 30 minutes of driving. I checked the steering fluid and it was full. This has been an ongoing issue with this vehicle since it was a few years old.

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Fluid leakage informed from mechanic that rack and pinon leaking.

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Sudden loss of power steering when turning, requiring sudden and unexpected manhandling of steering wheel to straighten wheels. Inspection of power steering fluid level, post-incident, showed substantial loss of power steering fluid but no fluid leakage under the vehicle when parked, indicating leakage only occurred when vehicle was being driven. Outer tie-rods changed at 57,676 miles. Vehicle inspection, at 59,814 miles, showed no leakage underneath, power steering fluid level was at full. Inspection of vehicle, at 60,289 miles showed fluid leakage from both rack and pinion boots, worse on the right than on the left. Rack and pinion has to be replaced. This probelm was obviously sudden onset with no warning. The sudden loss of power steering constitutes a dangerous and unexpected driving hazard that very well could result in a crash. This vehicle is seven years old, has just over 60,000 miles on it. It has been maintained regularly and inspected every 2 to 3,000 miles. There is no reason, beyond poor engineering, that the tie-rods and rack and pinion should have malfunctioned at this mileage. .

This latest time (happened 1 month after buying) I was driving and noticed the steering get stiff going either way. It was just a little but over the next two days as I drove I noticed it getting worse. It is not a constant. It is as if something is hung up or catching at the steering column rotates. I am not a mech but I checked the fluid both times this has happened. No leaks, no puddles under the truck. I don't know why this happened now. The only thing I have done different was use the 4x4 a week ago when we had some freaky weather (snow in late may). I haven't noticed any really loud noises, or shimmies, not even rough riding. The mileage is approximately 98-99k and I think it had one previous owner. I bought it froma dealership and there were no known accidents or problems. I have since looked into recalls but haven't noticed any for the steering; plenty of complaints for the steering though. I wish I had known this when I was buying. Can you point me in the direction to go; is there a recall I have missed?.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that power steering fluid leaked into the boot and caused it to rupture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 48,000.

Just like other 2005 Dodge Dakota owners reported with the steering rack pinion failed. Fluid leak at steering rack pinion which caused vehicle to pulled to right. It failed to turned back to right after failed. Could have been worst if not for me went to an open field. No injury or damaged reported. It should have not failed on truck with only 39500 miles.

Power steering comes and goes. When turning, at any speed, steering is stiff-loose-stiff-loose. This has caused me to oversteer and nearly jump the curb a few times. As I say it comes and goes. It can be hour to hour or day to day. No leaks in the power steering, fluid is full and clean. I have seen a number of complaints for this exact problem in many online forums.

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Dakota. While driving 5 mph, the power steering failed. The contact checked the power steering fluid which was leaking from the bottom of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who installed a new rack and pinion gear and steering rack assembly. The dealer also informed the contact that the gasket failed. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 7,934.

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The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the power steering shut off. The contact pulled over and noticed that the power steering fluid was low. The contact replenished the fluid but the failure continued to occur. After another inspection, the contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the dealer stated that they could not find the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The current mileage was approximately 56,000. Updated 10/27/10.

My 2004 Dodge Dakota has steering problems. After taking it to a Dodge dealer and leaving it for two days they are unable to tell me what the problem is. The vehicle is very hard to steer. Fluid is not leaking, I have days that the steering is better than other days. . But for the most part the steering is getting harder everyday. I feel that it is getting very unsafe to drive,yet I cannot get an answer to what is causing the problem. After searching the internet and this forum, I have found that there are many other 2004 Dakota owners with the same problem. Infact there was a recall on the 2000 to 2003 Dakotas for the same problem. Yet the 2004 has the same steering design. I think the 2004 Dakota should have been included in that recall. Please help!! as I can't seem to get any answers to what is causing this steering problem.

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2003 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 power steering rack began leaking at 35months/31,000 miles. Replaced by dealer, part not avail. No noticeable effect as fluid was kept up. Began leaking again at 47months/36,000miles. Replaced again, part not avail. No noticeable effect as fluid was kept up began leaking again at 56 months/44,000 miles. Dealer isn't helping.

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Letter from daimler Chrysler informing me that my Dodge Dakota r/t, one of 7,000 made, that it can only tow 2,000 lbs. They marketing the truck at 6,800 lbs and have offered to refund $300 for tow package $0 for hd service group. The will not tell me what is wrong with my truck. Some owns have been offered a buy back. Chrysler is spose to contact me soon for a deal but, I can't find out what is wrong with my 1998 sport truck of the year that can now only tow as much as a Ford ranger. Then it was rated highest in its class for towing capacity.

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