Steering Wheel Problems of Dodge Dakota

Truck has been driving like something was grinding against my front right wheel for a week or so, I didnt think anything of it, it had just become an annoyance. Id look under the wheel and everything looked okay and in shape, no damage was being done. The other day I drove a short distance and heard a pop, like something had popped near the wheel, I pulled over and could see no damage. I continued to drive and noticed that the grinding had stopped and my wheel seemed to be functioning correctly. I arrived to my destination with no problem. When I left the destination to return home, I started feeling heavy pull to the right on my steering wheel, if I let go of the steering wheel I would have gone into a ditch or the woods or another car. I then started noticed smoke coming from my right wheel, I was a few blocks away from home and figured I could make it, I started noticing my breaks were not working too well, and anytime id push on the breaks more smoke would arise, I went the 3 stop signs to my house and pulled in, ran around and saw that behind my wheel had caught on fire, took about 5 minutes to put the fire out with water and some cat litter we had lying around. It was so hot that it wouldn't cool down for about 45 mins to an hour. We would throw water on it and it would sizzle. I quickly removed the tire to prevent any damage to it. I noticed it had started to melt the plastic boot cover on the suspension. When you looked at the wheel you could see it had snapped off on the bottom half, causing the whole wheel to tilt inward which then caused a full on grind of the wheel and the breakpads and whatever else is down there causing such friction that it caught on fire. I then did research online and found that their had been a recall for this exact issue. . . :(.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

After only 62,000 miles my ball joints are shot. I have owned many cars in the past and never had to replace ball joints. This is not alot of miles to wear down ball joints on a truck, it is obvious there is a defect.

See all problems of the 2005 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

While driving 50-60 mph vehicle swerved to miss from hitting another vehicle and right/ left tires hit something, causing steering column to malfunction and to become inoperable.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

When started to turn there was a popping sound. A few days later, popping stopped, but there was a 2 to 3 inch play in steering before car would even start to turn in that direction. Felt like steering column was going to fall on ground, and consumer felt unsafe.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

When leaving steering wheel set in a certain position and vehicle turned off. Consumer returned after six hours and steering wheel was locked up. Consumer felt unsafe because vehicle will take off in that position.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

There is play in the steering column. The steering wheel will move approximately 1/8 to 1/4" up and down. The dealer claims it's because of the collaspable steering column.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Intermittently when there are other keys on the ring the other keys will get jammed in the steering wheel due to a hole in the back of the housing. The dealer has inspected the vehicle.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Consumer noticed a popping sensation coming from front end. Left front ball joint replaced, steering shaft freplaced, however popping noise still exists. Consumer states vehicle pulls to the right and there is tire wear.

3 of 4 mounting bolts failed causing almost complete loss in steering. Fortunately, was going slow but had just gotten off freeway, whew.

Clunk felt in steering column, felt in wheel and pedals when turning. Coupler replaced per tsb19-012-97, only marginally better. Now at 24,000 miles it's back as bad as ever.

Vehicle has been to the dealer 3 times for the same problem, loud clunking noise in steering column while turning or going over bumps, dealer replaced a steering linkage in the engine compartment and the entire steering column, the technician noted loose steering, and advised not to drive until column is replaced.

No summary.

The steering wheel locked up while traveling at approximately 52 miles per hour.

A bolt in the steering column was missing, causing a lot of play in the steering wheel. Please describe.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

The steering wheel feels loose on the steering column. The vehicle regularly makes popping sound. The consumer believes the vehicle was unsafe to operate.

Problems with vehicle's steering column. The consumer always noticed a slack or a looseness in the steering . The vehicle also developed a noise. The input shaft seal was dried at the rack and pinion and the dust cover was removed to the input shaft and the seal was pulled back.

Consumer called complaining about having problems with the steering . Also stated that the vehicle will have a squeaking noise and this happens when he is about to pull into a parking space or when he is backing out. Dealer was contacted and stated that there is a little noise biut that is normal also found TSB and but said that did not apply to the vehicle but the shop still fixed it. Consumer also stated that the noise still there. Ts.

Steering wheel column and mid shaft was replaced per TSB 971121191297. The noise and feeling never completely ended. The knock is still noticeable during stopping and turning, regardless of speed. It also seems to be more apparent during turning and breaking.