6.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,556 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Dodge Dakota steering problems

steering problem

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1998 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

problem #9

Jul 192005

Dakota 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We have had problems with loose steering on our 1998 Dodge Dakota for approx. 2 years now. We have had a couple adjustments, and parts replaced and finally have been told that is an issue with the manufacturing of the steering components and it will cost us in excess of $1000 to repair. I went online to see if anyone else has had similar problems with this and found out that there are literally hundreds of complaints out there for this very problem. It appears to me that Dodge is not concerned with all these complaints but I wanted to file mine anyway. I was told by my garage that the vehicle is safe to drive, but I read story after story of accidents that have caused severe damage to vehicles, injury and even death.

- Sobieski, WI, USA

problem #8

Apr 221998

Dakota

  • 7,000 miles
While driving at 40-50 mph consumer heard a sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that rack and pinion needed replacement.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #7

Jul 021998

Dakota

  • miles
While driving can hear a humming sound. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated it was rack and pinion steering.

- Valisale, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 072001

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When turning to the left the steering wheel will lockup and no turn. Heard popping noise and steering worked again. Replaced rack and pinion

- Papillion , NE, USA

problem #5

Mar 071998

Dakota

  • miles
Whine at 45 mph, complained at first service, replaced rack and pinion ger kit + some bearings, etc. Noise still there. Replaced again at 35964// replaced again on vacation out of town @ 40K due to being advised it was possible too dangerous to continue driving it. Whine still there... replaced again at 52K + bearing axle shafts... whine is still there... concern that a deeper more internal part (never replaces) is causing all this wear & eventually will cause an accident on the road.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #4

Nov 011999

Dakota

  • miles
In 1999 steering was tight/ hard to turn, and difficult to steer. Consumer tookvehicle to dealer, and they replaced rack and pinion. Currently, vehicle needs another rack and pinion. Consumer states he thought he saw where there was a recall regarding steering on his vehicle. Ball joints need replaced, however shop could not get the pin out to make repairs. Front end needed alignment, it was out of specs.

- Farmington Mills, MI, USA

problem #3

May 011999

Dakota

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is play in the steering wheel which contains the rack and pinion steering, first starting at a half inch, dealer could not find problem, play is up to one inch and a quarter.

- Lisbon, NH, USA

problem #2

Aug 231999

Dakota

  • miles
Rack and pinion steering failed, and vehicle is leaking power steering fluid. Dealer said that they needed fluid. They put fluid in and it leaked out into the driveway. Consumer was unable to steer the car/ no injuries and no collision, the truck had to be towed.

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #1

Dec 261997

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rack & pinion experiencing failure, when driving over 40 mph vehicle experience noise, since date of purchase.

- Bellflower, CA, USA

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