STEERING SPONTANEOUSLY BECAME INTERMITTENTLY STIFF / LOOSE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WITH LOSS OF RETURN TO STRAIGHT AFTER CORNERING. *JS
2006 Dodge Dakota steering problems
moderate 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS BENT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WAS DAMAGED. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF T…
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS REPLACING, CLUNK SOUND. OEM HAS NOW BEEN UPGRADED TO A BEEFIER SHAFT BECAUSE OEM WAS NOT HOLDING UP. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Dodge Dakota?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 47 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.