STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT - POP, CLICK, OR CLUNK-LIKE SOUND WHEN TURNING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Dodge Dakota steering problems
moderate 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 47 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Dodge Dakota, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Dodge Dakota we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 47.
Owners have filed 47 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
REVISED POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEEDING PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Dodge Dakota steering system exhibits multiple chronic failure patterns across 47 complaints. Ball joints and tie rods fail prematurely—some owners face replacement before 30,000 miles, others at 82,000 miles—and repairs often recur. One owner spent $1,400 on a major front-end rebuild at 82,000 miles, only to retain stiff steering afterward.
Sway bar links break repeatedly, causing thumping and rattling from the front. One owner waited six months for a replacement part, with no recall and limited aftermarket availability. The broken sway bar created secondary damage to the rack and pinion due to added pressure.
Power steering fails unpredictably—sudden loss of assist while driving at speed, intermittent stiffness that cycles tight-and-loose, and gradual tightening over days. Fluid levels remain normal, yet symptoms persist even after pump and rack replacement. One owner reported the power steering malfunction three times in 30 minutes of driving.
The steering column itself has design flaws: non-tilt wheels prevent shorter drivers from viewing the speedometer, and some wheels seize on ignition start. Steering also binds or gets stuck while turning, especially in cold climates, with only temporary relief from lubrication.
Owners repeatedly state dealers cannot identify root causes, parts remain on extended back-order, and Chrysler offers no assistance. Multiple owners note their older Dakotas (1993) run reliably at 200,000+ miles—a stark contrast to these newer models failing before 100,000 miles.
Same Dodge Dakota steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Premature Ball Joint and Tie Rod Failure
Ball joints and tie rods wear out or fail completely at low mileage (15,000–82,000 miles), causing clunking, steering tightness, and loss of control. Owners report that these parts need replacement multiple times within the vehicle's life.
When: 15,000–82,000 miles; can recur throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise from front end during turning; Stiff or hard steering; Loose or play in steering; Rattling from front suspension; Wheel wobble
Repairs/costs cited: Ball joints, tie rods, control arms replaced; costs cited include $1,400 for major front-end work at 82,000 miles; repeated repairs required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledgment that ball joints go out early; no recalls issued despite widespread complaints; Chrysler denied compensation in at least one case
Sway Bar Links Failure
Sway bar links break or wear out, causing thumping from the front end and rattling. Parts are on extended back-order and not available in the aftermarket, creating a situation where owners cannot get the vehicle repaired.
When: Variable mileage; can recur multiple times during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Thumping or loud rattling noise from front end; Front-end bounce and rolling sensation; Shaking during cornering
Repairs/costs cited: Sway bar links replaced multiple times (some owners report 3+ replacements); extended parts shortages—6+ month wait times reported; downstream damage to rack and pinion reported due to added pressure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls; Chrysler response limited to 'sorry' when contacted about parts availability
Rack and Pinion Failure and Leakage
Rack and pinion assembly fails prematurely, leaking power steering fluid under dynamic driving conditions. Sudden loss of power steering occurs with no warning and no visible puddles when parked.
When: 30,000–98,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering while driving; Stiff steering requiring manhandling to maintain control; Power steering comes and goes intermittently; Rattling noises from front end; Fluid leaks from rack boots
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement required; leaking continues in some cases even after replacement; pump and intake/outtake lines also replaced in one case without resolving the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in several cases but offered no assistance; some dealers unable to diagnose the root cause
Power Steering Intermittent Loss or Stiffness
Power steering becomes erratically stiff or loses assist without apparent cause. Fluid levels are normal, yet steering becomes difficult to turn or intermittently loses power. Problem can cycle from stiff to loose, causing over-correction.
When: Multiple mileage points; often recurrent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes stiff or hard to turn; Power steering assist cycles from tight to loose unpredictably; Steering nearly locks up during slow-speed turns; Difficulty at highway speeds; No warning before loss of assist; More pronounced in cold weather
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replaced in at least one case without resolving the issue; fluid top-offs provide only temporary relief; repeated tie rod and ball joint replacements do not permanently fix the problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletins issued (referenced in complaint #11); NHTSA Action Number EA06004 exists for steering but affected vehicles not always included
Steering Binding or Getting Stuck
Steering wheel binds, winds up, or gets stuck while turning, creating a serious risk of loss of control. The problem occurs erratically and can happen at any speed. Lubrication provides only temporary relief.
When: Variable; recurrent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering winds up or gets stuck; Extra pressure needed to correct the vehicle; Binding sensation at all speeds; Squeaking or grinding noises; Steering wheel difficult to move or turn; Erratic onset with no pattern
Repairs/costs cited: Lubricating with penetrating oil or WD-40 provides temporary relief; steering shaft disassembly and part replacement anticipated but not always completed; corrosion suspected in cold/salt climates
Steering Column Design and Adjustment Issues
Steering column cannot be adjusted to accommodate drivers of different heights, creating ergonomic and safety hazards. Non-tilt steering wheel prevents shorter drivers from seeing the speedometer, and in some cases, knee interference occurs.
When: Present from purchase/early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Inability to see speedometer at highway speeds; Steering column cannot be tilted (non-tilt design); Knee hits steering wheel; Steering column impossible to adjust; Squeaking or grinding from column
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; manufacturer states design flaw is uncorrectable; one owner reported replacement bolt in steering column by dealer; another reported possible steering column replacement needed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer acknowledges steering column is a design flaw; told owners 'stuck with the problem'; service representatives uncooperative; no tilt wheel option available on some vehicles
Steering Shaft Corrosion and Binding (Cold Climate)
Steering shaft corrodes internally in cold, salt-heavy climates, causing binding and loss of smooth rotation. Suspected design flaw allows moisture or road salt ingress into the shaft assembly.
When: More prevalent in cold/salt climates; variable mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering binds or catches; Erratic binding behavior; Squeaking noises; Requires extra force to turn wheel; Occurs unpredictably
Repairs/costs cited: Penetrating oil lubrication temporarily relieves symptoms; permanent fix requires steering shaft disassembly and possible part replacement; expensive repair anticipated
Tie Rod Complete Disengagement
Tie rod completely detaches or falls off the vehicle with no warning, causing both front wheels to buckle. Happens despite recent dealer service and routine maintenance.
When: Can occur at any mileage; reported as low as low-mileage vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Tie rod falls off during low-speed driving; Both front wheels buckle immediately; Complete loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod observed to be dried out and rusty on inside; replacement required; no advance warning despite recent dealer inspection
Steering Wheel Seizing at Ignition
Steering wheel seizes when key is placed in ignition, making the vehicle impossible to steer without excessive force. Occurs sporadically; may occur when knee bumps the ignition key or spontaneously on engine start.
When: Variable; can happen multiple times in vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes seized/locked; Key comes out of ignition unexpectedly; Requires excessive strength to turn wheel; Check engine light illuminates; Steering wheel locked when starting engine
Repairs/costs cited: Potential need for steering column replacement or ignition switch replacement; mechanics uncertain which part is faulty
Synthesized from 47 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Steering spontaneously became intermittently stiff / loose in both directions with loss of return to straight after cornering. *js
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…
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
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Dodge Dakota?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
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?
Across the 41 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 38,450 and 70,100 miles, with the median around 54,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,450; a quarter make it past 70,100. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Dodge/Dakota.
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.