STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT - POP, CLICK, OR CLUNK-LIKE SOUND WHEN TURNING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Dakota steering problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 12 steering complaints filed for the 2007 Dodge Dakota, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 has the fewest owner complaints on file (12).
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 Dodge Dakotas consistently report steering failures starting in the 45,000–65,000 mile range. Tie rod ends crack or fracture, ball joints wear excessively on both sides, and power steering systems experience hose ruptures and pump failure. One owner lost all steering power on an interstate, then again 30 miles after the repair. Another had the steering freeze solid mid-turn while approaching an intersection—a technician noted this is a "popular item of replacement" at the dealer, suggesting a widespread defect.
Owners and mechanics attribute premature wear to the lack of grease fittings on the ball joints and tie rods. A steering column can become noisy, jerk over bumps, or bind up so tight the wheel won't turn without extreme force. One failure involved a bad universal joint on the steering intermediate shaft; another revealed Teflon coating deteriorating inside the power steering hose, breaking apart and circulating through the system.
A truck purchased new in 2007 developed severe rust on all steering and suspension components by 28,000 miles—muffler, driveshaft, ball joints, struts, and steering column—despite the owner living in a low-salt climate. Dodge refused warranty coverage on ball joint wear after the initial three-year period and declined to help with later corrosion damage despite a case number being issued.
Same Dodge Dakota steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Tie rod end failure
Tie rod ends wear prematurely, then crack or fracture, causing loss of steering control. Owners and dealers attribute this to lack of grease fittings for lubrication on these joints.
When: 60,000–64,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden difficulty turning steering wheel; Steering wheel jerks when driving over bumps; Vehicle pulling to one side; Loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod end replacement; one owner reported dealer quote of $1,451 for both ball joints and tie rod repairs. One owner reported Dodge covered $265 for tie rod repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge covered one tie rod repair at $265; refused to cover ball joint wear at 65,500 miles. Manufacturer notified in at least one case but offered no assistance.
Ball joint wear and failure
Upper and lower ball joints wear excessively, likely due to lack of grease fittings. Owners report these joints wear severely by 60,000+ miles under normal driving.
When: 60,000–65,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulling to one side; Worn ball joints found on both sides during inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quote of $1,451 for ball joint replacement (combined with tie rod repairs). Owners perform independent repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge refused warranty coverage for ball joint wear at 65,500 miles.
Steering column and steering shaft noise/binding
Steering column makes noise and can freeze up or become very difficult to turn. In some cases, the steering shaft itself develops internal faults requiring replacement.
When: 45,000–60,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaky or creaky noise from steering wheel area; Steering wheel jerks over bumps; Steering becomes very difficult or freezes intermittently; Noise near front passenger airbag area (possibly related to steering column structure)
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed need for steering column and steering shaft replacement but vehicle was not repaired. Bolt joints, tie rod, and sway bar replacement also recommended by mechanic in one case.
Defective universal joint on steering intermediate shaft
The steering intermediate joint (U-joint) fails, causing the steering to freeze up suddenly mid-turn. Technician noted that Dodge replaces these defective joints frequently.
When: Unknown mileage; failure occurred during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly freezes and becomes impossible to turn without extreme effort; Intermittent freezing that comes and goes unexpectedly; Failure during mid-turn, creating hazardous driving condition
Repairs/costs cited: U-joint replacement required on steering intermediate joint.
Power steering system failure (hose rupture and pump failure)
Power steering high-pressure hose leaks or ruptures, and pump also develops leaks. Teflon coating inside the hose deteriorates and separates, likely causing debris in the system.
When: Unknown mileage; failure during normal driving at highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of steering power while driving; Power steering becomes very difficult
Repairs/costs cited: High-pressure hose replacement; pump replacement. Approximately 1 inch of Teflon coating missing from inside hose, believed to be circulating in the system.
Power steering loss and repeated failure
Power steering goes out completely while driving at highway speed, creating immediate safety hazard. In one case, power steering failed again shortly after repair.
When: Unknown mileage; occurred on Interstate 295 and I-95 during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering while driving on interstate; Loss of vehicle control; Recurrence of failure shortly after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering system repaired; cause of repeated failure not specified in narrative.
Steering column corrosion
Steering column rusts and deteriorates, with the internal structure falling apart despite body panels showing no corrosion.
When: Within 4–5 years; noted at 28,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column falling apart internally; Severe corrosion on steering components despite low salt/road chemical exposure
Repairs/costs cited: Owner documented with photographs; Chrysler assigned case number but specific repair costs not itemized.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler assigned case number but ultimate resolution not detailed in narrative.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he heard a squeaky noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the bolt joints, tie rod and sway bar were malfunctioning and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was…
2007 Dodge dakota with 63700 miles had tie rod end failure causing steering and control problems. Had this failure occurred at highway speed there could have easily been a serious and possibly deadly event. I had the problem repaired and contacted Dodge about this. Dodge covered all expenses ($265.00) at 65500 miles I took the truck in for inspection because it was pulling to the right.…
Steering in any direction becomes very difficult, indicating problems with the power steering system. I suspect a replacement of the intermediate arm/shaft will become necessary as the dealer has commented that it is a very popular item of replacement for this truck. I am scheduled for service tomorrow at the dealer for repair. I do not believe that the steering should fail under normal driving…
Had steering trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Dodge Dakota?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 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 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 45,000 and 64,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 64,000. 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/2007/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.