MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS 08 DODGE DAKOTA LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM OUR HOME. WE LIVE IN A VERY RURAL AREA. HE WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 35-40 MPH. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. LUCKILY, HE WAS CLOSE TO A RARELY USED ROAD AND PULLED OVER. IT WAS UNUSABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC'S SHOP. BOTH TIE RODS HAD BROKEN ALO…
2008 dodge Dakota steering problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
REPAIR SHOP SAID I NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS & ROTORS, TIE RODS WERE ABOUT TO FALL OFF, SAID IT WAS DANGER TO DRIVE. CHRYSLER DEALER SAID IT WAS OUT WARRANTY. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE OUTER TIE ROD FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNUSABLE, THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CRASHED IF I HAD NOT BEEN LUCKY AND BROUGHT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD QUICKLY. BOTH TIE ROD ENDS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AS THE SWAY BAR MOUNTS. IN ADDITION THIS VEHICLE HAS ROUTINELY HAD A TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM, WHEN YOU TURN ON THE LEFT SIGNAL THE RIGHT S…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2008 dodge Dakota?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 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.
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