Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Dodge Dart steering problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
5crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 19 steering complaints filed for the 2014 Dodge Dart, 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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.
Flash: Powertrain Diagnostic and System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available software. A small number of customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find one or more of the following DTCs set in the PCM memory: U1504 - Implausible Message Data Length Received From Steering Angle Sensor. P0128 - Thermostat Rationality. P0335 - Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit. P0340 - Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 1. U1424-00 - Implausible Engine Torque Signal Received. P1066 - Cylinder 1 Oil Supply Solenoid Valve Switch Off Time Out Of Range
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Cold Temperature Squeak/Creak Noise While Turning The Steering Wheel This bulletin involves applying Nye® lubricant to the front strut mounts. Customer may describe a creak or squeak noise while turning the steering wheel. Noise is typically more noticeable during cold temperatures below 4°C (40°F), noise may go away when temperature warms up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Cold Temperature Squeak/Creak Noise While Turning The Steering Wheel This bulletin involves applying Nye® lubricant to the front strut mounts. Customer may describe a creak or squeak noise while turning the steering wheel. Noise is typically more noticeable during cold temperatures below 4°C (40°F), noise may go away when temperature warms up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Cold Temperature Squeak/Creak Noise While Turning The Steering Wheel This bulletin involves applying Nye® lubricant to the front strut mounts. Customer may describe a creak or squeak noise while turning the steering wheel. Noise is typically more noticeable during cold temperatures below 4°C (40°F), noise may go away when temperature warms up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Dart has a critical pattern: engine stalling at random, often after the car sits parked overnight, with power steering and power brakes failing simultaneously. Owners report this happens repeatedly around the 50,000-mile mark and in the early months of ownership. The battery light comes on, but radio and cabin lights stay on—restart takes multiple attempts or a jump start. Dealers cannot consistently replicate the issue. Some owners were told low oil consumption triggers a shutdown sensor, but topping off oil does not reliably stop the stalling.
Separate from stalling, power steering can cut out during low-speed turns (parking lot maneuvers) with no stored fault code, then return after key cycle. Dealers cannot fix either.
Owners also describe a cracking or moaning noise when steering, traced to strut mounts not sealed against water intrusion from the cowl—water floods the mount, rusts the bearings, and prevents them from spinning freely. One owner found a temporary field fix (WD-40 and silicone sealant) but emphasized the design defect needs correction.
Control arm breakage is another recurring complaint—snapping cleanly during minor impacts or normal low-speed driving, causing sudden loss of steering. Warranty and manufacturer both refuse coverage.
One owner reported the vehicle catching fire while exiting the highway as a three-week-old car, losing brakes and steering before total loss.
Rack and pinion failures occur with cracking noise at low speeds; replacements fail again.
Same Dodge Dart steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling with loss of power steering and brakes
Engine shuts down without warning while driving at various speeds. When stalling occurs, power steering and power brakes are lost simultaneously, creating an immediate safety hazard. Battery light illuminates during events. Vehicles can be restarted after multiple attempts or periods of time. Owners report this happens repeatedly, sometimes after sitting parked for 8-9 hours. Issue correlates with low oil level; some owners are told a sensor shuts the engine off due to low oil consumption.
When: Around 50,000 miles; also reported within first few months/early ownership; incidents after vehicle sits 8-9 hours
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls abruptly while driving; Battery warning light illuminates; Power steering locks up; Power brakes fail; Difficulty restarting; requires multiple key cycles or jump start; Takes 15-20 minutes to start in worst cases; Occurs after vehicle sits parked overnight or during work shift
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic testing found battery and charging system normal; no clear fix identified by dealers; suggested oil level check and oil changes by forum users with limited success
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to replicate or diagnose issue in some cases; some owners told low oil consumption triggers shutdown sensor
Power steering failure during low-speed cornering
Power steering abruptly cuts out during soft turns at low speed, particularly while entering parking spots or slow cornering maneuvers. Instrument cluster displays power steering warning light and fault message. Steering dynamics change mid-maneuver, nearly causing accidents. Function returns after vehicle is shut off and restarted. No fault code is stored; dealers unable to replicate or fix the issue.
When: No specific mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering loss during low-speed turns; Power steering warning light and message center alert; Abrupt change in steering dynamics mid-turn; Steering returns to normal after key cycle; No stored fault code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate or repair; no permanent fix applied
Cracking/moaning noise from steering during turns
Cracking or moaning noise occurs when steering, particularly during cornering. Root cause identified as strut mount that is not properly sealed against moisture. Cowl plastic grille drips water directly into strut mount cap, which is not watertight. Water floods strut mount center and corrodes bearings, causing rust that prevents free rotation. Rubber-to-rubber contact produces the noise. One owner reports a temporary field fix using WD-40 and silicone sealant, but this requires repeated application and does not address the design defect.
When: No specific mileage stated; described as common problem on forums
Symptoms owners cite: Cracking noise when steering; Moaning sound during turns; Sensation that steering system will break; Noise occurs due to corroded strut mount bearings
Repairs/costs cited: Field fix: apply WD-40 or PB Blaster to strut mount, work wheel lock-to-lock, clean cap, apply silicone bead around cap for temporary watertight seal; permanent fix requires new part design
Rack and pinion failure
Steering rack and pinion assembly fails, causing cracking noise at low speeds. When replaced, failure recurs. One owner also reported brakes failed during the incident (at 37 mph during brake application), resulting in collision with another vehicle; airbags did not deploy.
When: Approximately 14,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cracking noise from steering at low speeds; Rack and pinion assembly failure; Repeated failures after replacement; Brakes failed concurrently in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replaced but failure recurred multiple times; no long-term fix noted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of failure
Control arm breakage
Driver-side control arm breaks suddenly while driving at low speed (15 mph on city street) or from minor impact (very small pothole). Owner in one case heard a noise and lost steering ability, forcing the vehicle into a curb. Wheel caved in and car required towing. In another case, control arm snapped very cleanly after hitting a pothole. Warranties do not cover this defect.
When: Low mileage or early ownership periods
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of steering ability; Control arm breaks cleanly; Wheel caving in; Grinding/cracking noise before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Control arm replacement required; insurance and manufacturer both refused to pay, citing defective part responsibility
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty does not cover control arm failure; manufacturer refuses to cover as defect
Steering wheel locked up during stall event
During engine stall episodes, steering wheel becomes locked and immobilized. One owner reported steering wheel locked up while attempting to swerve into parking lot; took 15-20 minutes to start vehicle afterward. Occurs in conjunction with battery light flashing and loss of acceleration.
When: After vehicle sits 8-9 hours; repeated episodes in 6-day period
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks completely; Battery light flashes; No acceleration response; All lights and radio continue working; Occurs after extended parking periods
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple restart attempts eventually restore function
CV axle/center support bearing failure
Right front CV axle shaft with center support bearing fails during highway driving, causing shaking and rumbling from steering wheel area. Diagnosed by independent mechanic.
When: Highway driving; no specific mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: Shaking in steering wheel; Rumble noise from front end; Occurs during interstate travel
Repairs/costs cited: Right front CV axle shaft and center support bearing replacement required
Suspension component failure—possible axle breakage
Something cracked and broke on the front driver side under the feet while driving at 70 mph on I-75 in heavy traffic. Owner heard and felt the crack. Car immediately pulled left and hit a concrete barrier, bounced off a Toyota Prius, and landed in ditch. Owner suspects axle failure but cannot confirm exact component due to extent of damage. No airbags deployed in the crash despite hitting two objects at highway speed.
When: May 8, 2015; no mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Cracking sound and sensation from front driver side; Immediate pull to the left; Loss of vehicle control; High-speed crash (70 mph in traffic)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle severely damaged in crash; towed and stored at body shop; owner unable to determine exact cause; reported as mechanical error on accident report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Accident under warranty; dealership towed vehicle but lost track of it for 46 days
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I was driving to work and not even a mile from my house when I was coming to a stop at a stop sign my 2014 Dodge dart sxt stalled. When it stalled the battery light came on and I shut it off. I was able to get it to start the next try. Then 7 days later, I was driving no more than 30 seconds when I was coming to a stop at another stop sign and the car stalled again with the battery light coming…
Had steering trouble with your 2014 Dodge Dart?
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 2014 Dodge Dart?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 14,800 and 49,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,800; a quarter make it past 49,000. 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/2014/Dodge/Dart.
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.