Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Dodge Dart steering problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Dodge Dart have filed 34 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 53,626 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Dart | 39 |
| 2014 Dart | 19 |
| 2015 Dart (this page) | 34 |
| 2016 Dart | 10 |
4crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 34 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.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Thirty-three complaints center on steering failures that create immediate hazards: the steering wheel locks up or becomes unmovable during driving, often when the engine simultaneously loses power or stalls. Owners describe loud clunking sounds, extreme difficulty turning the wheel, and loss of steering response at speeds from 10 to 75 mph. Battery warning lights frequently illuminate before or during these events. One owner hit the curb while unable to steer; another nearly struck an oncoming car.
The failures are intermittent and hard to reproduce. Dealerships run diagnostics repeatedly and report no codes or problems found, leaving owners stranded and fearful. One owner had a monitor installed in her vehicle for a month to capture the failure—it never occurred while being recorded. Rack-and-pinion wear surfaces in early complaints (within one month of purchase), with independent shops diagnosing what dealerships initially missed. A fractured steering column was documented at 24,900 miles. One case involved the steering wheel locking at just 71 miles on the odometer.
Owners express fear of highway travel and report feeling unsafe every time they drive. Several state they've researched online and found the problem widespread across model years. Dealerships and manufacturer have been notified but offer no consistent solution, leaving owners responsible for a car they cannot safely operate.
Same Dodge Dart steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss during driving
Steering becomes difficult or completely locks up while the vehicle is in motion, often accompanied by battery light illumination and total electrical loss. Owners report the steering wheel becomes immovable or requires extreme effort to turn, creating immediate hazard at highway speeds.
When: Occurs intermittently during normal driving, ranging from low-speed turns (10-30 mph) to highway speeds (60-75 mph). No clear pattern to predict when failure occurs.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up or becomes extremely difficult to turn; Battery warning light illuminates; Loss of electrical power to dashboard/instrument panel; Engine continues running but steering is lost; Loud clunk sound from steering column; Abnormal squeaking when turning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to diagnose intermittent failures. One case documented fractured steering column requiring replacement at 24,900 miles. Independent mechanics attempted diagnosis with failed OBD readers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers report inability to duplicate problems during testing. No recalls specifically addressing steering loss. One steering column fracture repair completed at dealership.
Steering wheel locking and engine stall simultaneously
Engine shuts off completely while steering becomes locked or inoperable, causing total loss of vehicle control. Owner reports steering unresponsiveness combined with power loss, requiring brake application to regain control. Condition appears related to electrical system failure.
When: Occurs during normal driving operation at various speeds (10-75 mph). Typically happens after vehicle has been driven for a period and then shuts down suddenly.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks completely while engine stalls; Total power loss including steering assist; Engine shuts down without warning; Battery light illuminates before failure; Loss of braking assist in some cases; Difficulty restarting vehicle (requires multiple attempts or key-holding)
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and alternator replacement attempted in one case but failure reoccurred. PCM/TCM updates performed by dealer in another case with continued stalling. No permanent repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships unable to diagnose due to intermittent nature and failed OBD readers. No manufacturer service bulletins or recalls documented to address this combined failure mode.
Steering column fracture
Steering column physically breaks or fractures, causing abnormal noise and requiring complete steering column replacement. Documented case at relatively low mileage indicates potential structural defect in steering assembly.
When: Occurred at 24,900 miles during normal left turn from stopped position.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from steering column (clunk or noise when turning); Steering becomes difficult to operate
Repairs/costs cited: Complete steering column replacement performed at dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified. Repair completed under warranty.
Rack and pinion wear causing front-end clocking and steering issues
Rack and pinion assembly fails, producing loud knocking sounds during turns and contributing to shifting and control problems. Dealership initially misdiagnosed issue as axle-related; independent shop correctly identified rack and pinion as source.
When: Observed early in vehicle ownership (within one month of purchase on used 2015 with 32,996 miles). Persisted after replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking from front end during low-speed turns (left to right while parked); Noise continues after multiple failed diagnostic attempts; Accompanies shifting and control issues
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion ordered and replaced after dealership initially resisted diagnosis. Knocking noise persisted even after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership argued diagnosis was incorrect before eventually ordering rack and pinion replacement. Repair did not resolve all steering-related symptoms.
Steering wheel catching or increased steering effort
Steering exhibits catching sensation or requires unusually high effort to turn, indicating potential internal binding or resistance in steering assembly. Increases risk of over-steering and loss of control.
When: Occurs at low speeds during normal turning operations. Intermittent in nature.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel catches or locks intermittently; Increased effort required to turn steering wheel; Possible risk of over-steering; Loss of control concern
Steering wheel squeaking during turns
Abnormal squeaking noise emanates from steering wheel area when vehicle is turned. Indicates wear or defect in steering column or surrounding components.
When: Observed at 60,000 miles. Occurred with other electrical and steering symptoms present.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel squeaks when turned; Accompanied by abnormal engine vacuuming sound; All warning indicators illuminated on instrument panel
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealership; failure could not be duplicated and no repair was attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to replicate issue. No repairs performed. Manufacturer not notified.
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
On my way home early morning I lost full function of my car. Luckily I was pulling into my home but my car would not go in any other gear but reverse. I could not properly put it in park or cut it off. Now it would turn on because it cannot shift into any gear. If I had made one more stop before heading home I could have been in a very bad accident or worse. This happened on 12/1/25. I…
Had steering trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Dodge Dart?
It's a meaningful issue. 34 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 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 20,008 and 88,803 miles, with the median around 53,626. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,008; a quarter make it past 88,803. 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/2015/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.