The steering is very hard to turn either left or right at most times. Feels as if the power steering has failed, but had it inspected by mechanic and says power steering pump and belts are fine. This difficulty in steering is also accompanied by a grinding type of noise in the steering column behind the steeing wheel. It has become more than just an occasional annoyance but rather a more permanent safety issue since my wife is no longer able to use the truck because of the difficulty with the steering. Please advise on what may be the cause and if the manufacturer is aware of similar problems with other Dakota pick ups and if they have issued a recall in the past to remedy the problem. I am hoping to have this resolved quickly since I fear it may only lead to some tragic or catastrophic result. Thank you

- Unionville, NY, USA

Issue with the steering, appeared to be a problem with the pump. Occurred at about 50K miles, 6 yrs. While driving the steering would get hard like the pump had failed, and then without warning, would return to the power assist and over steer due to the pressure I was already exerting. This took place at all speeds and under city and highway conditions. Very disconcerting. After about a week of this I took it to the dealer. They determined it was a failing fluid control valve in the power steering pump and replaced it. It was covered under the extended warranty I had purchased but would have cost over $1500.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Intermittent steering. Sometimes when turning left or right, steering will not return to center. Now this does not happen all the time. Sometimes it will happen then after driving awhile it will clear up. But this has been an ongoing problem. Checked power steering fluid, air pressure. Looked at other forums for this common problem. Consensus is the steering rack and/or the intermediate shaft. Went and had steering rack and lower shaft replaced and it cured the problem about 97 percent. Dodge should have a recall for safety reasons as this could involve fatalities.

- Vadnais Heights, MN, USA

Got in vehicle and started to drive when I noticed making a turn the steering wheel would not return to center. The steering was real heavy like the power steering was failing. Checked power steering fluid-it was okay, tire pressure was ok. As I continued to drive the steering got better. Since that incident the problem with the steering comes and goes. I went on the web and found out how many more 2004 Dodge Dakota truck owners are having the same problem. The steering problem seems to be in the intermediate shaft and/or the steering rack. There should be a recall for this safety problem or a class action. Also the 2004 Dakota ball joints went out at 60000 miles at my expense. There was a recall for 2003 Dakota ball joints being bad but not 2004. I had bought a 1993 Dakota brand new and bought the 2004 Dakota brand new but I might have to reconsider going to another make if the steering does not get remedied by Dodge.

- Vadnais Heights, MN, USA

The steering is hard when the vehicle is cold.. when you turn the steering wheel is stiff and hard to turn and does not go back to a neutral position. You have to manually turn the steering wheel back to straighten it out. When the vehicle is driven for a hour the steering improves. I have seen many other complaints about the same problem with the same vehicle. It is a safety hazard.

- Del Mar, CA, USA

Steering was loose at first but became very hard to turn at any speed.changed the rack, with same problem. I than changed the steering pump with little to no success.

- Lake Luzerne, NY, USA

Noticed a problem with the power steering on my 2004 Dodge Dakota at the beginning of April. The steering is stiff and hard to turn. It requires assistance to bring the steering wheel back to center. It doesn't matter what speed you are going. It seems to get better after about 30 minutes of driving but after sitting for a while the problem is back. I bought the truck last year as a second vehicle and now regret doing so. I have had the truck to the dealership twice. 4/14/14 they replaced the lower ball joints, front rotors and power steering pump. That did not fix the problem. 4/24/14 they replaced the steering rack. $2,300 later the problem still exists. It is going back to the dealership 5/14/14 but I have my doubts the problem will be fixed after reading other complaints online. I have contacted Chrysler about this and have been assigned a case manager. I am waiting to hear what they have to say. I do not wish to spend anymore money trying to fix a design flaw in their steering components. The steering poses a safety issue and I do not feel comfortable driving it very far.

- Steelton, PA, USA

TL- the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Middletown, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that when the engine was cold, the power steering assist would fail and the steering wheel would seize. In warmer temperatures, the steering wheel would easily move from side to side but would exhibit difficulties in returning to a straight position. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and they were unable to find a problem with the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.

- Golden, CO, USA

The steering in my 2004 Dodge Dakota truck would get stiff while turning and then would turn easy then back to stiff. It is very hard to control the truck while making turns. The steering is like very unstable and could cause an accident. Are there any recalls on this issue I see that there is alot of this happening to these trucks?

- Mount Wolf, PA, USA

A good friend of mine has the exact same truck and his whole tire fell off going down the highway. He thank god did not get hurt or hurt anyone else in the prosess. He told me that in 2004 their was a recall on the ball joints of this vehicle. I bought my truck from a private owner and do not have a recall notice of my own, is there a way now that I am the 2nd owner of this vehicle that I can still have this recall be taken care of at a dealership being that it is under 10 years within the recall time limit. I don't want to have what happened to my friend happen to me. Thank you.

- Ledyard, CT, USA

On Feb.15, 2012 was driving and went to make a turn and the after a quarter of the way into the curve the steering locked up and became very hard to turn, causing me to almost hit the car setting at the light. And since that time the steering is hardest to turn when cold and easier when warm. The steering when it is cold is stiff when you are a quarter the way into the curve and then releases then hard again all in the same turn, making it very dangerous because it makes your vehicle swerve and become reckless. Dodge needs to issue a recall on the defective steering parts. I have been told it because of poor design and lack of lubrication points causing the failure. Please mandate that they issue a recall on this vehicle for this problem, thank you very much.

- Piqua, OH, USA

Around October started having trouble with steering would be tight then loosen up if it was warm. When it got colder it got very hard to steer. Changed the rack then every time you would turn it would pull tight and let loose and make truck swerve. Figured most have gotten a defective part changed steering rack again. Same problem decided to change steering pump this time. So much for that it didn't help either now I have a whining noise on top of the tight steering. I have already put alot of money into it and nothing seems to be working!!!!!!!!!

- Black Lick, PA, USA

Began to experience heavy, difficult steering, especially when cold, and metallic clunking or grinding noises when turning tightly at low speeds accompanied by power steering pump whine on a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4.7L V8 4X4 quad cab. Steering has also become abnormally heavy at normal driving speeds with difficulty centering steering wheel and reduced power steering assist. Inspection of steering components revealed severe rust on steering intermediate shaft upper U joint caused by road salt and moisture, which resulted in steering difficulty and strain on power steering system. This condition is extremely dangerous due to the extra effort required to steer the vehicle. Lubricating the joint with grease temporarily alleviates the issue, but problem returns after a period of time and will require eventual replacement of upper/lower intermediate shaft(s) at a parts cost of approximately $226, plus labor. Internet research reveals this is a widely occurring issue on this generation of Dakota pickup caused by poor design (lack of lubrication, no protection from the elements, and inadequate rust proofing) of a critical steering component, where failure can result in a serious safety hazard by making the vehicle more difficult to steer, and thus Chrysler group llc should be held liable for repair costs of this component.

- Quarryville, PA, USA

No power steering assist in cold temperatures. With first start up the truck turns very hard. Even after drivig for several miles truck is still hard to steer and you constantly have to correct it.

- Palmerton, PA, USA

Power steering went out and took it in to flush the fluid. Didn't do anything but was to give it a few hundred miles. I waited to see what was going to happen and after 1 month and nothing changing I replaced the fluid again with some correction fluid. Didn't work, then another month later the steering released back to normal in the middle of the turn. Two weeks later the power steering became intermittent and sometimes in the same turn. At this point I searched deeper on the intranet and found multiple complaints about Dodge Dakota steering and many that were specific to a 2004 Dakota and more than a handful that had about 70K miles like mine. After spraying penetrating oil on the U-joint with a short term correction, I'm convinced that I now have one of these faulty steering shafts.

- Carmel, IN, USA

Truck has become very hard to steer. Like the power steering has failed. When going into a turn is very hard to turn and when coming back it sticks and have to turn hard on the wheel. This comes and goes, seems to work fine when the weather is hot out and seems to fail when the weather is cool or cold.

- Lasalle, MI, USA

Steering became inconsistent. Vehicle was very difficult to turn, but would become occasionally easier making it difficult to control going into and out of turns. Dealer replaced intermediate steering shaft at a cost of $420. This fixed problem.

- Waterford, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while making a turn the steering wheel locked in the direction the vehicle was turning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 140,000.

- Grafton, WV, USA

The contact owns 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the steering wheel became increasingly difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the diagnosis stated that the intermediate steering shaft failed. The failed component was replaced and the vehicle was repaired.the manufacturer was notified. The failure and current mileages were 74,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Riga, MI, USA