The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle made a loud noise and the drive shaft fractured and dropped without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed but no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 50,000. Updated 4/4/14

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

1.drivers airbag light comes on when driver. 2.when making a U-turn I hear a loud clunking noise around the tire area. 3.the emergency release brake cable snapped off the release handle. 4.NHTSA just sent me an email regarding a recall on my 2006 Dodge Dakota quad "left tire rod assembly". ( this could be the cause of my #2.loud clunking noise making a U-turn).

- San Leandro, CA, USA

Sudden loss of power steering when turning, requiring sudden and unexpected manhandling of steering wheel to straighten wheels. Inspection of power steering fluid level, post-incident, showed substantial loss of power steering fluid but no fluid leakage under the vehicle when parked, indicating leakage only occurred when vehicle was being driven. Outer tie-rods changed at 57,676 miles. Vehicle inspection, at 59,814 miles, showed no leakage underneath, power steering fluid level was at full. Inspection of vehicle, at 60,289 miles showed fluid leakage from both rack and pinion boots, worse on the right than on the left. Rack and pinion has to be replaced. This probelm was obviously sudden onset with no warning. The sudden loss of power steering constitutes a dangerous and unexpected driving hazard that very well could result in a crash. This vehicle is seven years old, has just over 60,000 miles on it. It has been maintained regularly and inspected every 2 to 3,000 miles. There is no reason, beyond poor engineering, that the tie-rods and rack and pinion should have malfunctioned at this mileage..

- Nine Mile Falls, WA, USA

This latest time (happened 1 month after buying) I was driving and noticed the steering get stiff going either way. It was just a little but over the next two days as I drove I noticed it getting worse. It is not a constant. It is as if something is hung up or catching at the steering column rotates. I am not a mech but I checked the fluid both times this has happened. No leaks, no puddles under the truck. I don't know why this happened now. The only thing I have done different was use the 4X4 a week ago when we had some freaky weather (snow in late may). I haven't noticed any really loud noises, or shimmies, not even rough riding. The mileage is approximately 98-99K and I think it had one previous owner. I bought it from a dealership and there were no known accidents or problems. I have since looked into recalls but haven't noticed any for the steering; plenty of complaints for the steering though. I wish I had known this when I was buying. Can you point me in the direction to go; is there a recall I have missed?

- Ashland, NH, USA

I noticed in November 2012 that the steering on my 2006 dodage Dakota quad cab seemed stiff and hard to turn, almost as if it wasn't getting enough power steering fluid - checked it and it was ok. Seemed at first to be stiffer when it was cold so attributed it to winter cold. Then at the end of March 2013, I was turning and heard a clunk as if I had hit a pothole. I heard it again on the same day and then heard a squeak as if the springs needed oiling. I stopped at my local repair shop. The mechanic oiled something - drove it and didn't hear a clunk. Three days later I took it to him and said it is clunking regularly and the steering still seems stiff. He replaced upper and lower ball joints that had gone bad, control arms, and tie rods that had play in them. This at 82,000 miles. These repairs are ridiculous for 82,000 miles. After spending $1400 I am still having tight steering. I don't know about Dodge executives, but I can't afford repairs like this. The most complaints listed for this model and year are for steering and I've heard from the dealer that the ball joints go out early - as mine did. This vehicle should be recalled for steering and ball joints! my 1993 Dakota is still going without these problems and it has 204,000 miles. If they can't make them the way they used to I'm not buying Dodge again. P.S. my sister's 2009 Dakota had a broken tie rod, ball joint, and steering issues. They can't find anything wrong with the steering. She is dumping it - won't drive it again.

- Madrid, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that he experienced difficulty steering the vehicle. The contact also stated that he had to apply an excessive amount of force in order to turn the steering wheel.the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that both the tie rod and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 48,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Richlands, VA, USA

On this 2006 Dakota, steering is very stiff and makes me over correct the steering with each turn, causing me to jerk the wheel hard. There have been several incidents where I have almost hit parked cars in the process of turning. I have heard many with this problem and feel our 2006 should be included in this recall if there should be one(really needs to be).

- Marion, OH, USA

The steering wheel gets stuck and is very stiff and won't return. Lots of complaints and the all the dealers have these parts on back order.. if there is not a recall there should be the power steering pumps, steering racks and steering control rods are all on back order and not avail in NJ, del or pa.... if all the parts are not avail that shows there is a big problem with these trucks.

- Pennsville, NJ, USA

Power steering inconsistent, nearly locks up during slow speed turns and is very difficult to turn at highway speeds. This does not always happen, does not matter if left or right turns. Have had to dealer who states no problems with steering. Have had tie rod ends and ball joints replaced multiple times, this helps for a short time, but problem never leaves completely. Am told once again that the ball joints are bad. Quit going to dealer, as I am getting no where with the dealer/manufacturer. Have found huge amount of similar complaints on the internet, and a few on NHTSA site. Would be great if someone would actually find out what the cause is and get fixed before I am in a major crash and or get killed.

- Rew, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that there were rattling noises coming from the front end of the vehicle while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the rack and pinion failed. The contact was also informed that the sway bar links were loose. The vehicle was repaired. The failure had since recurred every few months. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where various front suspension components were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 02/15/12 the rack and pinion, sway bar links, lower ball joints, upper control arm ball joint and shocks were all bad. Also, the shifter was coming out of park and the tie rods were worn. Updated 05/02/12

- Onekama, MI, USA

Power steering comes and goes. When turning, at any speed, steering is stiff-loose-stiff-loose. This has caused me to oversteer and nearly jump the curb a few times. As I say it comes and goes. It can be hour to hour or day to day. No leaks in the power steering, fluid is full and clean. I have seen a number of complaints for this exact problem in many online forums

- Germantown, MD, USA

Dealership suggested stabilizer bar links need replacement. Replaced both links twice without correcting front suspension "clunking". possible of lower ball joints failing.

- Independence, KS, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the power steering shut off. The contact pulled over and noticed that the power steering fluid was low. The contact replenished the fluid but the failure continued to occur. After another inspection, the contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the dealer stated that they could not find the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The current mileage was approximately 56,000. Updated 10/27/10.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

2006 Dodge Dakota 4 X 4 with less than 30,000 miles suddenly needs new inner and outer tie rods and 1 front wheel bearing replaced. All this changed since the last service date 8 months prior - or 3000 miles. Just came out of factory warranty. Dodge problem or poor practice of dealership to prey on out of factory warranty customers?

- Wauzeka, WI, USA

Steering winds & gets stuck while turning. I called dealer and was simply told there was no issue w/that. I dropped car off for inspection at a local garage and was told to call dealer immediately. I was informed that the steering could get stuck and cause a serious crash. The shop owner told me that it was a defect from manufacturer and refused to even inspect the vehicle. The dealer again told me there were no issues with this type of vehicle. I insisted that they look at problem and inspect the vehicle. The vehicle is a Dodge Dakota quad cab 2006. They reacted as if it was no concern. This is probably because they don't drive their children in the vehicle. I did call them numerous times and was told it was okay to drive. They haven't had any reports of any steering problems. It occurs every day. Thankfully there were crashes or fatalities. The car is at dealer now. They are supposed to check it out on 4/5/2010. I do not trust them to give me a straight answer or report this problem.

- Feasterville, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact was driving approximately 15 mph on normal road conditions. The front passenger wheel began to wobble. Immediately, there was a reduction in the speed rate. The driver continued operation with caution the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The failure was contributed to a disengagement of the steering strut. The technician replaced the front driver and passenger mounting bracket and steering strut. The failure mileage was 13,500.

- Morehead , MN, USA

2006 Dodge Dakota (cab) truck: Have had recurring issues with the steering column. Started making a loud squeaking grinding noise. Brought it in and the dealer replaced a bolt in the steering column. We brought it back to the dealer (8 mos later - though the vehicle has been making the same noises consistently for quite a while again. This last time there was "play" in the steering.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Intermediate steering shaft needs replacing, clunk sound. Oem has now been upgraded to a beefier shaft because oem was not holding up. This should be a recall issue.

- Pikeville, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. When entering the vehicle he noticed that his knee was hitting the steering wheel because it was very low. The manufacturer stated that they could not provide any resolution since the vehicle was designed that way. The contact is aware of the risk for drivers with a larger stature. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 38,000.

- Eastham , MA, USA

Whenever the contact would drive over a bump he noticed that the entire front of the vehicle would shake and rattle. The contact also noticed that whenever he turns in any direction the steering wheel will creek and bump. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact did not notice any differences beforehand, the current and failure mileage is 53000. Bml updated 9/17/09 the consumer also stated the front struts and sway bars were replaced. Updated 09/18/09.

- Pine Grove, PA, USA