2004 Dodge Dakota: steering wheel locks up

Filed Feb 20, 2012 · Steering · 90,230 miles · OH

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.

Filed Sep 7, 2011 · Steering · 140,000 miles · WV

Tl* 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.

Filed Jul 26, 2011 · Steering · 72,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while turning at approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel locked up and was very difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced, but the parts needed to be ordered first. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a claim on the contacts behalf. The contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was 72,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2010 · Steering · 130,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. While attempting a turn at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the contact had to utilize extreme bodily force in order to move the steering wheel. The contact stated the failure would occur intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact the contact was able to temporarily repair the vehicle by lubricating the universal joint. He stated he would have to spray the universal joint every 1,500 to 2,000 miles. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 165,000.

Filed Jul 21, 2009 · Steering, Transmission · 34,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the steering locks while driving. He took the vehicle to the dealer three different times and they replaced the power steering pump, which did not correct the failure. He then took the vehicle to an authorized automotive engineer and was informed that the universal joint that goes into the yoke was bent when it should be straight. The dealer finally repaired the vehicle, but the contact does not feel safe driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 34,000 and current mileage was 47,017. Updated 8/27/09 *cn updated 09/09/09

Filed Jan 4, 2006 · Electrical · 14,500 miles · MD

2004 dodge durango. Vehicle stalls, no sputtering. While accelerating the vehicle has shut off without any warning. The steering wheel locks up. You cannot get the key out of the ignition for a couple of minutes. The truck did restart both times after being put in park.

Filed May 14, 2004 · Steering, Tires · VA

Steering wheel locked while towing behind a recreational motor home. This caused the front tires to drag sideways while being driven around a curve.