2005 Dodge Durango: steering wheel locks up

Filed Sep 8, 2022 · Body, Engine · MS · fire

I almost died, I escaped my car moments before it completely exploded into flames. I was driving down the interstate and it said it was overheating for a couple seconds and then the car went completely dead going 70 miles per hour. My steering wheel locked up so I fought to pull it off the road and stop it, I had a bad feeling so I checked the front of the car but it was inflamed once I got out and my seat was consumed in fire

Filed Feb 7, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 167,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge durango. The contact stated that the four wheel drive engaged independently. Also, when the vehicle was slowed down, the steering wheel seized. The failures were experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who believed that the four wheel drive engaged independently due to an electrical switch failure. The contact inspected the vehicle himself and believed that the four wheel drive engaged independently due to a failure in the wiring harness behind the dashboard. The contact also stated that the heater blower motor failed. The heater blower motor remained on the high setting. The contact replaced the heater panel himself, but it did not correct the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2016 · Steering, Transmission · 100,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge durango. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH and when making a turn, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the transmission made a clicking noise. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 90,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge durango. While driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred twice per week. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2015 · Engine, Steering · 183,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge durango. While driving at various speeds, the contact noticed an abnormal clicking noise from beneath the vehicle. The svc, 4wd, and 4lo warning lights illuminated. The engine revved independently. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. When making a turn, the steering wheel seized and required excessive force. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the tie rod and front end suspension, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000. Updated 09/25/15*lj updated 11/14/2017

Filed Aug 6, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · SC

When I'm driving in traffic (approx 30-45 MPH) or stopped at a light, my vehicle randomly shuts off. There's no indication this will happen. No lights flash or anything. The truck simply stops. I take it to mechanics and they say they can't identify the problem--but they recognize there's a problem. I'm fearful for the safety of my family in the vehicle and/or anyone we encounter when this happens. It's nearly impossible to steer the vehicle out of traffic, and the steering locks up as well. I've had the cooling system flushed, transmission replaced to no avail. Is there a recall on this thing?! There sure should be! I'm sure someone has died by now due to this malfunction.

Filed Jul 15, 2014 · Steering · 120,000 miles · TX

The steering wheel locks and the car is not able to be started.

Filed May 22, 2014 · Fuel system, Steering · 159,890 miles · FL

I was driving in my apartment complex and as I slowed down to turn my truck just shut off. Steering wheel locks and I am not able to turn. I have to press hard on the brake for it to stop and I can then put it into park and turn the key to turn it back on. I have two small children of the age of 1 & 2. Having them in the car with me when this happens is nerve wrecking. It's happened at least once or twice every 2-3 weeks. I have asked mechanics in regards to this and have had it checked and no one can tell me what it is. The previous owner said that it did the same not all the time but when he took it to the dodge dealer, they couldn't tell him what it was either. My last (most recent) incident was on 5/10/14 - the car shut off four times that day. 2 happened while I was stopped at a red light, one happened as I was slowing down to park and one happened while I was turning and the car shut off in the middle of the turning lane while my family was in the car with me. The other issue I have is with my fuel tank. I can't fill my tank because when I do ... It spits out gas. Also, I've had to switch out my il pressure switch twice since february 2014. I have no idea as to why it's doing that.

Filed May 17, 2014 · Engine · 65,008 miles · PA

During november 2013, I drove my vehicle approximately 3 miles from my house to my friends house. I slowed down to approximately 10 miles per hour as I approached my friend's house and the engine shut down with the gear shift in drive. The steering wheel locked. I had no control of the vehicle. I put the gear shift in neutral and turned on the ignition to get the engine started again.

Filed May 17, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 67,020 miles · PA

Between the end of november 2013 and the middle of december 2013, I was driving on the highway and had to slow down as I approached the toll booth. As I slowed down to approximately 35 MPH, the engine shut down and the steering wheel locked. I had no control of the vehicle. I put the gear shift into neutral as I rolled along and turned on the ignition to restart the engine. This was the second time this incident occurred within 2-3 weeks.

Filed May 17, 2014 · Engine · 68,000 miles · PA

During march 2014, I was driving my 2005 dodge durango on the highway. At approximately 50 MPH, the engine shut off while in drive. I had no control of the vehicle. The steering wheel locked. I put the gear shift into neutral and turned the ignition switch back on. I was able to restart the vehicle. This was the third incident. Prior to this third incident, I took the vehicle to two separate dealers and they could not find the problem. They told me that they could not diagnose the problem.

Filed Aug 15, 2011 · 60,000 miles · FL

While driving the vehicle, it just shuts down. It will shut down while at a stop light and while driving any speed (happened to us while going 55mph). The vehicle shuts down, locking the steering wheel and turning off the brakes. This will happen about once a day, but can be worse. I took it to the dealership and they don't have any answer for me. They are just guessing as to the problem. So far nothing fixed on the vehicle has been the problem. If this problem occurs during a turn or bend in the road (with the steering wheel locked up) there will be an accident. Many people drive this vehicle due to the fact that it can fit the whole family, so when there is an accident it there will most likely be a death/injury.