2006 Dodge Durango: loss of power steering

Filed Oct 22, 2021 · Steering · MI

design issue on rack and pinion assembly. Basically metal transfer pipes on side of assembly rust out. This is my second Durango 2006 model to have this problem. Complete loss of steering assist occurs because of loss of power fluid out of fore mentioned pipes. The pipes cannot be repaired, entire rack and assembly must be replaced. Exposure to road salt is cause of rusting as assembly is totally exposed under vehicle. Stainless steel pipes are a better way except to bean counters.

Filed Jan 16, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 110,000 miles · PA

My wife was driving the vehicle on a country road about 35 MPH when the engine died and she had no power steering or brakes and had to drift to the side of the road. When she tried to restart the car the dash lights would light but the starter would not crank the engine. Shop says the computer has failed.

Filed Dec 22, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 60,000 miles · MO

While driving my durango will just shut off (it doesn't run rough or sputter, it just shuts off) leaving me with no power steering or braking. I will coast to the side of the road, put it in park, then try to start it again. Most times it will start right up and other times it may take 2 - 5 minutes. This will happen about once or twice a month for the past couple of years. Otherwise it runs fine before and after it shuts off on me. One oddity that I notice is that all the gauges seem to work fine except the speedometer drops to 0 even through I am still coasting along. The engine light does not come on during this. This is very dangerous as I have almost hit other cars before since I loose my steering and braking abilities.

Filed Dec 22, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · FL

Upon turning into parking lot of local store, car shut down and system locked up. No power steering and no engine light came on. Was able to steer car to parking space, stop and restart vehicle. This is the second occurrence in 2 weeks. Same scenario, going slow in parking lot and vehicle shuts down. Another problem has come up now when after I start the vehicle in the morning, it surges from 1000 RPM to 2000 back and forth for about 10-15 seconds. My questions for the durango makers is when will their be a total recall on these SUV's?

Filed Sep 11, 2010 · Driver assistance · 43,000 miles · NV

I have a 2006 dodge durango limited with a 5.7 hemi engine. My issues is with the esp (traction control). The esp light is coming on and the esp is engaging when making turns (left & right). It also feels extremely lose at speeds over 45 MPH. When on the freeway it feels like I am driving on ice and if I hit a bump, it kicks the vehicle to the left or right, sometimes close to going into the adjacent lane. When I try to correct this act by steering back into the lane, the esp is engaging. When the esp engages it cause the wheel its engaging on to start braking. It is very scary when going 65-70 MPH, with lose steering and one side of your vehicle begins to brake. I feel very unsafe driving with my kids in the truck. Now this is confusing since it says in the handbook that the esp is always on and to turn it off you have to push the button on the center console which inturn will display the light on the dash. I have to push the button and have it turned of at all times so that the vehicle drives in a manageable way. I have looked online and noticed several complaints regarding the esp engaging on turns for no reason. It happens at speeds of 5pmh, 20mph and all the way up to 75mph. I sent the vehicle into the dealership, they kept it for a week and a half and returned it saying that they couldn't fix it and were not exactly sure why its doing it. I have already contacted an attorney for the behavior of the management and their unwillingness to correct the issues even though I have a warranty and they sold the vehicle to me like this 3 months ago. I would appreciate if this issue could be looked into, thank you worried dodge owner.

Filed Jul 15, 2010 · Engine · 49,600 miles · FL

2006 dodge durango engine shuts off without warning while driving. My durango shut off twice in the middle of intersections during turns. It doesn't matter if it is left or right turn. It shuts off after stopping at stop sign and then beginning to accelerate. The dodge dealer can not find a reason for complete engine stall. The dealer has flashed the PCM. The engine stalled next day after flashing the PCM. When engine stalls there is complete loss of steering. In one year of ownership there has been five engine shut offs. In effort to fix dealer charged me for complete fuel system cleaning which was not needed. A throttle body service which was not needed. This is a problem that also belonged to the 2004/2005 durango and is still present in the 2006 durango. The flash to the PCM does not work.

Filed Apr 25, 2010 · Engine · 119,000 miles · NJ

Dodge durango 2006. I have had numerous problems with this vehicle. At 119,000 miles, I have had the exhaust manifold gasket replaced 4 times due to broken bolts/studs, all o2 sensors replaced as well as the catalytic converter. The fuel system overflows when fueling up, splashing over the gas attendant and vehicle. The most serious and dangerous problem lately has been the vehicle stalling at all speeds in the rain. When I brought the vehicle to the dealer they said there was an update for a cowl below the windshield wipers that protects the firewall from water. They replaced this part. The next time it rained the problem occurred again, truck stalled at 45 MPH. When the vehicle stalls you lose power steering which makes it difficult to get to a shoulder. Once the truck is stopped and placed into park it will restart without a problem. The stalling continues to occur in the rain. Very scary.

Filed Jun 20, 2007 · Steering · TX

My complaint concerns the 2006 dodge durango slt. I was driving during rainy/stormy weather on sunday, 06/17/2007 when I hit a puddle, I lost power steering and I was forced to stop. I was terrified, and I was unable to steer at all. I was able to make it to my destination and stopped briefly at a gas station to gather my wits. At that time the battery light came on as well, then it went off. When I was calm enough to go home the same thing happened and I was forced to stop in my subdivision to avoid hitting parked cars. These two incidents were preceded by two similar incidents which were experienced by my fiance'. He took the durango to findley chrysler in tomball, tx the first time this happened and on monday, 06/18/2007, he took the durango to tomball dodge, and both certified dealerships told us that nothing was wrong with the SUV. They just notified us to bring it back to them again if the power steering failure again. We opted to get rid of the vehicle rather than being unable to get the problem repaired or our questions answered and risk an accident, property damage and possibly our deaths.