2012 Dodge Durango: steering wheel locks up

Filed Dec 18, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

My vehicle has had recalls performed multiple times since 1st purchased in 2012. The issue was vehicle stalling. At 1st Chrysler / Dodge addressed it as issues upon start up where the vehicle sounded as though it was skipping when hitting the ignition button. They attempted to remedy this with multiple fuel pump relay recalls. They attempted to do internal which did not work. They then went external which also did not work. Nothing was ever formerly recognized as a suitable resolution, so any of us dealing with this were just forgotten. Well I still have this vehicle and it has gotten worse to the point the vehicle will randomly stall while in motion as it did the other day and on multiple other occasions. Under braking conditions the vehicle stalls where everything on the dash appears normal electronically, there is just no power and the steering locks up. I have addressed this multiple times with Dodge customer service as well as my local dealership. The dealership does not want to attempt any repairs because they want to be paid and the manufacturer is not entertaining it. I am aware the vehicle is out of warranty but I am not paying for something the manufacturer has known about since first purchased. There has been no further actions by the manufacturer to address this. They have moved on to newer existing Durango models.

Filed Oct 13, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 133,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v813000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Mckay's dodge chrysler jeep ram fiat (2020 frontage rd s, waite park, mn 56387, (320) 247-6624) was contacted and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact restarted the vehicle and regained steering functionality. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 19, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 70,599 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. While driving 25 MPH exiting the freeway, the vehicle started to accelerate and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact continued driving and did not coast over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle shook violently while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to turlock chrysler dodge jeep ram (1600 auto mall dr, turlock, ca 95380) where it was diagnosed that the software needed to be upgraded. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While at a stop sign, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, restarted the engine, and was able to resume driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. A twenty seven point inspection was performed. The contact was informed to drive the vehicle until the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 70,599.

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Electrical · 54,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the seat belt and battery warning indicators illuminated. Later, the check engine, traction control, and ABS warning indicators also illuminated. In addition, the air condition and radio failed to function, and the windshield wipers functioned slowly. While exiting the highway, the power steering seized and made it difficult to maneuver. The contact had to apply excessive force to turn the steering wheel. Also, the vehicle began to shake violently and all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact placed the gear shifter into park, but it failed to go into neutral. The contact called the police and two officers assisted in pushing the vehicle off the ramp into a parking lot. The contact waited for hours then had the vehicle jumpstarted; however, it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the parking lot of sam's club (1025 e black horse pike, pleasantville, nj 08232). Two days later, the contact called the motor world dealer located in wilkes barre, pa 18702 and was informed that fiat chrysler was initiating a recall on faulty alternators. The dealer did not know if the VIN was included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall and, if the vehicle should be repaired, they would not be responsible for the repair, even if the VIN were affected. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

Filed Feb 14, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 107,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power and various indicators flickered on the instrument panel. The steering wheel locked up. The vehicle was pulled over and later towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2016 · Engine, Steering · 88,952 miles · TX

As I was turning left into a community the steering wheel locked up while the vehicle was still in drive. I immediately put the emergency lights on. I put my foot on the brake for safety while the vehicle was still in drive. I lifted my foot from the brake and the car remained still. I pressed the gas pedal and the car remained still. I then placed my foot on the brake again and it was stiff. When I pressed the gas the vehicle wouldn't move while still in drive. I placed my foot back on the brake and put the vehicle in park. I pressed the engine button and the vehicle engine came on. I turned the emergency lights off, put the vehicle in drive and continued my destination. I have a video, but it exceeds the upload size for this site.

Filed Dec 8, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

I was taking my son to tutorials. I turned right and the steering wheel locked up. To keep from having an accident, I had to slowly veer to the left upon the median. I turned on the emergency lights. The radio was still playing, but the car had simply stopped moving. I pressed the engine button to turn the vehicle off. Then I pressed it again to restart it. It started with no problems and I continued to take my son to tutorials.

Filed Dec 8, 2016 · Acceleration, Steering · TX

We were driving about 65 MPH an were approaching a major highway intersection. The air in the car began to get warm and the steering wheel locked up. We were blessed to be near a shoulder where we could pull over. I turned on the emergency lights and we pulled over to the right side of the freeway. We turned the vehicle off, waited a moment and then turned it back on. The engine shook when the vehicle restarted. We were able to drive home without any additional stopping.

Filed Dec 8, 2016 · Acceleration, Steering · TX

I was taking my children to school. I had just exited the freeway and slowed down to about 25 MPH. As I slowed down the steering wheel locked up. There was no where to veer off in this situation because we were in the farthest left lane that had to turn beneath the underpass. Because we were at a stop light, I was able to turn the emergency lights on, turn the vehicle off and turn it back on. The car shook a little and we continued to school.

Filed Dec 8, 2016 · Acceleration, Steering · 85,000 miles · TX

I was taking my children to school. We were in morning traffic on a major highway going north. We were in the second farthest left lane. I was driving about 65 MPH when the car suddenly began to slow down on its own. The steering wheel locked up. This time we were in a bulk of traffic and an 18 wheeler was behind us. I turned on our emergency lights, looked to the left and had to stick my left arm out the window to signal to the other cars behind us to let us over to the left shoulder. I was able to guide the vehicle to the left shoulder. The radio was still playing. I turned the car off, sat for a moment to calm down and called my husband. I then restarted the car and continued taking my children to school.

Filed Oct 17, 2016 · Engine · 48,000 miles · NY

In december 2011 I purchased a new 2012 dodge durango citadel from northtown dodge chrysler jeep ram (ndcjr), in tonawanda, ny. I am having an issues with periodic stalling without warning while driving. In april 2016 while slowing down to exit right via a thruway ramp the durango stalled and steering wheel locked without any warning. I brought the vehicle into ndcjr on 4/30/2016 and was told that they were 'unable to make any repairs because they could not duplicate the issue'. In july 2016, my husband experienced the stalling while making a left turn. My most terrifying experience came in august of 2016 when I was on a main road in busy evening traffic, slowing down to merge into the left turning lane, and the car completely stalled and steering wheel locking again almost causing me to rear end the vehicle in front of me. I contacted ncdjr to inform them that this was happening again and that I needed my vehicle serviced. Northtown had my vehicle from 8/6/2016-8/30/2016 and I was again told, the vehicle could not be repaired because 'they could not duplicate the problem'. On the evening of thursday, 9/29/2016 I was getting off at an expressway ramp and was sitting in rush hour traffic waiting for the light to change, and when I accelerated the car made no motion, I was again stalled without warning. Per their instruction, I contacted ncdjr and told them I was bringing the vehicle right over. They again could not "duplicate the problem" however they decided to put a tracking device on the car so that when it stalls again it can be recorded. I picked the vehicle up 6 days later on wednesday, 10/5/2016. I feel that I have been more than patient and have been through all of the proper channels, however, I am being asked to continue to put my family, myself and others at risk by driving a car that is unsafe to have on the road in this condition.

Filed Jun 11, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 43,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel seized. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v115000 (electrical system); however, the part was unavailable to perform the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.