1998 Dodge Dakota Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 9%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 9% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This car has been a safety nightmare. From steel brake lines rusting through (and the vehicle losing it brakes), to upper ball joints almost separating to steering wheel drive shafts where the u-joints almost separated. These are not items that should fail like this. I spent part of my career looking after global product liability for cummins engine and I am stunned at the poor quality chrysler has used in critical components.”
NHTSA complaint #11053577, filed 2017-12, 100,000 miles“After reading about steering problems in Dodge vehicles, I have hope you can help me. I purchased my '98 Dodge Dakota from 5 corners Dodge at 1292 highway 143, cedarburg, wisconsin 53012. *09 dec '97 I took my truck in for customer states that when making left hand turns there is s jarring that comes through the steering wheel - replace intermediate shaft - n/c. …”
NHTSA complaint #10141593, filed 2005-11, 196 miles“My mechanic informed me that all 4 ball joints and the inner & outer tie rod ends need replacing on my 1998 Dodge Dakota. Since there is currently a recall for 2000-2003 dakotas & durangos and a class action lawsuit pending for 1998 durangos, I wonder if there is merit to my 1998 Dakota failure and the resulting expense.”
NHTSA complaint #10102952, filed 2004-12, 105,000 miles“I own a 1998 Dodge Dakota pickup truck I have been experiencing a looseness in the steering. The steering was looked at by a mechanic who showed me that my intermediate steering linkage was failing and could come apart, causing a complete loss of steering. The mechanic told me that this was a common problem in dakotas and durangos. I checked with the dealer service dept. And was told that it happened so often that they couldn't keep the part in stock. Salvage yards don't even like to sell this part used because they fail. I checked with chrysler/Dodge and there is no recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10274564, filed 2009-06, 100,000 miles“We have had problems with loose steering on our 1998 Dodge Dakota for approx. 2 years now. We have had a couple adjustments, and parts replaced and finally have been told that is an issue with the manufacturing of the steering components and it will cost us in excess of $1000 to repair. I went online to see if anyone else has had similar problems with this and found out that there are literally hundreds of complaints out there for this very problem. It appears to me that Dodge is not concerned with all these complaints but I wanted to file mine anyway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10129321, filed 2005-07, 97,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5 | 14% |
| 2008 | 17 | 19% |
| 2007 | 12 | 8% |
| 2006 | 47 | 16% |
| 2005 | 47 | 10% |
| 2004 | 74 | 36% |
| 2003 | 14 | 5% |
| 2002 | 44 | 6% |
| 2001 | 48 | 7% |
| 2000 | 68 | 8% |
| 1999 | 72 | 11% |
| 1998 | 47 | 9% |
| 1997 | 34 | 8% |
| 1996 | 7 | 4% |
| 1995 | 19 | 9% |
| 1994 | 20 | 12% |
| 1993 | 12 | 9% |
| 1992 | 8 | 4% |
| 1991 | 15 | 12% |
| 1990 | 27 | 43% |
| 1989 | 19 | 30% |
| 1988 | 26 | 47% |
| 1987 | 5 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Dakota
217 complaintsBrakes
80 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
74 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsSeat belts
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsTires
18 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsFuel system
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology