2003 Dodge Dakota Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 5%of 296 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 5% of the 296 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2003 Dodge Dakota truck. I have 15,500 miles on it and on 03/03/04 the left upper ball joint had to be replaced. In 2001 I owned a 2001 Dakota and had no problems with it. ( it was traded at 17,000) miles. From 1987 until 2001 I owned a 1987 Dakota, at the time of trade it had 187,000 miles with no ball joint problems, and it is still used on the road every day.”
NHTSA complaint #10060331, filed 2004-03, 15,500 miles“The ball joints on my 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab truck began making noise at only 5000 miles. The service manage at the dealership told me that this is a chronic problem on this model, but there is no maunfacturer-authorized repair for it. I am worried about safety issues .”
NHTSA complaint #10060143, filed 2004-03, 5,000 miles“Driving down the road heard a bang lost control of the truck and hit a parked car. Car was towed away and fixed body shop and front end shop said tie rod and ball joint snapped off clean this truck only has 5000 miles on it, also I have all the damaged parts if any body wants to test them.”
NHTSA complaint #10046917, filed 2003-11, 5,400 miles“During cold weather it is difficult to turn the vehicle for the first two turns. Driver has to turn the steering wheel a couple of times before driving to get the power steering to function. Dealer says this is possibly a normal occurrence during cold weather.”
NHTSA complaint #10057644, filed 2004-02, 14,000 miles“To whom it may concern, I own a 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab slt. And I have run into a lot of problems with this truck that people I know say they had very similar problems with the same make of vehicle. To start with my truck only has about 62,184 miles on it, for a 2003 model truck, that is considered low mileage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10184365, filed 2007-03Steering: 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 2003 Dodge Dakota
100 complaintsBrakes
51 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsEngine cooling
34 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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