2006 Dodge Dakota Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 16%of 285 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,000miles
- 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 2006 Dodge Dakota, 16% of the 285 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 miles. 1 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.
“At about 62 k mi. Steering became stiff, especially in cold weather. Check power steering fluid and topped off. Problem seemed to disappear over time. However more recently at about 70k mi. Problem has returned with stiffer steering and then with looseness. Seemingly that I am overcompensating my turns. My power steering fluid is normal.”
NHTSA complaint #11142225, filed 2018-10, 70,000 miles“Power steering stops working causing loss of vehicle control. At the time I was driving approximately 20 MPH in town. Had power steering fluid leak in the past which was fixed but issue still occurs. Today it happened thee times within 30 minutes of driving. I checked the steering fluid and it was full. This has been an ongoing issue with this vehicle since it was a few years old.”
NHTSA complaint #10812004, filed 2015-12, 100,000 miles“1.drivers airbag light comes on when driver. 2.when making a u-turn I hear a loud clunking noise around the tire area. 3.the emergency release brake cable snapped off the release handle. 4.NHTSA just sent me an email regarding a recall on my 2006 Dodge Dakota quad left tire rod assembly . ( this could be the cause of my #2.loud clunking noise making a u-turn).”
NHTSA complaint #10552723, filed 2013-11, 52,400 miles“On this 2006 Dakota, steering is very stiff and makes me over correct the steering with each turn, causing me to jerk the wheel hard. There have been several incidents where I have almost hit parked cars in the process of turning. I have heard many with this problem and feel our 2006 should be included in this recall if there should be one(really needs to be).”
NHTSA complaint #10479225, filed 2012-10, 64,500 miles“Power steering comes and goes. When turning, at any speed, steering is stiff-loose-stiff-loose. This has caused me to oversteer and nearly jump the curb a few times. As I say it comes and goes. It can be hour to hour or day to day. No leaks in the power steering, fluid is full and clean. I have seen a number of complaints for this exact problem in many online forums”
NHTSA complaint #10398998, filed 2011-04, 67,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10023394Oct 10, 2007Steering column intermediate shaft - pop, click, or clunk-like sound when turning.
- 10017651Nov 2, 2005Revised power steering system bleeding procedures.
Steering: 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 2006 Dodge Dakota
126 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Dodge Dakota
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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