Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. *23 July '99 - "check noise at low speeds from drive train" - front propeller shaft ball socket insufficient lube noisy 16300100 driveline/propeller shafts, remove inspect wheels, brakes, universola, repair/lube front shaft ball socket joint and reinstall -n/c. …
Engine experiences rough and low idle, and stalling, dealer has replaced throttle body, manifold gaskets, and valve body, however stalling still exists, dealer stated the combination of stopping, shifting, and the turning of the steering wheel causes the engine to stall, there was also an oil pan leak and coolant leak, purge solenoid was also noisy. Reverse lights had a defective switch and the headlights had a defective switch. Exhaust was noisy and the exhaust bolts were broken. Moldings were leaking, dealer had to also replace carpet. Brakes locked up, dealer found they were full of brake dust, front rotors gouged, dealer replaced brakes and rotors. Steering gear box and power steering gear assembly both leaked. …
I am the owner of a 1998 Dodge Dakota. When I brought in this vehicle for the mandatory safety inspection in 2006 I was informed that the engine manifold bolts had broken and needed to be replaced for the vehicle to pass the safety inspection. Without replacing the bolts it would be unsafe to drive. Cost to me was $561.18. I had the required safety work completed. This year I brought the same vehicle in for the required safety inspection and was informed that the ball joints were warn and needed to be replaced or the vehicle would not pass the safety inspection. The vehicle has 63,736 miles on it. I talked with several repair shops and they informed me that ball joints should be warn out at this low mileage. I also went to the consumers affairs commission web site and there was numerous articles regarding the problems with the Dodge dakotas suspension and steering assemblies. …
While attempting to turn right the steerling locked up and was not able to turn. This caused the vehicle to go off of the road and into a field before stopping. This could have been a lot worse if there had been other vehicles involved. Mechanic has recomended that all of the following components be replaced. (4) ball joints (2) control arms (2) tie rod ends have seen numerous complaints about premature failures of the components on 97 - 04 Dodge Dakota and durango models. Mine is a 98 Dakota w/ 63665 miles. Chrysler has not issued a recall, stating this is not a safety issue. Not being able to turn your steering wheel seems to be a safety issue to me. After considerable effort I was able to break the "locked" condition and free up the steering. After this, the steering was still sticking, but got better as time went on. It seems to stick the most when the temperature is below 40 deg. …
Upper and lower ball joints deteriorating 5-24-2004, 27,675 miles steering intermediate shaft 6-22-2004. Ball joints, lower control arm, and right wheel bearing had to be replaced by dealer. Steering intermediate shaft had to be replaced at freehold Dodge nj very loose front end, hard to control, bounce. Typical symptoms of a front end falling apart. Dates above are replacement dates. Third major problem is all of the bolts attaching the cab are deteriorated. Taking to my nm Dodge dealer. Can not even take off the bots they are so bad on the cab of my truck [redacted] I have been the owner from day one. In my parents name in new jersey for insurance rate reduction. Updated 07/24/2012* js
Dt: the consumer had a 98 Dodge Dakota, took to tire shop, truck could not be aligned because it had defective ball joints. Contact called the daimler Chrysler, who informed him that there was no recall on this vehicle after repairs were done vehicle had steering problem. There was a noise in the steering column. Then, at repair shop owner was informed there was a defective steering gear, and would cost $800. Owner did not repair steering and vehicle veered to the right/left. Tire company stated the crown of the road caused vehicle to pull to the left/right. Tire shop indicated they could repair the problem,but there were 500 steering gears on back order. Owner felt there was a problem with the steering gear otherwise there wouldn't be 500 steering gears on back order.
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. This is a very dangerous defect that could cause a serious accident. Dodge doesn't seem to be doing anything about it. I've read stories on the net from others with this problem. Thank you
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. I was told by my garage that the vehicle is safe to drive, but I read story after story of accidents that have caused severe damage to vehicles, injury and even death.
1. Front crank seal leaking at first oil change, dealer finally replaced. 2. Leaking front right shock absorber noticed at first oil change. Dealer replaced both at owners request. 3. There is a loud popping sound coming from the front steering components when the vehicile is in motion and you turn the steering wheel lock to lock. The sound is made when turning left or right. 4. Water leak through back slider window resulted in two new carpet/pad assemblies to installed. Dealer finally fixed after 4th visit and threat of filing for lemon law protection. 5. Drivers side air bag failed to deploy at 25 MPH in a front end collision.
Steering complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Dodge Dakota, 9% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Dakota steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1998 Dodge Dakota, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Dakota steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.