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 2001 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2001 Dodge Dakota slipped out of park into reverse gear and was circling out of control. The vehicle eventually struck a concrete median and stopped. The driveshaft and other parts under the vehicle were damaged. This wasn't the first time the gear selector jumped out of gear. This vehicle was previously taken to maroone/Dodge service center to have the transmission checked where it sat to this day. Consumer stated it was a mechanical problem since they complained about this. They haven't obtained no information on their vehicle since it was towed to the repair shop. The A/C only worked on high due to a faulty blower motor resistor. The power steering made noise intermittently. The gas cap was loose which caused the check engine light to illuminate. The driver seat handle came apart
While driving at a low speed, the inner tie rod end came out of the socket and the front driver side tire turned to the left. This resulted in vehicle crashing into a concrete phylum. The inner tie rod , front lower ball joint, fender, bumper, blinker and rim needed to be replaced. Also when making a sharp right turn driver's side inside rim was rubbing against something underneath the vehicle. Dealership was not willing to replace any component until they were able to duplicate the failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and turning left or right, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise. The contact stated that it sounded like a gear was loose. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4 driving along the hwy around curve at 55 miles and hour power steering failed almost had a head on collision. The truck has been in the shop for a week being fixed under warranty. Odometer 29980.00 miles. I have had multiple problems with this truck ever since it was bought new, they had to replace the power steering pump, malfunction indicator light (MIL) on the dash. Transmission slipping. Received the truck back from the dealer drove 22 miles transmission slipping again MIL light on again. Had to replace the radio malfunction, I could go on and on. I feel that the power steering failing, could have cost my wifes life not to mention the occupents of the on comming truck. The truck is driven by her 99 percent of the time. I just happened to be driving it on the long weekend. I was able to fight with it and managed to drive to the side of the road. …
Recently had to replace the following: drivers side upper ball joint and control arm, drivers side spindle retaining plate and locking nut. The simptoms were, a slight thumping noise when going over smal but sharp bumps (like entering a driveway), and a sound similar to a spring being stretched and compresses. The work was done under waranty (29,000 miles). The thing that bothers me is that it took 2 attempts at the dealer to get it fixed, and that all the things I've been reading indicate problems on the passenger side! Am I just a disaster waiting to happen? Is daimler chrystler going to own up to defective design and manufacture or do a bunch of people have to die first?
I own a Dodge Dakota quad cab 2001 5.9 v8 the brakes have always sucked. The front rotors warped over and over again I'm forced in buying a bigger kit that will cost me $3,000. The rear end leaks and the dealer says its natural. These two problems have been with me for 6 months after purchase. I will not buy another Dodge again. I think the transmission is going now and the steering pump is going too. The truck has 66,000 miles now. It looks nice but hp , brakes and over all performance sucks. If I was in the creative end working for Dodge I could improve their vehicles greatly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking lot, he heard a loud noise and was unable to move the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger side tie rod broke. The vehicle was towed home, where the tie rod and lower ball joints were replaced. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
Lower steering column shaft has a bushing that failed causing loss of steering. Truck veered into a ditch at 30mph. I called dealership to purchase this part and found out that it is on a backorder of over 100. Went to several auto recyclers and used parts stores and found that even they have the part backordered. This shows a huge safety issue if there are several backorders and the parts is a required to safely operate the vehicle. I am surprised that there are no active recalls on this item.
2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab was serviced on six separate occasions for clunking in the front end while going over bumps and during turns. Several parts were replaced while under warranty but dealership insisted that ball joints and cv joints were fine. They also stated that no other complaints had been filed and that there was not a service bulletin regarding this problem. The problem became apparent within the first 17,000 miles and continues to persist.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the tie rods separated. The steering was erratic and when the vehicle went over a bump in the road, the front end wandered all over the road. An independent mechanic determined the tie rod had separated and the threads were stripped. The mechanic replaced the left inner tie rod, left tie rod end outer and right tie rod end outer. The dealership has not been informed. Updated 06/27/06.
Steering complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Dodge Dakota, 7% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Dakota steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 Dodge Dakota, though it has 7 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 2001 Dodge Dakota steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 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.