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 2004 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Got in vehicle and started to drive when I noticed making a turn the steering wheel would not return to center. The steering was real heavy like the power steering was failing. Checked power steering fluid-it was okay,tire pressure was OK. As I continued to drive the steering got better. Since that incident the problem with the steering comes and goes. I went on the web and found out how many more 2004 Dodge Dakota truck owners are having the same problem. The steering problem seems to be in the intermediate shaft and/or the steering rack. There should be a recall for this safety problem or a class action. Also the 2004 Dakota ball joints went out at 60000 miles at my expense. There was a recall for 2003 Dakota ball joints being bad but not 2004. …
The steering is very hard to turn either left or right at most times. Feels as if the power steering has failed, but had it inspected by mechanic and says power steering pump and belts are fine. This difficulty in steering is also accompanied by a grinding type of noise in the steering column behind the steeing wheel. It has become more than just an occasional annoyance but rather a more permanent safety issue since my wife is no longer able to use the truck because of the difficulty with the steering. Please advise on what May be the cause and if the manufacturer is aware of similar problems with other Dakota pick ups and if they have issued a recall in the past to remedy the problem. I am hoping to have this resolved quickly since I fear it May only lead to some tragic or catastrophic result. Thank you
Issue with the steering, appeared to be a problem with the pump. Occurred at about 50K miles, 6 yrs. While driving the steering would get hard like the pump had failed, and then without warning, would return to the power assist and over steer due to the pressure I was already exerting. This took place at all speeds and under city and highway conditions. Very disconcerting. After about a week of this I took it to the dealer. They determined it was a failing fluid control valve in the power steering pump and replaced it. It was covered under the extended warranty I had purchased but would have cost over $1500.
Intermittent steering. Sometimes when turning left or right, steering will not return to center . Now this does not happen all the time. Sometimes it will happen then after driving awhile it will clear up. But this has been an ongoing problem. Checked power steering fluid,air pressure. Looked at other forums for this common problem. Consensus is the steering rack and/or the intermediate shaft. Went and had steering rack and lower shaft replaced and it cured the problem about 97 percent. Dodge should have a recall for safety reasons as this could involve fatalities .
I own a 2004 Dakota quad 4x4 with 78K miles on it. I bought the truck new and have taken care of it. Most of the miles are highway and it has not been driven off road. Since its no longer under warranty I got online to research a diy solution. I found that many of the problems I have had and are having are not just being experienced by myself but other Dakota owners. 1) steering issues the steering wheel becomes extremely hard to turn at times both going into and coming out of a turn. This started happening in feb 2009 with 71K on it. It is much more prevalent in cold weather. I was unable to drive the truck until the weather warmed up. (I have not had this fixed yet.) 2) brake issues 27K I had to have the front rotors and the rear drums turned and new pads and shoes installed and had the brake fluid changed. …
Began to experience heavy, difficult steering, especially when cold, and metallic clunking or grinding noises when turning tightly at low speeds accompanied by power steering pump whine on a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4.7l v8 4x4 quad cab. Steering has also become abnormally heavy at normal driving speeds with difficulty centering steering wheel and reduced power steering assist. Inspection of steering components revealed severe rust on steering intermediate shaft upper u joint caused by road salt and moisture, which resulted in steering difficulty and strain on power steering system. This condition is extremely dangerous due to the extra effort required to steer the vehicle. …
My 2004 Dodge Dakota began having steering issues last fall which became increasingly worse over the following weeks. The power steering seemed to have stopped working. When I made a turn it was stiff, then loose, then stiff again as you cranked the steering wheel. This would cause me to apply more pressure to turn the truck, then the steering wheel would suddenly loosen up, causing you to swerve. This caused me enough concern about my safety that I had a mechanic take a look. He first thought the problem was with the power steering fluid so he flushed out the system. Problem persisted. He then replaced the steering rack. Jerky/stiff steering continued to occur. After reading on a Dodge forum about this issue he tried the "temporary fix" of lubricating the lower u-joint on the intermediate rod and this seems to have returned the steering to a normal state. …
Noticed a problem with the power steering on my 2004 Dodge Dakota at the beginning of April. The steering is stiff and hard to turn. It requires assistance to bring the steering wheel back to center. It doesn't matter what speed you are going. It seems to get better after about 30 minutes of driving but after sitting for a while the problem is back. I bought the truck last year as a second vehicle and now regret doing so. I have had the truck to the dealership twice. 4/14/14 they replaced the lower ball joints, front rotors and power steering pump. That did not fix the problem. 4/24/14 they replaced the steering rack. $2,300.00 later the problem still exists. It is going back to the dealership 5/14/14 but I have my doubts the problem will be fixed after reading other complaints online. I have contacted Chrysler about this and have been assigned a case manager. …
Loud thunking noise comes from the transmission when attempting to stop. Rep from Chrysler stated this was coming from the gas tank . There is a vibration between 30-45 MPH coming from the drive train. Rep stated this was "normal".there is also a loud whirring noise coming from the fuel pump. Rep also states this is normal.bearing nosie is coming from the power steering pump. My 2004 Dodge Dakota sxt has been to the dealer 5 times and the dealer still cannot fix. The rep from Chrysler stated this is the "best" truck Dodge has ever built. I'd hate to see the worst! So far the dealer has replaced the ac condenser, complete rack & pinion steering system, complete drive shaft, rear differential housing, rear swaybar links, the brakes shudder when attempting to stop , left front brake squeal, front end needed aligning after rack & pinion steering replacement . …
My 2004 Dodge Dakota has steering problems. After taking it to a Dodge dealer and leaving it for two days they are unable to tell me what the problem is. The vehicle is very hard to steer. Fluid is not leaking, I have days that the steering is better than other days..but for the most part the steering is getting harder everyday. I feel that it is getting very unsafe to drive,yet I cannot get an answer to what is causing the problem. After searching the internet and this forum, I have found that there are many other 2004 Dakota owners with the same problem. Infact there was a recall on the 2000 to 2003 dakotas for the same problem. Yet the 2004 has the same steering design. I think the 2004 Dakota should have been included in that recall. Please help!! As I can't seem to get any answers to what is causing this steering problem.
Steering complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Dodge Dakota, 36% of the model year's 206 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Dakota steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2004 Dodge Dakota, though it has 1 recall 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 2004 Dodge Dakota steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
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.