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 2005 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Issue I am fighting now. At speeds between 55 - 75 intermittently the truck will begin to vibrate. If you take your foot off the gas it gets worse. If you then apply the brakes the steering wheel begins to shake almost violently, and the brake pedal pulses. If I slow down to about 30 MPH it stops and May happen again quickly or May not happen again for a while. I have replaced the rotors and calipers and tie rod ends and gotten an alignment. Still the issue exists. I have new Michelin tires. I have also already had to replace lower ball joints and front wheel bearings. I have replaced the rotors and calipers 3 times already on this truck. It has less than 13000 miles on it. No one seems to be able to figure out what the problem is. I will never, ever buy another Chrysler / Dodge product. This was my first and will be my last.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. While driving 45 MPH, an odor of power steering fluid emitted through the air vents. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed power steering fluid leaking from the bearing of the power steering pump. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact was a certified mechanic and diagnosed that the seal of the bearing and power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000. The VIN was not available.
I was traveling 55-60 MPH on the highway in a straight line with the cruise control engaged when I hit a dip in the road and the truck literally jumped off the highway. It completely left my lane and drove itself out of control across traffic and to the right into a ditch. It caused front end body damage (moderate) and scared me to death. I have since disconnected the cruise control from my truck. Now over the last 12 months the trucks front end shakes and rattles and is difficult to corner, acts if it will jump off the road. This front end of the Dakota should be recalled before it kills many people.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact was attempting to make a left turn and the vehicle continued moving forward. There was snow on the ground which also played a part in the vehicle sliding into an embankment. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the left tire rod came apart, but there was no physical damage that would indicate that. The dealer said the right side tie rod was damaged and needed to be replaced as well. The vehicle was being repaired at the time of the complaint. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 60000. Updated 01/11/2011
Loud popping noise when making either a left or right turn. After researching, this looks to be a defect in the steering column intermediate shaft & shaft bolts (parts associated). Investigation: pe05-056 was upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea06-004). Since you are aware of this mechanical defect. I would like an approved recall for parts & labor to be paid for by manufacturer to correct this defect that could cause major bodily harm to myself, passengers and other vehicles on the road. I bought the truck brand new with 9 miles in May 2005. It has 77,800 original miles.
I purchased a 2005 Dodge Dakota and 6 months after my purchase the vehicles idler was jumping from 1 to 3 and then vehicle dies. It continues to this. I have bringing my truck in to be serviced sense 11-2005 and 2 months ago I was told that there was no fix for the issue. I have been battling with Chrysler for the lemon law, and they state my vehicle has been repaired. To this date no repair, vehicle died in the middle of intersection and was re-ended.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. While driving at low speeds down a mountain, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle while braking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver side tie rod and hub assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,105.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, she lost control of the vehicle as it spun in circles. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a ditch. There were no inuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,140.
To whom it May concern: I was referred to you by www.carcomplaints.com.they felt that what I had to say May be safety related. I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota 4x4. I bought this truck new. Starting in May of 2010 I started to hear a clunking noise in the front, or maybe rear end, only when I turn left or right.I have been to 3 garages and the last one being a dealership. I have replaced both lower ball joints, both front stab links, both tie rods,both rear stab links, and as recent as this sept.,both leaf springs. The truck still has the same noise and I'm out 2000.00. The dealer doesn't even know what's wrong. Now, all this happened before the truck turned 50,000. Miles. I know it's out of warranty. I also,know now, the manufacturer's have studies on how long a vehicle is to last in order for the consumer to give it a passing grade as to by it again. …
I am a tall driver standing 6'9" even with the seat all the way down and all the way back. After inheriting the 2005 Dodge Dakota sxt quad cab pickup truck from my step father that pasted away in October of 2013. I was driving along and my right knee hit the key while in the on position knocking into the auxiliary position turning the truck almost completely off. All the check engine lights came on the ac shut off turned over to heat and started getting very hot inside the truck. We when to the local Dodge dealer they hooked up of a machine that gave them a code that said our computer was out of factory spec's. …
NHTSA investigations
Steering wheel and shaft bolts
On October 26, 2005 odi opened pe05-056 to investigate allegations of loose or missing steering wheel or steering shaft coupling bolts in model year (my) 2004 and 2005 Dodge durango sport utility vehicles and my 2005 Dodge dakota pickup trucks manufactured by daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc).during pe05-056 odi identified 3 owner complaints to odi or dcc, 21 field reports to dcc and 142 warranty claims related to…
Steering wheel and steering shaft bolts
On March 9, 2006 odi upgraded preliminatry evaluation pe05-056 to engineerning analysis ea06-004 to investigate allegations of loose or missing steering shaft coupling bolts and steering column retaining bolts in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 Dodge durango sport utility vehicles and my 2005 through 2006 Dodge dakota pickup trucks.either condition could result in a loss of steering control.although odi identified…
Steering complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Dodge Dakota, 10% of the model year's 470 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Dakota steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2005 Dodge Dakota, though it has 6 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 2005 Dodge Dakota steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 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.