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 2006 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The steering gets hard to turn like it is going to lock up. I spray it with wd40. This happens every few days. The electrical has been screwed up forever. I turn the left turn signal on the the right one blinks and vise versa. Some times they both blink back and forth. I have talked to the local Dodge garage and all they say is that there is no recall. I wasnt notified by Dodge about the driver side airbag either. Looked up the VIN number after seeing a report on tv. That was 2 months ago and the Dodge garage just fixed the air bag on July 21 after I called them for the second time to see if the part was in. Updated 10/07/15 updated 12/08/2017
While driving my 2006 Dodge Dakota p/u truck started noticing noise while making any type of turning of the steering wheel. I took to my mechanics who put in some steering fluid. He told me this should help and if problem does return the problem is most likely the steering shaft that will have to be worked on & will be expensive to fix. It was fine for a couple of weeks but now the problem has returned & I'm making plans to take it back to my mechanic to fix the steering shaft. After reading numerous problem other owners are also facing concerning the steering there should be a recall for this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. When the contact placed the key in the ignition and started the engine, the key would come out and the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use excessive strength to turn the vehicle and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rick hendricks Dodge (1468 savannah hwy, charleston, sc 29407, [phone]) and the mechanics were unsure if a new steering column and/or new ignition switch was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the subframe of the vehicle was bent. The contact was also informed that the front passenger side axle was damaged. While driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 139,584.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle made a loud noise and the drive shaft fractured and dropped without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed but no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 50,000. Updated 4/4/14
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to lose steering power and seized without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinon failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
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.
With the truck at only 53,000 miles I will have had to replace the whole front end. The cost to me is $1085.00. This is obviously from defective parts! Dodge already has a recall on the front end of their full size trucks. Should it also, include the dakotas? I have approached Chrysler about this & was denied compensation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for an inspection and it was discovered that the front driver side tie rod was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
NHTSA investigations
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 2006 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Dodge Dakota, 16% of the model year's 285 complaints. The component named most often is column (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Dodge Dakota steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2006 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 2006 Dodge Dakota steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.