Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2020 | 3 | 5% | 48,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 4% | 16,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 5% | 21,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% | 68,000 miles |
| 2013 | 24 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2012 | 42 | 7% | 87,000 miles |
| 2011 | 27 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 6% | 40,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 8% | 41,000 miles |
| 2007 | 16 | 6% | 59,000 miles |
| 2006 | 23 | 3% | 73,000 miles |
| 2005 | 70 | 4% | 89,000 miles |
| 2004 | 31 | 3% | 84,000 miles |
| 2003 | 20 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2002 | 28 | 7% | 89,000 miles |
| 2001 | 48 | 7% | 55,000 miles |
| 2000 | 83 | 8% | 63,000 miles |
| 1999 | 170 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 1998 | 90 | 9% | 65,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to pull to the left, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact felt a vibration in the steering wheel, and the vehicle pulling to the left or the right while driving downhill or on the highway. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with wheel alignment and steering wheel failure. The wheels were aligned, and the steering wheel was adjusted; however, the failure recurred two more times. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,854.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 63 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer stated that no failure was found. The dealer suggested that the power steering control module software be updated. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer approved the repair of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 1,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked, and the contact depressed the brake pedal but was unable to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V154000 (STEERING). The failure mileage was 48,000.
While driving a brand new (170 miles) vehicle at 35 MPH on a busy city street the electric power steering suddenly stopped working. A message "power steering unavailable" popped up and the car was very difficult to steer. I had the car towed to the dealer who said it May have been caused by a glitch in the computer. This is a very dangerous situation because without the electric boost it's very hard to steer the car. If this had happened in a turn or with a driver that wasn't strong there would likely be an accident. There also didn't seem to be a clear explanation of what caused the electric steering rack to fail in such a new vehicle.
While driving 70 mph on the highway, the car gave a light that stated, "power steering unavailable" and in fact, I had no power steering. I had to really muscle the car to get it to turn at all. If this had happened while I was turning a corner, it could have been the cause of an accident. Obviously driving a car with no power steering is dangerous in and of itself, not to mention it happening out of the blue while driving at highway speeds. There was no prior warning to the light coming on. This is a car with just over 40k miles on it and is a used Dodge certified car. We had to wait several weeks for an appointment at our local Dodge dealership at which time they confirmed the steering rack is defective. The part was at least 60 days out, indicating to me that this is an issue with other vehicles as well. …
Goodyear examined my Durango on October 4th 2023. Examination results reported a flawed electromechanical steering gearbox. Price to repair including parts, upwards of 4,000 dollars. I have a prepaid warranty covering repairs and parts. Parts availability from the Chrysler corporation are the issue. The dealership Orange Park Chrysler Jeep Dodge was informed AND examined the vehicle themselves. They related to me the "part isn't available". I returned to the Goodyear dealership. Their response is the same. Neither factory nor aftermarket steering gearbox are available for purchase. Therein lies the reason for this report from me. I've written emails to Chrysler (stellantis) customer service 3 times. The 3rd time being today October 16th. They responded once shortly after the October 4th email. Since then quiet as a church mouse. …
While on my way to an appointment it was raining and I noticed my car wasn't handling the water on the road like it usually did. It was pulling to one side or jumping around when it hit shallow water. I turned the traction control off and then back on and that seemed to make a difference. That night I got on NHTSA and searched for recalls with my VIN number. While other 2018 Durango's had recalls on the ESP it said mine wasn't one on them. About a week later it had been storming all night and I was on my way to work the next morning when I come around a curve to deep flowing water covering the road for approx. 30 yards before a small break and then a thin flowing of water for approx. 20 feet which I didn't see because it was still raining. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. While operating the vehicle and making a right turn, the vehicle would not immediately turn and would continue to drive straight. The vehicle was taken to hendrick Dodge (81 mackenan dr, cary, nc) where the steering was recalibrated, but the failure continued intermittently. Also, while operating the vehicle, the voltage meter continuously fluctuated. The alternator, battery, and battery terminals were replaced, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000. The VIN was unknown.
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Rack and pinion
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango and 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The steering gear rack bar may have been insufficiently hardened during manufacturing, possibly allowing it to bind within the steering rack, and resulting in difficulty steering or a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 12, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-852-1403.
Steering
On certain vehicles, the right front steering knuckle May have been improperly manufactured. Because of a broken cooling line, parts cast in tool cavity #63 on July 18 and July 19, 2006, May have a cold shut condition and could fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the recalled vehicles to identify the defective parts and replace if they are within that lot. The recall began on November 8, 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Steering wheel/shaft spline attachment
This pe was opened based on odi's receipt of one complaint of steering wheel separation on the subject vehicles.allegedly (that is, according to the repairing facility's service manager) the hub nut was never installed on the shaft spline.although the driver lost control of the vehicle, he/she was able to stop without impacting anything.based on our investigation and the manufacturer's response, odi is closing this…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Durango years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (170), 1998 (90), 2000 (83), 2005 (70) and 2001 (48) model years. Steering complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Dodge Durango steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 22V-154 (rack and pinion, Mar 14, 2022); 06V-386 (steering, Oct 11, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Durango steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (159 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (23).
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.