NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA06004 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 some quality issues in the manufacturing processes for the Dakota and durango vehicles, the data do not indicate that a safety defect trend is present in either population.the failure rates are low for each condition and trend analyses indicate that problems with the subject bolts were isolated to a few units affected by assembly error that were detected either pre-sale or occurred early in vehicle service.further use of Agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted.the Agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the sugject vehicles and will take furhter action inthe the future if warranted.for more information see the attached closing report.

Steering:Column**

** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
2006 DODGE DAKOTA -- On October 26, 2005, ODI opened a preliminary evaluation (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 the alleged defect conditions. The reports and claims included 8 incidents of either steering wheel separation or steering shaft decoupling while driving due to loose or missing bolts. One of the failures resulted in a crash. The population and failure report data given in this resume are limited to the MY 2004-2005 Dodge durango and MY 2005 Dodge Dakota vehicles that were the subject of PE05-056. DCC has indicated that the manufacturing process did not change for the MY 2006 vehicles, so those vehicles have been added to the scope of this engineering analysis. PE05-056 has been upgraded to an engineering analysis to continue to investigate the scope, frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. Investigation was initiated on March 09 2006. Closed on March 08 2007. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA06004 »