The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 PICKUP TRUCK CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES (BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 1988 - JUNE 1990) AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SHELBY PACKAGE (BUILT OCTOBER 1988 - JUNE 1989). THE FRAME CAN CRACK AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT AND/OR THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS CAN FRACTURE.
The risk
THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD REINFORCEMENTS TO THE FRAME AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. IF THE FRAME IS ALREADY CRACKED, THE STEERING GEAR WELD NUTS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Dodge Dakota | 1989, 1990 |
Components: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Dakota | 1989 | 63 | 3 |
| Dodge Dakota | 1990 | 63 | 3 |
Other steering recalls in 2001
48 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the steering; DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION filed 203 campaigns in all.
| 01V389000 21 Dec 2001 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 01V140008 19 Dec 2001 | MOTOR COACH IND., INC. |
| 01V379000 13 Dec 2001 | EQUIPEMENT LABRIE LTEE |
| 01V353000 15 Nov 2001 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
| 01V343000 7 Nov 2001 | GLOBAL ELECTRIC MOTORCARS, LLC |
| 01V313000 4 Oct 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 01V314000 3 Oct 2001 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 01V304000 25 Sept 2001 | PREVOST CAR, INCORPORATED |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001