Feds investigate Dodge Dakotas, DurangosNHTSA looking into possible loss in steering control in popular vehicles
Safety officials are investigating several reports of looseness in the steering shaft or separation bucause of loose or missing coupling bolts in nearly 500,000 vehicles, including the 2005 Dodge Dakotas and Durangos.
Updated: 5:02 p.m. ET Oct. 31, 2005WASHINGTON - The government is investigating nearly 500,000 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles and Dodge Dakota pickup trucks because of a possible loss in steering control.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday in a posting on its Web site that it has received several reports of looseness in the steering shaft or separation because of loose or missing coupling bolts in the vehicles.
The preliminary investigation will involve more than 467,000 vehicles, including the 2004-2005 models of the Durango and the 2005 model of the Dakota.
There have been no crashes or injuries linked to the issue, according to NHTSA.
Shawn Morgan, a DaimlerChrysler AG spokeswoman, said the automaker was cooperating with the investigation. She said DaimlerChrysler had not received any calls about the issue and that it surfaced in a small number of warranty claims.
NHTSA investigations sometimes lead to vehicle recalls.
The government is investigating nearly 500,000 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles and Dodge Dakota pickup trucks because of a possible loss in steering control.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday in a posting on its Web site that it has received several reports of looseness in the steering shaft or separation because of loose or missing coupling bolts in the vehicles.
The preliminary investigation will involve more than 467,000 vehicles, including the 2004-2005 models of the Durango and the 2005 model of the Dakota.
There have been no crashes or injuries linked to the issue, according to NHTSA.
Shawn Morgan, a DaimlerChrysler AG spokeswoman, said the automaker was cooperating with the investigation. She said DaimlerChrysler had not received any calls about the issue and that it surfaced in a small number of warranty claims.
NHTSA investigations sometimes lead to vehicle recalls.