# 1997 DODGE DAKOTA — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
> NHTSA complaint `298422` · 2001-06-15 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** DAKOTA
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
- **Speed:** 30 mph
## Narrative
THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE STEERING COLUMN TOTALLY FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO "FREE-WHEEL"  THE VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF CONTROL SIDESWIPING TWO PARKED CARS.  THIS IS A CRITICAL FAILURE;  IF IT OCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SEVERAL FATALITIES!!. *AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*