Government investigating Dodge truck and SUV

Monday, October 31st 2005, 12:08 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ 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.

Messages seeking company comment were left with DaimlerChrysler officials.

NHTSA investigations sometimes lead to vehicle recalls.