I was poking around under the hood of my CREW today and noticed that the power steering reservoir is completely empty. (And Clean. Doesn't look like it ever had anything in it.) Steering works fine and makes no noise.

Just wanted to confirm that I should see fluid in here, and should add some fluid ????? I've never seen any leaks under the vehicle so not sure where the fluid would have gone.

Thoughts?

What is the recommended fluid for the V6?

 

Not to be funny: Are you sure it was the PS reservoir? Located on the driver's side near the windshield under the plastic cover?

All Durangos (even those with Electric assist) use hydraulic steering systems and require steering fluid.

If you have no fluid, you have to have a leak and your PS pump will burn up without fluid.


To answer your other question: Mopar Power Steering fluid is recommended, but ATF+4 transmission fluid is also acceptable.

 

Yes, I'm sure. Drivers side... The cap is labeled as such.

 

I had an oil change while down in Florida at our winter place, the mechanic said that I needed power steering fluid as it was very low. I went to the dealer, got a quart and filled the reservoir to what I thought was the fill line. When we got home, I took it into the dealer for service, and the mechanic told me that I had way overfilled. He cleaned it and dropped it to almost empty in the reservoir. I keep checking and it has not moved since, and I've put about 5,000 miles on it.

Ed

 

After reading this post I thought I check my PS reservoir. Strangely mine too was low, despite no sign of a leak. The fluid appeared to be approx. at least an inch below the MIN mark. The 'D' currently has a little over 40,000 miles on it. I then elected to purchase the Mopar $10 special bottle of Elec-Hydro fluid and top it off. In the meantime, Ill keep an eye on it more closely to see if the fluid level changes.

 

I just came here looking for this, I had the dealer check it out for two days and couldn't find out why it was half empty around 15,000 miles.

I am at 28,000 and it is almost empty again. Mine does make noise. Can't see where it is leaking anywhere, so it has me worried now.

 

The simplest solution is to buy a bottle of fluid and top it up every few months. That is not a solution for what was sold to me as a high quality vehicle, but the cost to keep looking for what is a minor leak, or some other reason for it going down, is just not worth it, and Chrysler/Dodge won't warranty it.

 

It's funny how multiple people have this problem and people think we can't check a reservoir. This sounds like a class action lawsuit. I too have this problem. Only thing I bought it used. Thought I was buying a reliable truck. I use it for my kids sports and to get to work. I don't have a plan "B" if it doesn't work.

 

Having this issue on a ‘14 rallye. I have had it at the dealership, they said it was empty (that was at least 14 months ago) and today she’s still empty. I have never refilled it. Zero symptoms, drives fine, sounds fine.

 

(2020) FOLLOW-UP POST#5 - Over a month ago the dealership had to replace my Rack& Pinion assembly as it was found to be leaking. I really never noticed any fluid on the ground nor any steering issues but only the fluid level in the reservoir was down every now and then.