My 93 Dodge Dakota won't start in park but I can dropped it down in neutral and it will start most of the time.

My dakota won't start in park but if I drop it in neutral it will start most of the
time. Sometimes it will all the sudden just die and I habe to drop it in neutral
and start it back up. And sometimes it will just cut off then kick back on and
go. I was to I'd  have to replace the whole steering column to fix it . A
mechanic told me this and I'm wondering if he is being honest with me or
just trying to get more money cause I'm a woman  Could someone help me
please.