My power steering fluid has been leaking over the last few months. It began as just a small spot in the driveway but is a significant puddle now. I plan to have it checked out soon. Based on the other posts I've seen here I really hope it's on the less expensive end, such as a bad hose or clamp, and not something serious like having the rack replaced.
I'm the original owner of my truck.(120000 ml) Just paid it off not to long ago with only a water pump replacement. Noticed power steering fluid on ground and tires wearing from the inside. Took my truck in to have it checked and here is what I got...rack and pinion, steering pump $1250, need to replace shocks $400, Need battery, cables, rear differential service, water pump and fan clutch, spark plugs, injector service all totaling $4000...not to mention dash is falling apart..passenger window works sometimes...you know on...and on..and on....got to admit...Dodge products don't seem to be very good..not built to last so they came make you pay for your truck all over again in repairs. Never again Dodge...when my wheels fall off ( which will probably be very soon) I'm done with you chumps....
Hello all. I recently bought my 2003 Dodge Ram for a reasonable amount of money. and since I have bought it I have had to put a new radiator in and now I have to put a new rack in. As far as I am concerned, Dodge can take their Dodge Ram and shove it where the sun don't shine. I have read all the complaints on thei forum and my truck has them all. Cracked dash and all. Some one needs to sue Dodge on these matters.
Should I keep this thing. Sounds like an issue that Dodge has had, and doesn't back it up. The most my truck has been off-road, was on some grass trying to kill a mole in our yard. I told the tech when I picked it up, "maybe I should beat the truck, then when something breaks, there will be a reason". Please someone, tell me, or convince me, why I should buy a dodge again...
- Ed K.,
Holmen, WI, US
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2003 Dodge Ram 4-Wheel drive. 69,000 miles of highway driving, no off roading, 4-wheel only in the snow. Noticed noise from power steering pump, checked and it was empty. Had dealer take a look hoping it was a loose hose clamp. Nope- It was steering rack. Cost was $940 including alignment. Of course nothing was covered. The big question is why did dodge design such a complicated piece of crap rack and pinion power steering unit? There has to be a way to just replace a gasket or o ring rather than the whole unit, but guess that is too simple (and cheap)
Wouldn't have expected this until at least 100,000 miles. I am really disappointed that they produce this kind of crap in the USA, and now are into our pockets for bail out money. I try and buy american made, but enough is enough.
Avoid the Dodge dealer at 7676 N 76th Street in Milwaukee WI AT ALL COSTS!!! I bought my Ram there new and noticed a leak in spring '06 at 35 months/31000 miles. Darrow Dodge replaced rack under warranty. OK there. Next spring it began leaking again and Darrow Dodge replaced rack AGAIN under their 12month/12ooo mile repair warranty. Now, Spring '08, 44000 miles, rack is leaking again. I couldn't believe it was the rack so I gave them a $50 'diagnosis fee' for them to put it on the lift and tell me the rack was leaking... AGAIN. Then they had the guts to ask for $925 to replace the rack and align the front end.
I balked and pushed the issue.. so the Customer Relations Manager said they would 'push it through as an extended warranty issue' with me paying a $100 deductible. COME ON, three racks in 44000 miles, with two by your dealership in 13000 miles? The Customer Relations manager said I should come in and get it fixed so its not a 'safety issue' and it will get worked out. The service manager wasn't as nice, telling me that was the best they could do . When I suggested he sit down with me and ..... I didn't get to finish my sentence when he cut me off and told me to pay the deductible or take it somewhere else.
Oh yeah, when the rack was replaced...twice.... there was grease and dirt from the person doing the work on the outside AND inside BOTH TIMES!!! I also have ATF4 all over my driveway. Why I give Darrow Dodge another chance is beyond me. I have contacted a lawyer... will keep all posted! - Kurt
Four thousand miles out of warranty (40,000) power steering line fails. I pay to have it repaired - Dealer cut off the factory crimped end, shoved the remaining hose back over the line and added a hardware store breeze clamp. This repair is what you would expect from some shade tree mechanic! There is no longer any doubt about why Chrysler is in trouble!
Here we are at 61,000 miles and the power steering line is blown again! Great news though, Chrysler has figured out that the original design of the power steering line was bad and they have redesigned it! I can now have the repair done for ONLY an additional $225.00 - I can assure you hell will freeze over before I pay that! What the dealer was really telling me is that I was a complete doofus for buying this Dodge in the first place and that I should have followed my instincts and bought the Toyota I was thinking of buying.
Let me join the list of people that had their power steering go out. At 80,000 miles I have replaced the rear differentials twice and now the power steering fluid pump. No More Dodge for me!
i know three people with the same model of truck and same year with the same problems - power steering leaks in same location, from hose clamp failure to keep a good seal. Also all three trucks have shifting problems and ball joint failure and that's just the people i know !!!! there has to be more people with the same problem. I do believe Dodge should take care of the problem!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My power steering fluid has been leaking over the last few months. It began as just a small spot in the driveway but is a significant puddle now. I plan to have it checked out soon. Based on the other posts I've seen here I really hope it's on the less expensive end, such as a bad hose or clamp, and not something serious like having the rack replaced.
- eutychus83, Forest, VA, US