This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Dodge Ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. The consumer stated he was constantly overcorrecting the vehicle left and right. The consumer had many alignments done but to no avail. It was discovered that all the ball joints needed to be replaced due to rust and no lubrication, the steering shaft and trac bar was replaced and the steering box was adjusted. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic and in his opinion alternate valve located in the steering was not performing as it should, when the mechanic removed the valve it extremely burnt from overheating. The consumer stated he no longer has any problems steering the vehicle.
Dodge Ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. The consumer stated the vehicle would steer in the direction of oncoming traffic in certain situations when the brakes were applied.
Dodge Ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. The consumer stated while taking a 2 mile drive, he notice he had to constantly overcorrect to the left and then the right. The dealer replaced several componets on the vehicle to try and resolve the steering problem, the replaced all the ball joints which were severely rusted and had no grease, the steering shaft was replaced, the trac bar was replaced due to severe movement. It was finally determined that a alternate valve in the steering box was not performing as it was designed to do, when the mechanic took the valve out it was burned from overheating.
The steering wheel was hard to turn while driving at a low speed. The vehicle wandered across the road. The vehicle has been to the dealer on three separate occasions. The dealer replaced the steering box on two separate occasions and made some other repairs, however the problem continued. The consumer stated the brakes would grab, however the mechanic informed the consumer that was the way ABS worked.
- Everett, WA, USA
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The consumer was unable to steer the steering wheel in the right direction. This has almost caused several accidents. Another Ram owner indicated that they were having the same problem which was due to a faulty factory steering box gear, that was replaced. This truck is owned by Montana dept, . of fish wild life and park. The other truck in this fleet are having the same failure.
Consumer complained about steering. Vehicle had a 5 1/2 inch slack/play in the steering when driving at high speed of 50 mph or more. Consumer took vehicle to a repair shop, and had the track bar replaced, but the problem recurred.
While driving, the vehicle wandered. Other issues related to the steering problem was the track bar, power steering/gear assembly, and the clock spring.
Ball joints worn out at 49,000 miles 3 mechanics say this is typical of these Dodge trucks. If this a recuring problem, shouldn't Dodge be doing somthing on this
Steering. I purchased a used 1998 Dodge 2500 with the diesel engine. The steering was very loose, with almost 1/4 turn free play in the steering wheel. The dealer said the track bar was worn out, so I replaced it but did not see any improvement. The dealer then told me there was a problem with the steering box during that year and a different type was used in 1999 due to continuous complaints about the free play in the steering. Because I felt driving a vehicle with this much free play was dangerous and I was told the proble was corrected, I traded for a new truck of the same type, buying a 2001. When new, there was not much free play. At about 20,000 miles, I had about 1/8 turn of free play in the steering wheel. This free play caused me to run out of the road on the right side after passing another vehicle then almost hit another vehicle when I came back into the road and went into the left lane. I have taken this vehicle to 2 different Dodge dealers and been told there is no problem with the steering, that the free play is normal.
While driving 50-60 mph, the consumer noticed the steering had excessive "play." The truck began to sway across the road. The truck was serviced, and the steering gear box/tie rod and tracking bar were replaced. The mechanic found the power steering gear box sloppy, the tie rod end/pitman arm loose and the trac bar worn.
While driving the steering bolt became loose. The steering wheel jumped around which made it difficult for the driver to steer the vehicle. Dealer notified.
The steering in this truck has been horrible since the drive home from the dealership. It is practically impossible to keep this truck in your lane, it wanders and goes where it [xxx] well pleases. I've had the truck in the shop for the steering problem. They replaced steering linkage and the ball joints. This did not help one bit. With only 28,000 miles on this truck (95% freeway miles) the tires show significant wear. A service manager at one of the local dealerships said this is the largest complaint on this vehicle and there is nothing they can do to remedy the problem. This is a serious safety hazard. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering wanders all over the place. 2001 Ram pickup 2500 with only 19,224 miles on it problem first surfaced around 15,000 miles. Dealer serviced at 17,207 miles as a licensed inspection mechanic, this vehicle will fail the state inspection sticker test when it is due. The amount of play at the steering wheel is currently at 5+ inches and getting worse. Inspection procedures require the play to be measured while observing the tire movement. ( example : turn the steering wheel to the left until visable movement of the tire is seen, mark a reference point on the steering wheel, now turn the steering wheel to the right untill visable movement of the tire, now measure the distance the mark on the steering wheel has traveled. Anything over a 2 1/2 " travel is cause for failing the state vehicle inspection sticker. Dealer has already replaced the track bar but this did not solve the problem. Am awaiting another appointment. My wife refuses to drive this vehicle because of the steering issues. The vehicle always needs to be " chased " left and right to keep it tracking straight ahead.it is my opinion that it is a problem with the steering box. The stae of Maine fish and wildlife division forced a buyback of these same trucks because of similar problems with the steering. If they are not safe for our local government then they are sure not safe for the average consumer. Please look into this as it is a safety issue that can not be ignored. Thank you. Concerned citizen in Maine.
At about 40,000 miles my truck started to wander much worse than it had in the past, it has wandered since new. I have had several close calls with other cars and obstacles because the steering seems to have a mind of it's own at times and will swerve and wander in different ways based on road condition, if I'm braking or accelerating. I took it into the dealer for diagnostics and they told me that my steering box and track bar needed to be replaced to the tune of $1400. This is on a $30K+ truck with 40K miles on it! I have contacted Chrysler and complaned about this condition and they won't review it until I have it back at the dealer for another inspection then they will decide if they will offer any assistance or not. Based on research on the web this is a frequent problem with the Dodge trucks.
The swayed at speeds of 60 mph and higher. Which caused the front tires to wear excessively. The dealership indicated the problem was caused by bad steering apparatus.
I just experienced a very severe auto accident in my 2001 Dodge Ram, the truck was totaled and the jaws of life had to be used to extract me from the vehicle. I had contacted my dealer prior to this (several months ago) complaining of steering problems (wandering), and the dealer informed me, they could not fix the problem because he was receiving pressure from Dodge to stop replacing steering components on these trucks. He also informed me, he has a number of documented cases of this problem--16 or so. There is also information that the state of Maine forced Dodge to replace 20 or 30 of these vehicles due to steering problems. I would appreciate it if you would begin an investigation of this issue as it appears that there are a significant number of complaints about the steering of this make/model of vehicle (check your own database). There is also discussion on several internet boards about forming a class action law suit over this. I was also informed today that Dodge is denying that any problem exists with the steering on these vehicles and they are formally denying that the problem I experienced had anything to do with the steering problem that I had reported.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Washington, DC, USA