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.
I have a 2001 Dodge 2500 cummins diesel 4X4 that I take immaculate care of, and have the service records to prove it. I backed out of my parking space this week when all of a sudden I realize I have no steering. I looked under my truck at the steering linkage to see what was going on and the steering gear box had broken off the frame. The bolts that hold it on had both sheered off and cracked the mounting bracket on the gear box as well. My family and I are lucky to be alive. I contacted lithia motors and told them my situation and she insisted that I have it towed to them before any warranty would be considered. I towed it out there. I showed the service manager becky brinka one of the bolts that sheered off (the other is still stuck in the frame). When I showed her the bolt, she said she would need the bolt for her diagnosis. I told her that she could look at it but I was going to keep the bolt in my possession. She immediately became rude and unhelpful. The mechanic went out to look at my truck and came back in with the diagnosis that the bolts had sheered off. The service manager then contacted the district manager about the situation. She called me back to inform me that it was my fault. I must not service the vehicle very well. At this time I pointed out that she has my service records on file for the last 4 years and to show me where I had missed anything. She then tells me that the district manager said that I would have heard a clunking noise for a long time before this happened. So, I'm towing out of their facility. I'll have someone else fix it. Meanwhile Dodge gets away with murder and isn't held responsible for their safety issues. How can someone like me fight Dodge" I can't get anywhere at their customer service phone#, and they are not going to give me the phone# of the district manager. What do you have to do? take them to court" I don't have time for that and they know this. They figure I'll just go away.
While driving at any speed the vehicle wandered on it's own. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and took vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the gear box needed replacement.
Constant wandering of truck, constant correcting play in steering. I cannot turn steering wheel at a standstill, steering gear box and pump have been replaced under warranty. Nothing fixed the problem. The tires have been checked and are not a concern. The dealer says that is the way they are and nothing else can be done. This is a problem and needs to be addressed.
The steering wheel turned halfway around while driving, upon inspection, consumer noticed the 2 bolts on the steering box were loose and 1 bolt had completely broken.
While driving, consumer turned the steering wheel but tires did not turn. Thus, resulting in a accident. Dealer notified. Please provide additional information.
- Morgan, GA, USA
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While driving on highway vehicle sways back and forth and hard to steer. Dealer contacted. The dealer replaced steering box and did an alignment three times, but the problem was not corrected.
Loss of steering control while driving forced vehicle over an embankment. Dealer notified, and replaced steering gear box. Prior to accident, consumer took car to dealer explaining that the vehicle pulled to the right. Dealership didn't check anything, which resulted in an accident. Insurance company repaired all the damage and replaced steering gear box.
Consumer heard a rattling noise under front of vehicle, while inspecting vehicle he noticed the lower control arm was rubbing on the driver side tire when turning steering wheel sharp to the left, dealer grinded off part of control arm, but it was still rubbing on the tire, dealer stated there was no remedy. Consumer also stated that the gear box was serviced.
Right after purchasing this truck the dealer replaced the steering gear due to excessive center position play. The replacement felt better, but had the same problem after 200 to 300 miles. Upon returning to the dealer again, I was told that there is nothing wrong after they test drove the truck. The steering gear has a complete lack of preload torque and over-center torque and does not meet the specifications in the service manual. The dealer did not check this, but I did after my second visit. I have low confidence in the dealership's service department to resolve this issue.
Vehicle has a wandering problem. 1st trip to dealer for repairs they said they adjusted the steering gear box. That did not help. 2nd trip to the dealer they replaced the steering gear box. It not turns easier but still wanders and also has a growling sound from steering gear when turning. I will be visiting dealer again concerning this problem. I beleave this is not a small problem. It compromises my and my familys safety. I am not the only one with this problem please see www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//forum17/html/000822.html and you will see an addition 115+ people with the same complaint. I do hope to see a recall on this sterring wander/play/lack of responce problem. Thank you.
From the day the truck was driven off the lot, steering action was noticeably "loose". excessive play in the steering is approximately 5" before the truck would start to turn in either direction. This creates wandering on the highway requiring consistant correction in steering. According to some other owners on internet message boards, the wandering problem is a known issue with possibly the gear box. It is severe enough to cause the truck to drift into the adjacent lane or shoulder.
Vehicle's steering wheel is off center, steering does not return to center, steering drifts right and left at all speeds, constantly have to correct steering wheel while driving vehicle. Steering gear box seams to be to sensitive as you have to constantly work at keeping the vehicle on your side of the road. It has the same symptons on all road surfaces. I had this vehicle back to Dodge country on 4 separate occasions to have this problem resolved and they tell me everything is with-in specs.I would appreciate your help in investigating this matter as this vehicle is hard to drive this way. Thanks for your help, jim.
While vehicle was being driven it would not go straight, but continously pulled to either right or left which has resulted in a collision. Dealer replaced steering box three times, and track bar, and steering pump, which did not corrected problem. Dealer replaced steering box 2 times, power steering was lost when brakes were applied.
I have a continual problem with the steering on my new truck. It wanders going down the road at hiway speeds. You have to continue to recompensate for the drift in the steering. It is unsafe and according to other owners of the same model Dodge truck, they are also having problems with their steering. There are alot of posts on the turbo diesel register website on the web of others with the same problems. All Dodge will do is change the steering box and it does not help. We need some help getting Dodge to correct this problem. The dealer can only do what Dodge says to do, and we owners of these new thirty thousand dollar trucks are suffering with a poor driving vehicle that is unsafe to drive. Please try to help us as Dodge is not coming thru.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Missoula, MT, USA