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.
Difficult to get the gearshift out of park. A recall has been done on the ignition/parkshift interlock for an issue "the ignition/park shift interlock system may become inoperative.". the dealership service technician said that the part that has failed is not the same as the part that was replaced under the recall and wants over $2,000 for a new steering column or over $1,000 for a junkyard steering column. Chrysler customer assistance center agrees with the dealership but nobody can explain how the ignition/park shift interlock is not related to the ignition/park shift interlock.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram van B1500. The contact stated that while turning left at approximately 5 mph, the steering column separated from the frame. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and found that the steering column frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 184,000.
On my way to work, as usual, on a "slightly" bumpy part of the highway my steering wheel and front end started vibrating so violently that I almost lost control. I could barely hold the steering wheel; and could not steer at all; all I could do was start braking and come to a stop. I got out and checked my tires and front end and everything appeared normal. I continued to work at about 40 mph (I had gone to work early so no traffic). At 8:00 I called my local mechanic and took it to him to check out what happened. He check everything and nothing showed. The next day it happened again; then again 2 days later. About 2 weeks later I took pickup in for regular oil/fuel/air filter change service. He test drove with me along and I explained further what happened. He said he has seen it before with Dodge 2500 & 3500 and it has been labeled the "Dodge death wobble". I thank god I was not in a busy traffic area.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram. The contact stated while driving at any speeds the vehicle drifted from side to side. The contact stated the vehicle became difficult to control. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the steering box but the steering box did not remedy the failure. The steering box was replaced five times. The dealer stated that the steering box was defective. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint but they have not provided any assistance. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 270,676.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram van. The contact received a recall notice for the ignition. The part was repaired. He stated that the steering wheel no longer locked after the repair was made. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 138,300.
- Decatur, IL, USA
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Dt the return hose to the power steering got against the power steering pulley and rubbed a whole in the return hose and it was leaking fluid. Which made it have no power steering. Have contacted the dealer they ordered two hoses that were the wrong ones. This happened July 18, 2005.
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.
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.
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
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.
The steering has lots of play preventing the owner from keeping straight directional control. "consumer was told that the steering track bar", needs to be replaced due to the loss of steering.
Consumer states that while driving at 55 mph the consumer lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road causing damage to the front and rear of the vehicle and also bent the frame. Contacted dealer and the dealer has taken a look at the vehicle but yet they are not willing to do anything. Nlm
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ben Wheeler, TX, USA