When vehicle passes over dips or bumps in road with height or depth in excess of 1/2 inch at speeds above 20 miles per hour tires traverse violently side to side inhibiting driver control until speed is reduced to 5-10 miles per hour. Most front end components associated with steering and shock absorption have been replace by professional mechanics with no resolution to issue. Complete loss of control or collision due to "death wobble" or braking is highly possible especially at speeds above 30 miles per hour. Thousands of youtube videos have been posted portraying this exact issue.
2001 Dodge RAM 1500 steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 53, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When driving down the road at over 45 to 50 MPH, if I hit a bump or dip in the road, the front end/steering wheel shakes violently. I have to slow down and sometimes almost stop to get it to quit. My wife was driving behind me one day when it happened and she reported the tire/wheel looked like it was going o lay on its side. She was concerned the tie rod would break and cause an accident.
I own a 2001 dodge ram 1500 quad cab 4x4. When you hit a bump or pot hole at 50mph or faster the whole truck shakes violently so bad that you barely have control of the vehicle. It does not stop until you can slow the truck down..which is almost impossible. It happened to me 3 or 4 times on a major highway had to slam on the brakes to slow it down causing people around me to almost get in to accidents trying not to slam into me because in had no control of the truck. I have put in upper and lower ball joints,trac bar .steering column..nothing has fixed the problem and dodge wants to know nothing.someone is going to get hurt or killed if this nproblem isn't fixed by dodge. There are all kinds of complaints on the internet and also from mechanics and people I have talked to. Everyone who owns a dodge truck can tell you about the "death wobble". I have done a lot of research and have found out it could have something to do with front end alignment. Thats next for me to try.
From aug 08 to present at speeds of 40 MPH and up my 2001 dodge ram 1500 4x4 when hitting a bump the front end develops the "death wobble" have had to two different dodge dealers and have paid to have all ball joints, tie rod ends, steering box etc replaced and problem is still there now I start looking online and I see I am one of many out there with this problem. Something needs to be done to have dodge come up with an actual fix for this it is very dangerous and I have personally had this happen on the pa turnpike and numerous other roads and been very close to some deadly accidents with it. I have actually bought another vehicle and truck is sitting in my yard. The answer I get from dodge is trade it in if it is such a problem but I refuse to put another family in that position. So I sit here listening to my money in the yard waste away.
Inspected vehicle, found deep groove worn into cord level of sidewalls of both left-side tires. Found left front shock absorber support bright, shiny, polished. There is no, or misadjusted, stop so left front tire and shock support attempt to occupy same space during sharp left turns, gouging tire. Interference here existed for at least 10,000 miles given time of last tire rotation that put damaged tire on rear. Severe potential for blowout exists. Have seen other reports of similar problems through dodge ram 1500s. This is 6 cylinder model. Problem will immediately recur if tires replaced and turn sharp left parts are available for inspection as not yet replaced.
Front end death wobble on dodge ram 1500 4x4 2009 trucks. When hit a rough patch of freeway road at 70 MPH the front end shakes out of control until truck is slowed down to 45 MPH. Several repairs have been done including replacing the track bar, steering arms, ball joints, front end alignments, with no fix. The web has several problems listed but no fix. This must be fixed by dodge with a recall. Can you help!
2001 dodge quad cab pickup has failing wiring in steering column which makes truck die while driving . Which in turn there is no power brakes or steering and no electrical functions that makes the truck run . Dead on the road literally. Who knows at what speeds this problem may occur. Luckily, it happened to me while going slow and I was able to stop the truck. No known human deaths yet that I have heard of from this. If the problem is not fixed with wiring harness there will be deaths, I'm pretty sure due to this problem. I would like to do my best to keep my family and other families safe. This needs to be dealt with before someone does die unnecessarily in an accident that can be avoided by replacing the problem part of the pickup. *tr the bearing clutch, rear carrier bearing, axle seals, rotors, power steering pump, pinion carrier bearings were all replaced. Also, the right turn signal and headlights failed. The center seat console bolting system fell out of the truck, the plastic dashboard panel and housing around the instrument panel was cracked in four places. The gasket on the water pump was leaking. The gasket, water and timing chain were replaced. The clutch failed, due to the wrong year transmission being installed in the vehicle. A 2000 transmission was installed in the vehicle, instead of a 2001. Updated 10/15/14
Air bags did not deploy in two separate crashes one being head on at 35mph over $6000. In damage to truck 2 nd time same truck after being rolled because steering box gave out again 2nd time for that too. No air bags company claims crash was not enough to deploy truck was totaled and my husband in the hospital for a evening with head trauma.
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle presented on going problems with the steering. Prior to steering failures, the warning was uncontrollable steering and pulling on normal road conditions. The vehicle was taken to dealers twice for alignment readjustments. The problem persisted causing an accident when the vehicle hit a pedestrian. The vehicle was checked by independent mechanic who observed a grove near the tire. The nature of the failure gradually became worse. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and determined that the problem was caused by a manufacturer defect. The bolt in the front shock absorbers extend over without safety stop and cuts into the bead of the tire right above the rim on the inside of the tire. The manufacturer was contacted and refused to replace tires and repair the vehicle, which was still under warranty. The manufacturers would not acknowledge that the problems was caused by a defect. The contact expressed that other complaints were made about the suspension as well online. The insurance company bear the cost of repairs to the vehicle and had the vehicle repaired at an independent mechanics. The insurance company also paid for another manufacturer defect concerning the steering, which the manufacturer also refused to acknowledge or repair. The problem with the bolt cutting into the bead of the tire above the rim still persists.
Dt: 2001 dodge ram 1500 extended cab pick up truck. Consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision while driving 45 MPH. This happened about 1 month ago. Driver of other vehicle lost control of vehicle at 60 MPH on a wet surface. Upon impact, the air bags deployed and pushed the brakes down and at the time of impact, the consumer felt something hit him in the chest. Did not know what hit him, but once the consumer looked he discovered that the steering column bracket sheared off during the impact ,and the steering wheel went under the air bag hitting the consumer's lower right rib cage. The insurance inspector did not really pay much attention to the steering wheel bracket that sheared off during the crash. The consumer has photos of the crash, and a police report was taken. *ak *nm when the air bag deployed the consumers upper bridge in his mouth became loose and also the consumer experienced bruises on his upper chest. Updated 11/02/05
Dt the return hose to the power steering rubbed a whole in the hose and it leak fluid. Which caused the consumer to have no power steering. The consumer contacted the dealer and they offered to order a new hoses. T his happened on july 18, 2005.
2001 dodge 1500 quad cab I called the daimler chrysler in marshall texas and they told me they have seen a few of the dashboards. I explained it was crumbling. He told me it wouldn't hurt anything as the air bags are bolted in he also stated it was out of warranty. I called the main customer 800 service line that tx dealer gave to me and once again I was told it was out of warranty and they didn't care who I contacted after I talked to them as it was out of warranty. I even told them I would call the better business bureau and they still didn't care. The dashboard has cracks running across the entire board. Will it fall? Will it cause an accident? I have pictures that I will be sending when I hear from you. *jb
Steering gear was totally shot and had to be replaced at 38000 miles. I informed dealer that vehicle had always steered that way-overly responsive to the point of being dangerous. Slight movement of steering wheel caused sudden changes.
While driving at 40 MPH something under the 2001 dodge ram malfunctioned resulting in the consumer loosing braking and steering ability. The vehicle went off an embankment and hit a tree. *mr *sc the consumer believed the problem may have been a ball joint or tie rod end.
Fully turning the steering wheel right or left causes the tire(s) to rub on the shock hangar. This shreds rubber off the inside sidewalls of the tires. I ruined 2 tires and was lucky one or both did not blow out and cause an accident while I was driving. I have not had it fixed yet. I'm trying to find out if this has been reported before, so I can contact dodge.
The tie rod end and upper and lower ball joints were wearing out. *ak while driving consumer heard noises from front end of vehicle due to defective tie rod ends. Failed parts available for inspection.
While driving and turning at low speeds, the driver heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle and the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. The driver noticed that the tire was rubbing against the frame. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the steering gear box needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.
The mechanic told the consumer that the steering wheel shaft was cracked inside and needed replacement. Please fill in additional information. *jb the shifter in the steering column did not work.
The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the pittman arm was defective and replaced it. However, even after the replacement was done the inner sidewall of the tires were still rubbing against the frame of the vehicle. Owner also went to get a front end alignment and that too did not stop the tires from rubbing against the frame of the vehicle. It then was determined that the steering gear that was installled on the vehicle was incorrect and needed to be changed. The dealer contacted the manufacturer who said they will not cover the expense of replacement. Provide further details.
When brand new tires were installed, rotated and balanced the tire shop service man indicated that the steering gear cut into the tires which could result in a blow out. Dealership replaced the steering gear. However, failure recurred.
Was hit near head-on, left front. Steering column broke out completely and fell in drivers lap. Neither air bag deployed.
While turning steering block was cutting into the front tires, causing damage to the tires. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
Consumer stated that when s making a turn either left or right heard a funny noise. It sounded as if it was a broken bushing. Also, steering wheel will not tilt up or down . She took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that the steering wheel problem was not covered under the warranty. Consumer thought that warranty covered all parts of the vehicle because she purchased a bumper to bumper extended warranty. In addition, consumer believed that vehicle was under a recall. However, she had not yet received the recall notice from the manufacturer.
Due to erratic operation of the vehicle, the owner had the truck inspected by a technician. Upon inspecting the truck, the technician informed the consumer that the upper ball joints and steering column needed to be replaced. Please provide details.
My wife was driving our dodge pickup 4x4 home from her mother's house when the steering wheel and steering column lowered into her lap. *ak recall#1003334. Per diagnosis the u-bracket had broken where the bolts go through the instrument panel support also the steering shock was weak and loose.
Power steering failed when taking a corner-unable to control vehicle. Told by dealer later that the power steering shaft had broken. Was told by 2 different dealers that they have had numerous incidents of this situation with dodge vehicles.
Problems with tires rubbing and power steering gear box.*mr the steering gear box was made to turn too sharp, which caused the tires to rub on the frame.*ts
2001 dodge ram with less than 40,000 miles and the bearings and steering knuckle went out and the wheel came off. Did not wreck but only because my husband was driving and he is a professional driver. Had I been driving we could have had a serious wreck and injured or even killed all 6 of us in the vehicle.
Steering cluster needs to be replaced on 2001. Cost of replacement is 996.00.not covered by warranty. While the power train module is covered for 8 yrs, 80000. Mileage just over 40,000 no guages work ,and all warning lights come on.
Consumer states her husband was involved in an automobile accident today, and air bags on the driver side did not deploy. Not only did the air bag not deploy but the steering column and the part where the gauges are all dropped down to the floor and the driver injuried his legs. His chest was also injured in the accident. She states that at this point he was unable to control the truck because he had no steering wheel. Vehicle traveling at about 70 MPH.
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