2011 Dodge RAM 1500: steering wheel locks up

Filed Dec 17, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

This issue has been experienced more than 5 times and only occurs while turning. While making both left and right hand turns, the steering wheel locks mid turn and the engine completely shuts off resulting in the inability to turn in any direction. The first time this happened, I almost went into a ditch and today as I turned to cross an intersection, I lost all steering control and the truck shut down mid turn in the middle of the intersection. This left the truck immobilized in the intersection and facing into oncoming traffic. Following each incident, I put the truck in park and restart it as if there was no issue. There are no warning lights that appear prior to any of the incidents that would indicate an issue and the instrument panel goes dark each time the issue occurs. This is going to get me and/or my family killed one of these days. I have researched this online and there are countless reports from other 2011 Ram owners experiencing the same exact issue. How has a safety recall not been issued for this?

Filed Oct 2, 2019 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 1500. While driving 40 MPH, the battery warning indicator illuminated, the vehicle lost electrical functionality, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after a minute and the electrical functions returned independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was also taken to lake elsinore chrysler dodge jeep ram (31400 auto center dr, lake elsinore, ca 92530, (951) 225-4749) and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v739000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 103,000 miles · OK

My vehicle is stalling out while driving on a highway, my brakes and steering wheel lock up and I just had to try to get it stopped and turned off. Also, my fuel pump remains running after I have turned my pickup off. I have gone through two brand new fuse boxes, and two fuel pumps to try to resolve the issue. The fuel pump relay is what continues to fry, which in turn fries my entire fuse box due to it being built into the actual module within the fuse box. I am $1600 in with the same exact problems each time- I have done a lot of research on the issue, and I came across multiple recall notices for a 5.7 l hemi, which is what I have in my pickup.

Filed Apr 15, 2016 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · HI

At first the vehicle was not starting immediately when turning the key, then I heard a buzzing sound coming from the fuel tank my husband had to disconnect the battery for it to stop. We took it in to the service dept at a dodge dealer and at the time they could not verify problem. I was told to continue to drive it and note when it happens again. I drove it a few more times and while driving the vehicle would die more frequently with the on hills, from a stop sign, and on straight aways, once the steering froze. There were few days of the vehicle not starting at all. A vehicle owner should not be afraid to drive their truck, which I am. A month later I took it back to the service dept and they heard the buzzing sound and then was able to verify that it was the tipm . I have noticed other owners have been experiencing the same problem. Here I have a vehicle, mind you which I just purchased less than 3 months ago and I am having these major issues. But the worst part is it will cost $1600.00 to repair and my extended warranty will not cover it. I think this problem should be addressed and a recall should be issued for this problem. No one should pay out of pocket for this especially if it could result in bodily harm or death. Someone seriously needs to look into this problem.

Filed May 1, 2015 · Steering · 211,000 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 1500. While reversing, the power steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Steering · 60,000 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.