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?
Dodge RAM 1500 steering lock-up problems
50 of the 12,420 owner complaints about the Dodge RAM 1500 describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 50
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical mileage
- 99,000
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 27Stalling 8Check engine light 4Fuel pump 3Ball joint 3No deployment 2Wipers 1Sudden acceleration 1
What owners say
2012 dodge ram. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure. The consumer stated the vehicle shut off while being driven. The consumer stated when the failure occurs the steering wheel locks.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 1500. While moving the vehicle from the driveway and attempting to make a turn, a loud crunch sound was heard from the front end of the vehicle and the steering seized. The contact could not turn the steering wheel and the inner tie rod pulled out of the outer tie rod without warning. The contact called burnworth-zollars chrysler dodge jeep ram at 574‑773‑7878 (located at 2450 n main st, nappanee, in 46550) and was informed that they were aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000. *tt
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized approximately twelve times. The vehicle was taken to john l sullivan dodge chrysler jeep ram (950 harter pkwy, yuba city, ca 95993), but they were unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 154,645.
While driving in town or on the freeway the truck will turn off completely. Radio stays on lights flicker but you loose all power and ability to turn or brake. This happened in town going 25 MPH and also on the freeway going 75 MPH. When it happens you must put the truck into neutral and restart the engine and pray it starts because you loose the ability to control the vehicular movements once the steering locks up. Once started it usually goes for awhile but the other day while on the freeway it happened 3 times. Once while accelerating up a hill surrounded by cars and semi trucks. This is a major concern because by loosing electrical function and power to a car/truck could cause a major accident. I am taking it in to get it fixed I hope soon but this is a manufactured defect in the ignition or key that could result in major injury or death.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 MPH approaching a traffic signal, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator flashed. Also, the brakes and power steering seized. The contact coasted the vehicle to the road shoulder. The contact waited a few seconds and, as soon as the vehicle stopped, shifted the gear lever to park and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently approximately 35 times during the course of two years. The contact called port jeff chrysler, jeep,dodge, ram in port jefferson station, new york and was advised to take the additional keys off of the key ring. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
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.
Driving make a turn and it just turns off and the steering locks ! Turn back on when in neutral are park. And start up and may not do it for a week and do it again.
The steering locks up!!!!!!!!!!! Many times, I just replaced the steering ump and fluid and still locks up. Air bag light is always on, mechanic cannot fix
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
- Risk
- A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with the federal safety agency, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.
Recall number 13V529000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
- Risk
- A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Recall number 13V528000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
- Risk
- This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 11V350000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, the electrical connector at the bottom of the steering column contains an under-sized terminal for the HVAC blower motor circuit. Localized heating from current flow with the blower speed set on high may cause the terminal contacts to relax and lose electrical contact. This can cause the HVAC blower motor to become inoperative.
- Risk
- This condition could cause impairment of visibility in inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a wiring harness overlay to correct this condition. Owner notification began april 15, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 03V078000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge RAM 1500 steering lock-up
Which Dodge RAM 1500 years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (8 complaints), 2005 (7 complaints) and 2004 (6 complaints).
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