2000 Dodge RAM 2500: loss of power steering

Filed Dec 19, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 68,000 miles · VA

Alert: dodge ram 2500 diesel life threatening problem --- on july 11, 2014, while driving on u.s. Route 77 in north carolina I passed an 18 wheeler at 70 MPH and pulled back into the right lane in front of the truck when, without any warning whatsoever, the engine just stopped. The truck I had just passed nearly jackknifed as the trucker applied his brakes in a panic maneuver to avoid rolling over me from behind. Luckily, he maintained control, got around me, and continued on his way. I coasted to the side of the road and tried to restart the engine but, although it would crank, it would not start. I was forced to wait and then, after a time, tried starting it again. It did. I slowly drove to the next exit but not without incident. After going only a few hundred yards the truck bucked, hesitated and stopped again. Again, I waited. This scenario repeated itself until I got to safety. Coincident with the engine stopping the power steering failed, the ABS light came on, it appeared the airbag system was inoperative and all the gauges in the instrument cluster stopped working. Eventually, my truck was towed to lake norman dodge. There, the very helpful assistant service manager, terry, evaluated the problem saying either the powertrain control module or the instrument cluster was the problem but his experience LED him to try replacing the computer first. Replacing the PCM fixed the problem. The instrument cluster resumed working. At least temporarily. On september 16 2014, on a local trip, the truck just stopped again. I was stranded on a state road. I used my prior experience with waiting, starting, driving a little way and having the engine stop again to limp into a local repair shop. Eventually, they towed it to shelor dodge in christiansburg, va. Where it currently remains, ... Inoperable.

Filed Nov 18, 2009 · Steering · 59,038 miles · NM

Loss of steering control.

Filed Jul 7, 2009 · Steering · 50,000 miles · NM

Loss of steering control.

Filed May 26, 2006 · Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

Unexpected engine stall on highway while pulling trailer. Lead to loss of power steering, brakes, etc. Narrowly avoided major accident on highway. Found out later there is a seriously high failure rate of diesel injection pumps due to poor design.

Filed May 10, 2004 · Steering · 128,000 miles · WA

Ltr request status of 3/16/2004 ltr on behalf of jim osmundson (wa) re steering column defective on his 2000 dodge ram 2500 truck, ref es04-003096 /s/ brenner 4/21/2004.*mr while driving the steering box failed which caused loss of power steering. No injuries or accident occured as a resul of this failure. The dealer replaced the steering box, track bar and tie rod ends. The consumer is seeking reimbursement for the steering box and track bar.

Filed Feb 10, 2004 · Steering · 128,000 miles · WA

In reference to a complaint (10053275) concerning failure of steering box, which LED to the loss of power steering capabilities on the vehicle. *la

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Steering · 128,000 miles · WA

October 28, 2003 dodge customer assistance center p.o. Box 21-8004 auburn hills, mi 48321-8004 dear mr. Or ms.: I would like to acquaint your staff with the problem my 2000 dodge ram 2500 series with 4wd experienced last month at 128,000 miles. The vehicles VIN is:[xxx]. The problem concerns an early steering box failure which meant loss of the power steering assist disappeared. There was no damage to vehicle or person and since I was on a quiet rural highway it was a matter of routine to bring the truck to a stop and figure out what had happened. Your dodge dealer in vancouver, wa declined to help so the truck went to my tire and suspension dealer of long standing in camas, wa and they replaced the steering box, the track bar and the tie rod ends. Im not concerned about the tie rod parts as those are wear items. I do believe that dodge should help with my expense of the gear box and track bar replacement especially since I purchased the extended warranty when the vehicle was new even though it has run out. Obviously gear box failure should not occur at such a low mileage. *cb *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Steering · WI

While driving the vehicle's power steering failed without warning. Please provide any additional information.

Filed Apr 11, 2000 · Brakes, Steering · OK

Power brakes and power steering failed and dumped fluid onto ground. Dealer was unable to duplicate the defect. Consumer has filed # 7045909 with chrysler. Manufacturer said that it was probably the vacuum system that this vehicle does not use on the 4 wheel anti-lock brakes. *ak.et.