When turning the steering wheel in either direction it catches and something pops in the steering column. Dealer has to replace the steering column.
2001 Dodge RAM 2500 steering complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 69 of 69, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The steering in this truck has been horrible since the drive home from the dealership . It is practically impossible to keep this truck in your lane, it wanders and goes where it [xxx] well pleases. I've had the truck in the shop for the steering problem. They replaced steering linkage and the ball joints. This did not help one bit. With only 28,000 miles on this truck (95% freeway miles) the tires show significant wear. A service manager at one of the local dealerships said this is the largest complaint on this vehicle and there is nothing they can do to remedy the problem. This is a serious safety hazard. *ph information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Steering wanders all over the place. 2001 ram pickup 2500 with only 19,224 miles on it problem first surfaced around 15,000 miles. Dealer serviced at 17,207 miles as a licensed inspection mechanic, this vehicle will fail the state inspection sticker test when it is due. The amount of play at the steering wheel is currently at 5+ inches and getting worse. Inspection procedures require the play to be measured while observing the tire movement. ( example : turn the steering wheel to the left until visable movement of the tire is seen, mark a reference point on the steering wheel, now turn the steering wheel to the right untill visable movement of the tire , now measure the distance the mark on the steering wheel has traveled. Anything over a 2 1/2 " travel is cause for failing the state vehicle inspection sticker. Dealer has already replaced the track bar but this did not solve the problem. Am awaiting another appointment. My wife refuses to drive this vehicle because of the steering issues. The vehicle always needs to be " chased " left and right to keep it tracking straight ahead.it is my opinion that it is a problem with the steering box. The stae of maine fish and wildlife division forced a buyback of these same trucks because of similar problems with the steering. If they are not safe for our local government then they are sure not safe for the average consumer. Please look into this as it is a safety issue that can not be ignored. Thank you. Concerned citizen in maine.
At about 40,000 miles my truck started to wander much worse than it had in the past, it has wandered since new. I have had several close calls with other cars and obstacles because the steering seems to have a mind of it's own at times and will swerve and wander in different ways based on road condition, if I'm braking or accelerating. I took it into the dealer for diagnostics and they told me that my steering box and track bar needed to be replaced to the tune of $1400. This is on a $30k+ truck with 40k miles on it! I have contacted chrysler and complaned about this condition and they won't review it until I have it back at the dealer for another inspection then they will decide if they will offer any assistance or not. Based on research on the web this is a frequent problem with the dodge trucks.
The swayed at speeds of 60 MPH and higher. Which caused the front tires to wear excessively. The dealership indicated the problem was caused by bad steering apparatus.
Truck wanders randomaly-front tire wobbles.
While driving 70 MPH the steering wheel locked. *nlm....
I just experienced a very severe auto accident in my 2001 dodge ram, the truck was totaled and the jaws of life had to be used to extract me from the vehicle. I had contacted my dealer prior to this (several months ago) complaining of steering problems (wandering), and the dealer informed me,they could not fix the problem because he was receiving pressure from dodge to stop replacing steering components on these trucks. He also informed me, he has a number of documented cases of this problem--16 or so. There is also information that the state of maine forced dodge to replace 20 or 30 of these vehicles due to steering problems. I would appreciate it if you would begin an investigation of this issue as it appears that there are a significant number of complaints about the steering of this make/model of vehicle (check your own database). There is also discussion on several internet boards about forming a class action law suit over this. I was also informed today that dodge is denying that any problem exists with the steering on these vehicles and they are formally denying that the problem I experienced had anything to do with the steering problem that I had reported.
While driving 40 MPH the truck drifted from side to side making it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. The consumer was told by the technician at the dealership that "they all handle that way".
I have a 2001 dodge ram 2500 with the cummins diesel. Since the day I drove it off of the lot it has had steering problems. I have had it into the dealer seven times for the same problem and I still have a very dangerous vehicle. I also have numerous other problems with rattles and squeaks that have not been fixed. This truck is definitely a true lemon. The dealer has blamed the problem on tires, steering box, etc., but nothing has fixed the problem. The last statement from the dealer is that this steering problem is inherent to the dodge diesel engines and cannot be fixed. I almost had a head on collision about a month ago and have since parked my truck. I am now driving an older vehicle until I can get this resolved. I will not risk the lives of my family in this truck anymore. I paid $40,000 for a truck I cannot drive.
My new truck at 29000 mile began to wander sporadically. It feels as if the truck hits a patch of ice then regains its traction but no ice clear dry pavement it leaves me feeling as if something is going to break at the wrong time...when I have my loved ones in it...for everyone's safety please help...dodge says it drives like a dodge...its sure doesn't drive like it should, or like when it was new up to 29000miles. Its got ma problem and I know it...I feel it even if they don't. Ts
While backing out vehicle's power steering and brakes locked up making vehicle unable to drive. Dealer states the problem can not be duplicated, problem has been repaired 4 times. Please provide additional information. Ts
Vehicle is unsafe to drive. The steering wheel does not return to center after turning a corner and it wanders all over the road at all speeds. It tries to follow any change in road surface. Dealer has changed out the following parts with no help. ( gear box, lower steering shaft, all 4 tie rods, alignments) I have nearly sideswipped 3 times while driving on the interstate. The truck has been at the dealers 8 times and a total of 11 days. The dealer does not know what to try next.
Consumer states while driving the vehicle at any speed the vehicle would drift to the left and the right. Ts
While driving vehicle's steering wheel locked up. Dealer notified. Ts steering wheel wouldn't turn. Power steering pump replaced. Tire pressure was too low. Steering box failed and replaced. Windshield cracked and replaced. Vehicle won't shift at 40 MPH. Clunking noise from park to reverse. Found normal operation. Oil leak in front of motor. Overflow bottle too full. Vehicle wandered all over the road. Steering box adjusted. And low tire pressure was to blame. Console on seat doesn't close properly. Turbo whistles on acceleration. No problem found. Transmission surges at 10 to 45 MPH. No problem found. Power steering box leaked and replaced second time. Leak was found at vacuum pump seal caused leak at power steering reservoir. Steering drifts to right and wheel is off center. Center drag link adjusted second time. After set for a few days, vehicle won't move when it is placed in drive. Normal. No problem found. All accessories work with the keys out of ignition switch. Could not duplicate. Fluid leaking from truck. Replaced steering box for third time. Brakes pulsates when applied. Low fluid found due to steering leak.
Consumer called complaining about having problem with the pump of the steering wheel which is leaking, making innoperable to dirve the vehicle. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ph
When the vehicle was at a stand still the steering wheel locked up. The steering wheel had to be turned with force. *ts
I can feel the steering shaft clunking/chunking/moving within the steering column. This problem appeared within last 2 weeks. Additionally, the steering wheel is no longer centered but rotated about 2 inches left of center in order to maintain straight line of driving. I am convcerned about the safety of this vehicle, both to occupants and other motorists because the steering may fail. The power steering pump was replaced last year as it was leaking. I have seen on the internet that this vehicle has been involved in serious crashes due to steering abnormalities and daimlerchrysler has repurchased numbers of these units both from the state of main and individuals. I would hope that you would force dm to recall all 2001 2500 dodge rams to repair the steering defects or order them to buy them back.
Loss of steering control while driving forced vehicle over an embankment. Dealer notified, and replaced steering gear box. Prior to accident, consumer took car to dealer explaining that the vehicle pulled to the right. Dealership didn't check anything, which resulted in an accident. Insurance company repaired all the damage and replaced steering gear box. *jg
Right after purchasing this truck the dealer replaced the steering gear due to excessive center position play. The replacement felt better, but had the same problem after 200 to 300 miles. Upon returning to the dealer again, I was told that there is nothing wrong after they test drove the truck. The steering gear has a complete lack of preload torque and over-center torque and does not meet the specifications in the service manual. The dealer did not check this, but I did after my second visit. I have low confidence in the dealership's service department to resolve this issue.
When vehicle is at a standing position steering wheel is inoperable. Consumer contacted manufacturer 6 months prior to filing this complaint, and was told that vehicle needed a larger power steering pump. Consumer had this repair done, and is still experienceing same problem. Dealer / manufacturer have not been contacted. Please provide furthur details.
Improperly hardened shaft used in the steering component. Rockwell hardness not up to specs.
Vehicle wanders from left to right when driving at any speeds. Dealer cannot determine cause, and claims vehicle is within specifications.*ak consumer states it takes too much movement of the steering wheel to keept he vehicle on course.
When towing vehicle has jumped from side to side, changing lanes, was uncontrollable. Has been to dealer twice. Dealer replaced front end and power steering. Did not remedy problem. *ak it is hard to drive the vehicle straight but the cause was not still found.
Vehicle has a wandering problem. 1st trip to dealer for repairs they said they adjusted the steering gear box. That did not help. 2nd trip to the dealer they replaced the steering gear box. It not turns easier but still wanders and also has a growling sound from steering gear when turning. I will be visiting dealer again concerning this problem. I beleave this is not a small problem. It compromises my and my familys safety. I am not the only one with this problem please see http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//forum17/html/000822.html and you will see an addition 115+ people with the same complaint. I do hope to see a recall on this sterring wander/play/lack of responce problem. Thank you.
From the day the truck was driven off the lot, steering action was noticeably "loose". Excessive play in the steering is approximately 5" before the truck would start to turn in either direction. This creates wandering on the highway requiring consistant correction in steering. According to some other owners on internet message boards, the wandering problem is a known issue with possibly the gear box. It is severe enough to cause the truck to drift into the adjacent lane or shoulder.
Vehicle's steering wheel is off center, steering does not return to center, steering drifts right and left at all speeds, constantly have to correct steering wheel while driving vehicle. Steering gear box seams to be to sensitive as you have to constantly work at keeping the vehicle on your side of the road. It has the same symptons on all road surfaces. I had this vehicle back to dodge country on 4 separate occasions to have this problem resolved and they tell me everything is with-in specs.I would appreciate your help in investigating this matter as this vehicle is hard to drive this way. Thanks for your help, jim.
While driving about any speed vehicle wandered side by side and lost control.also, the steering box had been replaced twice for lack of steering.
The vehicle has excessive steering that tends to dart to the right and the left caused by steering gear box. Yh
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