Dt*: the contact stated that the ball joints are worn therefore the vehicle cannot pass the state inspection. The dealer alerted the contact that vehicles of the year, make and model have a lot of problems with the ball joints. The contact expressed concern about the safety of the vehicle in regards to steering.
2001 Dodge RAM 2500 suspension complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 39 of 39, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH the engine started sputtering and smoking resulting in a loss of power. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic determined the injection pump needed to be replaced, which no repairs were made. Also, the mechanic noticed the tie rods were pulling apart on the front left and right side. The mechanic replaced the front left and right tie rods and ball joints. The dealership and manufacturer were alerted.
Had to replace both right and left upper and lower ball joints due to wear.*ak the vehicle only had 40000 miles when the ball joint failed.
Just after the power train warrenty was up the trans started to slip. I check fluid. It was okay. Took it to the dealership and they rebuilt the trans at my cost of 2500. It still didn't shift right. The dealership told me it was fine. Last year I had to have the trans rebuilt again at 2500. It ran fine for exactly 12 months. The truck is currently in the shop again to have the trans rebuilt for the third time by a licenced facility. I had it fixed one time by a friend also. The trans shop will warrenty the labor this time but, they want over 1600 for parts. This truck was $40,000 and 2,500 per trans per year and the front end redone 3 times also. The engine is too heavy and powerful for the truck and trans. A fault by engineers at chrysler should not be a constant head ache for myself and my wallet. I have replaced nearly every part on this truck x 3. The only good thing about this truck is the motor and it's because it's a cummins.
Dodge ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. *bf the consumer stated he was constantly overcorrecting the vehicle left and right. The consumer had many alignments done but to no avail. It was discovered that all the ball joints needed to be replaced due to rust and no lubrication, the steering shaft and trac bar was replaced and the steering box was adjusted. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic and in his opinion alternate valve located in the steering was not performing as it should, when the mechanic removed the valve it extremely burnt from overheating. The consumer stated he no longer has any problems steering the vehicle.
Dodge ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. *bf the consumer stated while taking a 2 mile drive, he notice he had to constantly overcorrect to the left and then the right. The dealer replaced several componets on the vehicle to try and resolve the steering problem, the replaced all the ball joints which were severely rusted and had no grease, the steering shaft was replaced, the trac bar was replaced due to severe movement. It was finally determined that a alternate valve in the steering box was not performing as it was designed to do, when the mechanic took the valve out it was burned from overheating.
Front end vibration, and vehicle will not pass state inspection. The front ball joints are defective.*ak
The consumer states at 45,000 miles the front upper and lower ball joints needs to be replaced. The cause has not been determined. Please provide additional information.
While the consumer was pulling out of a driveway the vehicle's clutch failed. *nm the consumer stated that the sender unit for the fuel was not working and not covered by the warranty. The ball joints went out along with the clutch. At the 200 mile mark the rod which when pushed activates the clutch went out. *tc
While driving 45 MPH consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Suddenly, vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to a body shop for inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
1. Stereing wheel would not center up, vehicle drove straight. Dealer said this is normal to compensate for torque, no warranty repair, took to a suspension shop for repair $ 1200.00 (see details below). 2. Transmission shuddered in torque converter lock up. Delaer found no problems with transmission, but confirmed the problem. $ 2200.00 for new hd torque converter and hp valve body (see detail below) **accelerator stuck wide open while traveling down interstate, had to push hard on brake pedal to slow down to merge to shoulder, place vehicle in neutral and the engine revved to red line, shut down the motor. Motor would not start only crank. Dealer said the injector pump and controller awere bad, $ 3000.00 for reapair. Replaced ball joint 6/2002, replaced transmission 10/2004, replaced fuel injector pump 12/04. Sum total of repairs $ 6600.00.
Front upper ball joints are worn out and need replacing. Truck has never been used off road and most miles are highway miles. Dealer suggested I contact dodge but when I did they refused any help. Later that evening isaw an article in the paper about dodge having ball joint recalls on durangos and dakotas.this could be related and reported.
The owner took the vehicle into the dealership for inspection; the mechanic informed the owner that the front suspension had failed. The consumer will have the suspension replaced.
While driving at high speeds would shook, causing the driver to slow down. Consumer contacted dealership, and mechanic determined that upper ball joints wore out prematurely.
Another worn track bar in the fron axle. 82,000 miles. Vehicle starts to wander. This will make the third one that needs to be replaced. They last about 10,000 miles. I am not the only one with this problem with dodge rams made from 1994-2002 that is four wheel drive with the cummins diesel. I had heard that someone had one that caused them to lose control
Dealer replaced at 20,000 miles the left wheel bearing, and at 40,000 miles the right wheel bearing needed to be replaced. Consumer stated normally wheel bearings were replaced at 85,000 miles. Dealer stated that consumer should have bought an extended warranty and won't have this problem.*ak left wheel bearing failure occured at 20,000 miles. Dodge refused to talk to consumer's wife about the wheel bearing failure. Finally dealership replaced the wheel bearing at the cost of $100.00. Consumer feels that it is premature for the wheel bearing to have failed for a front end truck that is female driven.
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.
The vehicle pulled to the right or left, with the steering wheel being straight. The dealer was unable to fix the problem. *jb vehicle has been serviced 20 times. Still problem still exist. New engine and 2 transmissions replaced.
Truck wanders randomaly-front tire wobbles.
Steering wander on 2001 2500 series dodge quadcab pickup. Due mostly to faulty track bar.and front end alignment specs are to wide a range and it can be in spec but still wander all over road. You can drive down the road and for no reason at all the truck wanders into the other lane. You have to constantly counter steer back and forth to keep truck on the road. It is dangerous numerous times ive ended up in different lanes and off onto the burm of th road. The dealer forrer dodge told me that their replacing track bars all the time and have even replaced track bars on trucks that they had just received in from factory. Theirs even a custom company that makes a custom track bar because the dodge one is defective.and theirs other companies that rebuild the dodge ones to be stronger so you can eliminate the wander. You know theirs a problem when theirs companies that make stronger track bars and thats the only thing they make. Please recall it is a big problem not only on the 2001 but many other years too! Theirs even a couple web sites like www.dodgetrucksteeringproblems.com and www.dodgesucks.com and www.dodgeram.org
My truck wanders on the road. It is a challange to keep it in the lane at high way speeds. I always have to continue to try to steer it left then right. There is several inches of travel in the steering wheel between going left and right. It is very difficult to drive on the highway and stay in your lane, even more, it is dangourus to drive when it is snowy and icy. Here in minnesota we have poor driving conditions for our long winter season. I bought this to be safe in the snow and ice, acctualy it is the opposite!!
Upper and lower ball joints are failing in our fleet (33000+ miles).
While traveling at or above 45 MPH, vehicle will "drag" or pull to left into oncoming traffic. Dealership has examined vehicle, and stated that since there is no tsb for this problem, there is nothing that can be done to correct problem. *ak
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.
I just wanted to report this about my truck , the steering wanders all over the road and have heard from other owners that theirs does to. I have carried it to the dealer one time and they adjusted the steering wheel but it has started back again.
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.
It wasn't the tires it is the front end of the truck itself.
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.
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