Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that his vehicle would not start and the fans for the air conditioner were not working. After he adjusted the steering column, the air conditioner worked. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and they were unable to duplicate the failure. The failure remained and the contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The dealer stated that the wiring circuits were burned, but they could not determine when the fire occurred. They refused to repair the vehicle for free because it exceeded the warranty. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 69,000 and current mileage was 71,000. The consumer stated cuevas informed him the air/heat controls did not work in all positions. Updated 12/13/07
2003 Dodge RAM 2500 steering complaints
Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 159 of 159, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that when recovering from making a turn, the steering wheel locks when he attempts to straighten the wheel. The failure causes him to loose control of the vehicle. The failure has occurred approximately forty times. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage is 44,000 and failure mileage was 28,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. The vehicle's front end vibrated uncontrollably when driving on uneven pavement. The contact must come to a complete stop when the vibration occurs. The dealer stated the steering booster damper, outer links, and tire kit could all be possible causes for the failure. Chrysler stated that there were no flags related to the vehicle's failures. The current mileage was 77,000, and failure mileage were 35,000.
I have a 2003 dodge 2500 pick up, the power steering reservoir is leaking. The dealer told me that this is not a recall item. Since this leak could cause a loss of power steering causing an accident,possibly serious, I felt that I should report this problem. My truck has 53xxx miles on it. I think that this is too soon for a problem of this type to be occurring.
03 2500 dodge truck will not come out of park. Shift cable replaced by dealer during first service. Steering column parts replaced during second service within 2 days. One day later it is stuck again.
2003 dodge ram 2500 quadcab 4x4 p/u goes into an uncontrollable front end wobble after hitting a bump in the road but only while traveling in excess of 60 MPH, I have had new tires put on, front end checked, aligned, new front steering damper, new rt front ball joint and hub assembly.
Excessive movement in poor quality oem ball joints, along with road feed back through a multi piece, and movable steering shaft and steering column. Make this series of truck unsafe, a hazard, and a liability on the road.
Dt*: the contact stated the power steering pump has failed four times. This occurs at no particular speed. The first three times, an independent repair shop installed a refurbished pump. The pumps have continued to fail. The vehicle is at the repair shop awaiting a new pump. Updated 05/22/06.
I own a 2003 dodge ram 2500 pickup truck. Four wheel drive with a diesel engine. Vehicle has 30,000 miles. On 2 december 2005, while driving to work with out any warning the steering locked, rendering me helpless unable to steer the vehicle. After I was able to get the vehicle to a safe location I attempted to test the steering. The steering wheel would not steer to the right of center. It will steer to the left but seems to have a diminished power assist performance at first. While cycling the steering system several times the power assist to the left improves. However once the steering reaches the center point to the right the steering locks and would not go any further right of center. The vehicle is currently at dominion dodge service rep 1259 e. Main street salem virginia, and they have determined that the steering gear box has failed. Although it is very possible that a component of this type could fail, in the 30 years as an automotive mechanic and a master in hydraulic systems technology I have yet seen or heard of a steering gear box failure that would render a vehicle completely incapable of controlling steering. Most of my experience in this field is usually worn component that cause poor performance in the steering capability. Usually this occurs at greater than 100,000 miles, not at 30,0000.
Dt: the contact stated there was excessive play within the steering and a shimmy in the front right tire at speeds of 65 MPH. The truck could strike a bump in the road and there would be complete loss of control. The vehicle has been to a dealer for inspection of this problem. The dealer discovered the right front tire was about to fall off. Also, he noted that the pitman arm, tie rod, and stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed due to the expense. She contacted the manufacturer, but they did not offer any cost assistance.
Dt: the consumer stated that the tie rod on the front driver's side broke on the 2003 dodge ram 3500 while driving 20 MPH. The driver did not notice anything different about the driving before this happened. The steering was gone and the truck wasundriveable. The consumer had to call a tow truck to pick up the truck and take it to a dealer. The dealer said that was the first tie rod that broke. There were no injuries. The consumer was going to have it repaired. The dealer said that is was not under warranty. The dealer was not going to help with any expenses. The manufacturer has not been contacted at this point.
2003 dodge 2500 quad cab 4x4. Diesel: when driving on interstate highways it becomes very difficult to steer and control after hitting a rough spot in the roadway and a rough bridge. Does not do it all of the time so you never know when to expect it. The only way to stop the problem is to slow way down, at least 25 to 30 MPH slower. It did not start doing this until about 200 miles over the factory bumper to bumper warranty. Local dealer thought it was due to rotating tires and the tires being out of balance. I had tires re-balanced and also install a new mopar steering strut and it still does it. It is very dangerous and I am afraid to pull my 21 ft boat now. My wife will no longer drive it either. There needs to be some kind of factory recall before lives and property are lost!!
Vehicle was driving at 55mph when suddenly complete loss of steering occurred and brakes locked simultaniously causing vehicle to spin out of control into oncoming traffic. No accident occurred although oncoming traffic also spun out of control to avoid accident. Engine never died and when vehicle stopped itself steering and brakes returned to what appeared to be normal. Driver was to shaken to continue and her brother took over. He re-entered highway and slowly accelerated watching gauges to look for abnormal occurances. When vehicle reached 45mph oil pressure guage jumped all the way to top reading, complete loss of steering re-occurred, and brakes locked again causing vehicle to spin again out of control. Vehicle was towed to nearest dealer where dealer said they had never heard of that happening. Contacted chrysler where they said they had no record of that happening. Perhaps because the people are all dead? Whatever causes this sequence of events to be able to occur should be of major concern to the people at chrysler. The vehicle is under warranty but since no one seems to understand how this could happen how do I ever put my family back in this truck again much less hook up our horse trailer to it?
I was driving at freeway speed 75 MPH when I hit a small washboard type bump, my 2003 dodge 4x4 2500 diesel (with 39,000 miles) began swerving so violently I could hardly hang on to the wheel. We nearly ran off the road and just missed the semi next to us. It was so bad, my wife's head was hitting against the passenger window. We had to slam on the brakes & come to a speed of 30 MPH to get it to stop. It seemed to drive fine until we could get it to the dealership in grand junction, who diagnosed it as a bad tie rod end. Replaced that,, and sent us on our way. We again began driving down the freeway, pulling a small cargo trailer when it happened again. This time it was so much worse while I tried to hang on to the wheel that I could hardly focus my eyes and again my wife's head smashing against the passenger window with this violent shaking. We took the truck to the dodge dealership in st. George, ut where they reported there were several things they could do, but couldn't guaranty that it would fix the problem. Did comment that they were well aware of this problem with these trucks and the service team in slc, ut had named it "the death wobble". I questioned why there is not a recall if it is so common, but he had no answer. He stated most of the people who had this problem 'just got rid of the truck' in other words some other fool has it. This is going to kill someone if not remedied. As a matter of fact, my small wife would have never had the strength to hang on to that wheel & we would be dealing with a crash or death instead of this letter.
Uncontrolled wobble of front wheels on 2003 dodge ram heavy duty truck due to worn ball joints and steering components, I'm told these are the same ball joints used on the durango.
(1) driving on freeway at 75 MPH speed limit. Hit ruts in road left from semis. Tires started bouncing. Truck went out of control. I thought I had multiple blowouts. Struggled to pull over without hitting anyone else. Got truck stopped and got out and looked at tires. No damage to tires. Researched symtoms on-line when home again, discovered what is being called "death wobble". Took truck to alignment shop today and they informed me they cannot align because all of my ball joints have way to much play and tie rod ends are worn out. Further research done today on dodge owners websites and have found that many others are having "death wobble" issues and bad ball joints, but dodge is not replacing them because they state play is acceptable. (2) this failure is one of the most scary things I have ever encountered while driving a vehicle. Twenty minutes earlier I was towing my travel trailer behind me and I think if this would have happened with the trailer on I would have not been able to control the truck. I am terrified of it happening again. (3) I have not had any parts replaced yet do to the weekend, but I will be calling a second shop on moday for a second opinion and pricing to have the parts replaced. My family means to much to me to wait for a recall from dodge on these ball joints. I do know that they just recalled durangos and dakotas for the same reason and in my opinion, they should recall full sized trucks as well. This condition could have very serious consequences up to and including death, with the vehicle going out of control at freeway speeds.
My 2003 dodge ram 2500 steering shakes uncontrollably when you hit a bump at highway speeds or a bridge expansion joint. Directional control is difficult while this is happening. This happened while traveling at 75 MPH, and sent the truck into the other lane, nearly causing an accident. Could not get the shaking to stop until truck dropped to 45 MPH. The dealership says that one other customer is having the same problem. They checked all the steering components and said everything was good. This is very dangerous, and should be checked out further. Ball joints in these trucks:2003 ram 2500 -3500 are proven to be defective. I am a member of the turbo diesel register which is comprise of 40,000+ members and this problem is not uncommon at all. Approximately 50% of all 2003 + trucks have ball joint slop in the first 10,000 miles.
I had sears align tires on my dodge. They described problems with ball joint, tie rod and bearing on my 2003 dodge. Chrysler will not replace parts that are showing excessive wear on this 1.5 year old truck as they did not diagnose problem before warranty expiration.
Problem seems to occur more frequently on interstate or highway at speeds of over 65 MPH. When vehicle hits a bump a certain way it begins to bounce and sway very violently. So much so that it throws you into other lanes. You have to slow to less than 50 MPH to get it to stop. Nothing has been done to correct this. Local dealers have been unable to locate problem. This problem will cause fatalities if the problem isnt solved soon.
Truck is unsafe to drive on freeway and had to trade off due to dealer not wanting to repair .this is a know problem since 2000 with several different trucks and everytime dealer gives you deer in headlights look. Factory needs to recall all these trucks before people get killed!trade truck in due to being unsafe I know of 2 other trucks doing the same and not corrected by factory.
While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front. Abs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced.
Truck starts to shake violently when driving at 75 MPH over, over passes and tends to loose control of steering. Has happend several times.
My 2003 dodge ram 2500 steering shudders uncontrollably when you hit a bump at highway speeds. Directional control is difficult while this is happening. This happened while traveling at 75 MPH, and sent the truck into the other lane, nearly causing an accident. Could not get the shaking to stop until truck dropped to 35 MPH. The dealership says that one other customer is having the same problem. They checked all the steering components and said everything was good. This is very dangerous, and should be checked out further.
My automobile is unsafe, I almost wrecked thursday with my children with me. It very scary and I am afraid to drive it any more. We have been through arbitration twice and been denied. We have two dealerships that have driven it and says it is unsafe and needs to be removed from the highways. I have contacted daimler chrysler and they have refused to cooperate with us. Please call me at [xxx]. *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My 2003 dodge ram 2500 steering shudders uncontrolably when you hit a bump at highway speeds. Directional control is difficultwhile this is happening. The dealership says that one other customer is having the same problem. They thought that they had fixed it by replacing the steering dampener, but he had it happen again and spun out of control.
I drive a 2003 ram 2500 quad cab pickup. Several times while driving this vehicle at highway speeds I have come to a bump in the road, (sometimes just a repair left after construction), and nearly lost control of the vehicle. The steering wheel becomes loose feeling, and the vehicle actually looses contact with the roadway. I fear having this happen someplace where there are other vehicles in close quarters. I have taken the vehicle in to the service department where I purchased it. My service manager admits he has had this same experience in a demo vehicle he drove. He lowered the tire pressure (way below what I thought was recommended). This does help some, but it doesn't completely fix the problem. I also worry about driving on underinflated tires. This has happened numerous times, with the most recent being today.
At highway speeds, 65 MPH and above, all 2003 and 2004 ram trucks with four wheel drive vibrate because of a new engineering design. I have taken my truck to the dealer for repair and chrysler, while they know of this problem and made an adjustment to the pinion gear, insists it is normal for this vehicle. The problem is caused by a new design by which the front drive pinion in four wheel drive vehicles spins continuously, even at highway speeds. This design is not normally used in four wheel drive specifically because of vibration issues. It makes the mirrors shake and also makes occupants nauseous. To make matters worse, if a 65 MPH highway is not available for evaluation prior to purchase (such as in my case), the buyer is unaware of this serious issue.
While driving at 15 MPH, the intermediate steering shaft fell apart, the driver loss control of the vehicle. The cause of the steering shaft failure was due to the pinch bolt falling out. *ak the consumer making a right turn towing a small trailer when the steering shaft separated and the vehicle veered into the ditch. *scc
Seat becomes a problem when the temperature gets colder. Cool mornings will cause the seats to rise 3 inches causing driver or passenger not to sit correctly and buckle seat belt. This also causes driver to readjust mirror as temperatures rise and cushion lowers. As these changes occur driver must adjust seat forward and back making use of mirrors impossible without numerous corrections daily.also, vehicle wanders on highway, driver must continuously move steering wheel to keep vehicle between lines on consumer's side of the road. In addition, detected clunking noise coming from steering box.
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