2006 Dodge RAM 2500: loss of power steering

Filed Aug 26, 2020 · Steering · 195,000 miles · NV

Drag link broke causing loss of steering. This was a duralast drag link p/n ds1463 purchased from autozone in 2018 to replace a bent oem part. Failure occurred at 35mph on a dirt road and I was able to safely stop. Drag link broke at upper end near steering box at the machined shoulder where the threads end. Beach marks and a dark area indicate existing crack at this location for some time prior to failure, however there was no indication of impending failure prior to event. Truck has experienced recent problem with death wobble at freeway speeds which was corrected by tire change and new shock absorbers.

Filed Aug 20, 2015 · Steering · 125,000 miles · PA · crash

After being inspected at dealership for prior tie rod and steering link recalls, my ram 2500 at about the 125k mileage point began to experience the now well documented "dodge death rattlle", where at highway speeds the front end would violently shimmy. Soon thereafter my tie rod did fracture, causing me to lose steering ability on a 40mph roadway, where I narrowly avoided a serious accident. I had it repaired at my local shop and it went another 10k before the dodge death rattle reappeared again, and despite numerous checks on alignment, shocks, front end, there did not seem to be an answer. There always remained a shimmy on bumps on the highway, and I only drove this truck on local roads thereafter. Tonight backing out of my driveway, the steering link assembly just fractured and I again lost steering ability completely. This same recall was followed by another recall by dodge on this component (h46 was first, then n62) it is my belief this defective componentry causing the "death rattle" also put so much stress on the rest of the front end that this vehicle is unsafe to drive. As I explore on the internet it is quite obvious that dodge was aware of this problem, and did nothing about it for my vehicle. I almost died the first time, thankfully the second time I was not even on the road yet ! I spoke with dodge tonight and was told that I could bring it to a dealer to inspect and "if it is indeed due to any of the recalled items" they would gladly repair it for me and provide me a quote. What recourse do I as an owner have ? The later recalled models all have this same problem, yet my car is not on their list, do I have to take their word for it that it is not their fault ? Am I entitled to compensation for the repairs I have already done at my expense ? This vehicle is not safe and I do not want to drive it again.

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Steering · 63,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a complete loss of steering. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and then towed to the residence. The contact was a certified mechanic, who informed that the steering gear box shaft fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2014 · Steering · 165,200 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

Owner had a head on collision with a tree. Although there were brake marks, there seemed to be a loss of steering control. Alchol was not a factor in the incident. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and remains on hold for inspection by dodge (which will hopefully done in a timely manner-asap). There were many documents of repairs to the vehicle which I disposed of before finding this recall notice. It was purchased in 2014 by current driver.

Filed Jul 14, 2014 · Steering · 96,500 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering assist failed. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The contact was uninjured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 96,500. Updated 8/29/2014

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Steering · 92,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, an unusual noise emitted outside of the vehicle with a slight loss of steering control. The contact was able to regain control and maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact noticed that the front passenger's side tie rod fractured. The vehicle was towed to the residence and had not been repaired. There was a recall related to the front driver's side tie rod under the federal safety agency campaign id number 13v528000 (steering) and the part was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2014 · Steering · 68,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, a loud abnormal noise was heard from the vehicle as the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where unknown repairs were made to the vehicle. The contact had also received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v528000 (steering) but was unable to have the vehicle repaired because the necessary parts were not available. Both the dealer and the manufacturer advised the contact that the part was unavailable for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

Filed Nov 26, 2013 · Steering · 133,608 miles · CA

Chrysler case# [xxx] 11/23/2013 up to this point, I had no prior indication that there was a problem with my steering. I was towing my 20' single axel trailer bass boat and noticed play in the steering wheel. At washington and the 710 we heard a loud glunk, as if a piece of metal snapped in half. Just (s) of bandini the truck veered from slow lane into traffic and a total loss of steering occurred. On monday 11/25/2013 I contacted chrysler and spoke with a lady named [xxx]. I described what happened with my vehicle and she instructed me to bring it to a local dodge dealer. She went on to say she had included notes in the system that would inform the service department of my problem. Spoke with [xxx] service consultant and was told that I had already brought my truck in for this recall, I believe he said the date was 3/2011 and that the recall was complete. He went on to say that there are no recalls on my vehicle and he just wanted to make certain he got paid. I contacted chrysler for the 2nd time and was informed that there is nothing they will be doing to assist me with this matter. She stated that the recalls for this particular problem haven't went out yet, therefore the public has not been notified. I explained the severity of the situation, but she was not accepting any responsibility for a dodge truck losing total control of the steering, due to design failure. Tuesday 11/26/2013 1:00pm I received a phone call from [xxx] . He said he had spoke with chrysler and they were not responsible. He informed me that the steering box is the problem and if I had any questions, chrysler would like to speak with me. This is a very serious matter and chrysler should be very fortunate that a serious accident didn't occur as a result of their faulty steering box. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 19, 2013 · Steering · 130,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 2500 diesel. The contact stated that while reversing into a driveway, an unusual snap was heard. The contact stated that the power steering failed within minutes. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was previously remedied under the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v350000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Apr 8, 2013 · Steering · 110,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tie rods needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v350000 (steering). The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was unknown. *tr updated 6/17/13

Filed Sep 21, 2010 · Suspension · 54,220 miles · GA

2006 dodge ram 2500 quad cab laramie with diesel - vehicle begins to shake/wobble at around 40mph and gets progressively worse. When I hit a small bump - vehicle violently shakes out of control - loss of steering occurs - and have virtually no control until I bring speed down under 20-30mph. This is an extremely dangerous condition. Have had 2 dealerships inspect and find nothing wrong. Had a good truck shop in town inspect - no idea what's causing this issue. I do not have $5k+ to give dodge to put on a full 2009 model years suspension. They have done multiple recalls, none of which fix this issue. I just want my truck to drive normally without fearing going over 45mph.

Filed Nov 18, 2009 · Steering · 25,000 miles · FL

2004 dodge ram pick up had repeated episodes of violent shaking, loss of steering control, and almost flipped over 2 out of the 10 episodes. Happened when driving over 45mph, usually on the highway, and 50% of the time started shaking after hitting a bump in the road. Took the truck to dodge several times, only to be told that there was nothing wrong with it. We were so terrified to drive it, that we ended up trading it in on another vehicle. Unfortunately, since we paid cash for the truck, we ended up taking a tremendous loss on it. Not to mention the thousands of dollars we spent trying to get it fixed. On one occasion we were stranded a few hundred miles from home, and had to stay at a campground for two weeks until it was " so called fixed". Dodge paid for nothing! After picking the truck up after being in the shop for 10 days, and several hundred dollars later, within 5 minutes of pulling out of the shop and accelerating to 45mph, the shaking became so violent it snapped a tie rod and put me in a ditch. When I called the dodge dealership that had just fixed it, they wanted to charge me for towing it back to the shop. This was very frustrating! We will never buy another dodge vehicle. This vehicle is dangerous to both the driver and the other motorists in it's path.