While driving the vehicle suddenly lost engine power and turned off. When this happened the steering column locked. It did not just loose power steering. The column itself entirely locked up. At this point the vehicle had no steering and limited breaking and went off the road. Thankfully it just went into a ditch and no damage was done. The vehicle turned right back on. The next day I recreated the problem on some friends property. I gave the keys in the ignition a small tug and the engine would stop and the steering column would lock. The ignition never rotated out of the on position and the key remained in the ignition. I recreated this probably 5 times and it did the same thing every time. I then brought it to the dealer but they didn't have the parts to repair it so I didn't have them look at it. I had to use the vehicle sooner then they could repair it to pull a camper about 1200 miles. I diagnosed the problem to be the ignition switch. I replaced the switch myself and the vehicle has not had the same problem since. I have given the keys in the ignition the same kind of tug and it is no longer a problem. I do have the switch available for inspection. I personally can totally understand the engine turning off due to an ignition switch failure but I believe the actual steering column locking is unacceptable.
2008 Dodge RAM 2500 steering problems
175 complaints (55% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,000. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 175
- of this car's complaints
- 55%
- typical mileage
- 60,000
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Linkages: tie rod assembly16
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Dodge RAM 2500 steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Dodge RAM 2500 steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
- Risk
- A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Recall number 13V528000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
- Risk
- A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with the federal safety agency, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.
Recall number 13V529000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
- Risk
- This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 11V350000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling 32,782 my 2008-2009 dodge ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 cab chassis pickup trucks equipped with powers and sons steering linkage. The steering linkage drag link inner tie rod to pitman arm ball stud may fracture. Also the steering linkage damper attaching the bracket may yield and shift on the linkage.
- Risk
- This could result in a loss of steering control and the restricted ability to turn the vehicle in one direction increasing the risk of a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the steering linkage drag link inner tie rod end assembly, and inspect the steering linkage damper bracket free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before february 16, 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 09V005000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Chrysler's execution of 13V‑528 & 529
RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13V‑528 and 13V‑529, both of which involved safety defects that could cause the involved vehicles, FCA?s heavier Dodge Ram trucks, to lose steering control suddenly and without warning.Specifically, RMD inquired about the availability of parts for recall repairs, by email and phone on January 15, 2014 and February 19, 2014, due to the volume of complaints it was receiving from owners alleging parts scarcity and parts restrictions. FCA steadfastly denied it had placed parts restrictions on its dealers to manage issues of parts scarcity.FCA shared material showing it had uncommitted stock of parts available for its dealers. Nevertheless, consumer complaints of lack of parts continued.RMD made independent inquiries tosome dealers tobetter understand the conflicting claims between owners alleging lack of ability to repair their defective vehicles due to lack of parts, and FCA?s information showing availability of parts.Dealers informed and provided documentation to RMD on February 21, 2014 and February 25, 2014 showing FCA had, in fact, put into place parts restrictions and, further, had in some instances canceled dealerships? back orders for parts.In addition, during the course of its dialogue with dealers, RMD discovered that FCA had notified their dealerships on February 27, 2014 to return the recall remedy parts over quality concerns, and had therefore effectively canceled its safety recall program without notification to the federal safety agency. RMD issued a request for information (IR) on October 21, 2014.The company failed to respond to a number of the questions RMD asked that required it to produce specifics surrounding the repairs and parts ordering process with the recalls, including a question about whether a dealer order for recall parts could be canceled and under what circumstances.
AQ14003
Outer Tie Rod Failure
ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allow contact between the bull stud and the ball housing which could weaken the stud and result in fracture.Chrysler submitted a recall notice on August 15, 2011 involving certain MY 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickup trucks built or repaired with the Cross Car steering linkage.Chrysler will inspect, repair or realign the front end of the subject vehicles as needed.Chrysler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10332525, 10357937, 10366591, 10303744, 10377166, 10373240, 10343969, 10375403, 10324831, 10373546, 10370771.
PE11009
What 2008 Dodge RAM 2500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 4 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he attempted to steer to the vehicle to the right however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was stopped in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The contact called colorado springs dodge (7455 austin bluffs pkwy, colorado springs, co 80923, (719)475-8550) and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v529000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 289,000.
Death wobbles: I have replaced upper and lower ball joints with problem solvers. Replaced the tie rods and ends. Replaced the stabilizer shock, replaced the track bar rubber bushings, replaced the otter universal joints on the aam 9.50 14 bolt electric hubs. New shocks all around. Drove to salt lake city and the death wobbles came back have to pull off the hwy and come to a stop while it is shaking the truck apart. 15 times from idaho.. This is a major safety problem the steering box has problems and it is not listed under any recalls. New alignment also. New transmission, at 163,000 boiled over onto the turbo, the dipstick never fit in the tube and fluid caused the truck to catch fire. 3 years ago.
I was going 65 miles per hour on the freeway when my truck violently shake back and forth so hard I had to come to a complete stop to get it to stop. I've had the front suspension replaced 3 times in the past year and still have what they call a death wobble. I have spent so much money on rentals and on shop repairs trying to repair this problem and still cannot go over 40 miles an hour without it violently shaking. This is dangerous to my family it could kill somebody and I think dodge should be responsible for taking action on repairing this or figure out the problem . I have called dodge and they have told me it is not a recall so they cannot help me out. I had bought brand new tires a brand new drive line along with replacing the front suspension 3 times now and I still cannot drive my truck without it causing violent shaking. It has 87,000 miles on it has never been in an accident so I cannot figure out why this started happening but I think that it should not be okay to have this truck on the road it's going to hurt somebody.I have only driven a couple of times and spent alot on rentals .I will never in my life buy another dodge due to lack of concern for my family's saftey.I own this vehicle outright and wish I would have never bought it.thats how scary it is to drive.
The steering wheel is suddenly very loose and there is a clunk under the driver's side when I turn the wheel from right to left. This issue came out of nowhere. I do not drive the truck often and I did not notice any incidence of note; there was no time when I noticed a sudden bump or clunk in the steering wheel. It came on gradually, but rapidly. These symptoms seem to align with a prior recall on this vehicle concerning the left tie rod ball stud, which can fracture at low speeds without notice, rapidly becoming dangerous for the occupants of the vehicle as the steering wheel can become inoperable.
Loss of steering control while driving. As a last minute thought I decided to stop at a convenience store before heading down the highway, down a hill which had a sharp u shaped turn at the bottom. When making a right hand turn into the parking lot the steering wheel became disengaged and began to spin completely around without any control. Had I continued on my way I hate to think how I would have survived what waited at the bottom of the hill. I'm not a mechanic but it seems the steering rod bolt was not installed properly and was not completely through the holes to the connection. Thankfully, I had turned into a parking lot when it lost connection. I'm sure this has something to do with recalls: n62, n49, l16, h46, h36.
The passenger side tie rod fell apart. The ball separated from the body of the tie rod. This happened at low speed as I was veering to the right, resulting in a loss of steering. There were no warning signs that this was about to happen.
Death wobble, drag link failure
I bought my truck brand new in 2008 ..it has what they call a death wobble , it only does it at speeds 50 or higher .. Many dodge truck owners also experience the same trouble.. It occurs at higher speeds when you hit a small bump , or rough patch ..the front end of the truck will come unglued , and start shaking very violently ..it first did it in 2011 , and it still does it .. I contacted the dodge corporation about it , but they refuse to do anything about it ..
The right (passenger) lower control arm ball joint failed while traveling approximately 30 miles per hour. The failure was a separation of the ball and bolt from the cup that is pressed into the cup. Total control of the truck was lost and a minor accident occurred when the truck ended up on a median with the left (driver's) tire on the median and the other tires on the road. The median is approximately 16 inches above the road bed. The ball joint is part of the steering mechanism. The steering arm ended up pushing the right tire out at 45 degree angle outside or to the right. The left front tire was at a 45 degree angle to the left. The vehicle was on a city street nearing an intersection to a 55 mile an hour highway that the vehicle was about to turn left on. The driver reported a shaking of the steering wheel similar to a flat and began to slow down when control was lost due to the mechanical failure occurred. Had this failure happened at highway speeds, the dodge ram would have rolled. The miles on the truck were 99,455. A ball joint should not fail with less than 150k miles. The vehicle was repaired on 2 may, 2017 and the left (recalled) ball joint, all steering hardware and the failed ball joint were replaced by a dodge dealer. The recalled part had not been replaced prior to purchasing the truck in december, 2016. The crash ended up in minimal to no damage to the vehicle. The vehicle had to be towed to the dodge dealer and the tow truck driver had to use plastic sliders to get the truck safely onto the flatbed tilt tow truck.
Questions about the 2008 Dodge RAM 2500 steering
Does the 2008 Dodge RAM 2500 have steering problems?
Owners have filed 175 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Dodge RAM 2500, 55% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge RAM 2500 steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Dodge RAM 2500 steering?
Yes, 4 recalls: 13V528000, 13V529000, 11V350000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge RAM 2500 have bad steering?
The Dodge RAM 2500 model years with the most steering complaints are 2006 (231 complaints), 2011 (210 complaints) and 2007 (200 complaints).
Other 2008 Dodge RAM 2500 problems
Suspension 48Engine 38Airbags 30Transmission 20Electrical 16Visibility 15Acceleration 9Fuel system 7Brakes 5Wheels 5Body 4Lights 4Seat belts 4Tires 4Driver assistance 1Seats 1
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