2008 Dodge RAM 2500: loss of power steering

Filed Jan 7, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · CO

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.

Filed Dec 5, 2017 · Steering · 109,000 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Nov 17, 2017 · Steering · 142,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed Apr 17, 2012 · Steering · 97,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the power steering assist of the vehicle. The contact was able to move off the roadway and inspected the vehicle where he found that the passenger side tie rod assembly was fractured. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v350000 (steering linkages: tie rod assembly) would only cover the front driver side wheel and not the front passenger side. The failure and the current mileage was 97,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 82,000 miles · WI

While driving 2008 dodge ram mega cab (~82,000 miles) on I-39 north from bloomington il at mile marker 87, complete loss of steering occured on vehicle. Was able to get vehicle to stop. Got out and inspected vehicle found outer tie rod on passenger side seperated. Call police and chrysler customer service. Tow truck took vehicle to rochelle il dodge dealer. Il state patrol was on site also.

Filed Mar 31, 2011 · Suspension · 2,000 miles · CA · crash

I own a 2005 and a 2008 dodge diesel 4x4,automatic trans. I've had to replace both stabilizer bars and links as well as all the other bars running across the front of the trucks. I've already replaced the linkage and steering box on the 08 due to loss of steering involving an accident. I now have the steering gear and linkage going out on the 05. The dealership says there's no recall on my problems. Funny how its happening w.both trucks. The 05 had about 50,000 when the problems stared occurring and the 08 started at approx. 2,000 mi, my shop had told me my wheel bearings were already getting worn and needed replacing soon in the 08, and its still new!! The tranny has been rebuilt in the 05 at 50,000. The 08 has been in the shop at least 5 times already and now has 14,000 on it. Im sure spending alot of money on both trucks with the same problems I wish someone would look into these issues. Its pretty strange both trucks have the same problems. Dodge acknowledges these problems but tells me I still have to pay for itbecause they're using better parts that are more costly. If im paying for it anyway I might as well take them to another shop I trust. I wouldn't advise anyone to buy a dodge. Nothing but a headache and im going broke! I've lost my faith and am scared to even take my children to school!

Filed Nov 12, 2010 · Steering · 45,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving in reverse, the power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. The contact called the dealer who stated that the vehicle was included in recall 09v005000 (steering: linkages: tie rod assembly) and it was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. Updated 8/19/14

Filed Sep 20, 2010 · Steering · 14,645 miles · CA

2008 dodge ram 2500 mega cab 4x4. I had steering vibration and sticking steering at slow speeds since I drove it off the lot. I had shocks, all steering linkage, stabilizer, bushings, hydroboost unit and pitman arm replaced, due to slow speed sticking and "death wobble. " my warranty expired at 39,000 miles, so I replaced shocks and stabilizer with bilsteins at my own expense. Vibration and sticking wheel (power steering failure) still occurs. Severe death wobble at 60+ MPH. The federal safety agency needs to get involved. This is a major safety hazard and has nearly caused me to crash into other lanes of traffic. Dodge cannot fix and refuses to accept any responsibility after your warranty expires. I have tried several times to work with chrysler and they don't have the answers or want you to pay for diagnosis they cannot solve. Please help......

Filed Mar 6, 2010 · Steering · 41,000 miles · PW · crash

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). I own a 2008 dodge ram 2500 heavy duty pickup on march 1, 2010 at 6:15 going down w main street a straight road my vehicle lost steering control and started to veer to the left into the opposing lane and then to go off road. I was driving at apprx 20-25 miles per hr . I have learned there is a recall h46 thru chrysler but they are telling me my vehicles dirty and warranty ran out at 36,000 miles I have 46,000 miles. I have had many conversations with chrysler and they tell me to go thru my insurance the say I hit curb. That only happened after the fact that the steering had no control . I was told by the dealer paul service person that it has a recall for something within a part in the steering linkage but it will not be covered and chrysler has a new or redesigned steering linkage that can only be purchased $1350.00. The recall states during a prior service appt a mopar service part steering linkage may been installed on your truck [xxx] the drag link inner joint may fracture under certain driving conditions this could result in a loss of steering which cause a crash without warning also steering damper bracket at the tie rod may loosen ,the legal department at chrysler is where my claim is there # is 1 248 944-7084 and they are sending a inspector to look at this [xxx]. Please help me I have missed 2 days of work and have no vehicle or rental and my twin daughters that are 12 have to walk home from bus stop about a half mile on a country road, not safe please help me ! [xxx]

Filed Jul 7, 2009 · Steering · 28,000 miles · CO

Safety recall h36 involves steering linkage. "this could result in a loss of steering control and cause a crash without warning." chrysler is only allocating one recall kit per week to my dealer, who has a list of over 300 affected customers. At this rate, chrysler is willing forego safety for 5.75 years! Deplorable. I called chrysler, who said they needed the part and order number of my dealer. I contacted my service department on the other line, who explained that it is impossible for them to order the part for a campaign allotment. I've been calling on this since april.

Filed Apr 3, 2009 · Steering · 1,400 miles · AK

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 2500. The contact received a recall notice from dodge regarding the steering drag link inner joint and damper brackets. These components control the steering wheel and may fracture, causing a loss of steering control. The dealer stated that the parts were unavailable for the repair and it would take an additional two months for the parts to arrive. The federal safety agency campaign id number was unknown. The failure mileage was 1,400.

Filed Mar 16, 2009 · Steering · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 2500. On march 13, 2009, the contact received a recall notice regarding the steering drag link inner joint and damper bracket. He called every dealer in texas and none of them have the part available for the repair due to a national back order from chrysler. The recall stated that if the part is not replaced, a loss of steering control could occur without warning and cause a crash. The federal safety agency campaign id number was unknown. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 7,700.