Dodge RAM 2500 power steering loss problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Steering · CA

On September 3, 2026, the vehicle was being operated under normal and intended driving conditions when the Front Heavy-Duty Adjustable Track Bar suddenly and catastrophically failed and/or broke and/or snapped. A track bar is a critical safety component responsible for managing lateral axle movement and maintaining steering alignment. The instant this heavy-duty component snapped, the front axle completely shifted out of alignment, causing an immediate, total loss of steering control, and violent vehicle instability. As a direct consequence of this component's structural failure, I was unable to steer or safely control the vehicle, causing my vehicle to veer dangerously into the opposite lane and into oncoming traffic.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · AZ

I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the 5.9L Cummins diesel, manufactured in September 2000, with approximately 197,000 miles. The AIRBAG warning light now remains illuminated continuously, and the steering-wheel cruise-control buttons are completely inoperative. The horn still works. I performed the instrument-cluster self-test, and the CRUISE indicator illuminates during that test, confirming the indicator itself functions. I suspect a failure in the steering-wheel clockspring or related airbag circuit because these symptoms are similar to the condition addressed by Chrysler Safety Recall 982 / the federal safety agency Recall 01V153000. The vehicle has not yet been repaired or disassembled for this issue, so the original component remains installed and would be available for inspection if requested. My safety concern is that a clockspring or airbag-circuit failure could prevent the driver’s frontal airbag from deploying properly in a crash. The illuminated AIRBAG warning lamp indicates that the supplemental restraint system has detected a fault. The problem has not yet been diagnosed or confirmed by a dealer or independent repair facility. I contacted the Dodge/Ram Recall Assistance team and reported the condition. They opened a customer-assistance case, but told me that my VIN was not included in Recall 982. My Dodge/Ram case number is 97895685. My truck was manufactured in September 2000, and the 11th character of the VIN is “G.” Because the vehicle is experiencing an airbag warning condition and loss of steering-wheel cruise-control functions similar to symptoms associated with clockspring failure, I am requesting that the federal safety agency review whether vehicles outside the original recall population may be experiencing the same safety-related defect. The AIRBAG warning light and cruise-control failure are the current symptoms. I do not know the exact date the underlying component began to fail. No crash or airbag deployment has occurred.

Filed Nov 12, 2024 · Steering · KS

The steering became uncontrollable and wobbled so violently I could not keep my hands on the wheel. It will be open for inspection at any time. The safety of all other road users and pedestrians were put in grave danger. Due to the complete loss of steering control. This has happened to other ram owners I have talked with as well. The problem was addressed by my local mechanic. He recommended replacing the entire front end steering and suspension components I agreed he did the work, he did the work. I also replaced all four tires with new and had them balanced. Within 2 weeks this death wobble happened. There are no warning lamps for this problem.

Filed Mar 23, 2024 · Steering · UT

Yesterday, 3/22/2024, I was driving northbound on I-15, fat left lane, approx. 80 mph/posted highway speed. Suddenly lost steering control on my 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins diesel truck. Front end/tires began vibrating, all steering control lost, truck veered to the right across 3 lanes of traffic and off into the dirt/sage brush to the right of the highway. It almost rolled over, but I was able to slow it to a stop. My dogs & I could have been killed. I turned the truck off for a few minutes, then re-started the ignition. Was mid-trip with no other transportation option, so I drove the rest of the way at much slower speeds, was able to get the truck to our home. I am still shaken from what could have happened to me and our family. I have dash cam video of this incident.

Filed Feb 24, 2022 · Electrical · FL

Driving on the highway doing about 100km per hour and the truck shut off. No noise or anything it just died, no steering etc. luckily I was able to slow down and safely get to the side of the road. Put in park and it started up again fine. A few weeks later the same thing happened while drive 60km per hour. I took it home and appears the key is able to shake loose while in the run position; if you hit a bump etc it’s enough to cause the truck to shut off. I brought it to the dealer and told them and they knew exactly what the issue was; have to replace the ignition and get new keys- approximately a $1000 repair im told. They also said they do 4-5 of these repairs a week. I asked if it’s a recall item and they said no. I was shocked as it was very frightening when the truck shut off on the highway and not having full control of the vehicle. It was dangerous and I have not driven the truck since; have been 5 weeks waiting on the new ignition to come in. I also have a 2012 dodge 3500 diesel and it did the same thing this week. While driving it shut off. So I have 2 of these truck with the same issue; I’m told it’s a common issue with the trucks, but it’s not a recall? Seems like a huge safety concern to me. If I had been involved in an accident due to this issue I’m Sure we would be looking at a whole other issue.

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 Oct 11, 2021 · Electrical · TX

This has happened to me two times in 2014 and This has happened to me twice in 2014 and Oct/09/21 The windshield washer starts spraying all of a sudden blinding me then was able to get wiper to work. Windows wouldnt go down so i could see out. luck i was going about 25 miles an hour. I was about to gett on interstate going about 70 mph.that would have been bad . then the pickup died and i was able to pull over off the road with no power steering or brakes. I got out and disctmpionteed the battery to stop horn and windowwasher and wiper and the engine kept trying to star all the while smoke was coming from the tpmi fuse box

Filed Jan 13, 2021 · Brakes, Steering · 75,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH and making a left turn, the braking system malfunctioned and the vehicle would not immediately slow down. Additionally, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on four separate occasions and occurred while the RPM was below 700 RPM. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. No repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 75,000.*dt failure occurred after braking and going about 20 MPH after the RPM's drop to about 700.

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 May 14, 2020 · Steering · 220,000 miles · TX

On the evening of may 1st, 2020, I pulled my 2010 dodge ram 2500 trx 4wd into my sons? Driveway and dropped off my granddaughter. I went to back out of the driveway turning my wheel to the right as I backed out I heard what sounded like I ran over a large rock, as I pulled forward I turned my wheel to the left and proceeded forward only to have the truck go right back in the yard where I had just pulled out. I realized that there was an issue with the steering. I climbed under the truck to discover that the tie rod had sheared off at the pitman arm. This caused a complete loss of steering. I had a front-end alignment about 2 years ago with no issues. Prior to that I had a recall issue with the drag link about 3 or 4 years ago with no other known issues. I do not drive the truck off road just on paved roads. The parts are the factory sealed tie rod with no grease fitting. I have been repairing vehicles for over 40. I have never seen this type of failure. The normal failure mode for this part should have been lots of slack in the joint from loss of grease. This failure mode is not acceptable! If I had been traveling at highway speeds and this part had broken I would have had total loss of steering and you know as well as I do when you hit your brakes the vehicle tends to pull to the right due to the slope of the road which is designed for water runoff. This could have resulted in a catastrophic crash resulting in serious injury or death. This is something that needs to be address immediately before someone dies!