Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 2500. While driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 136,000. The VIN was not available.
Dodge RAM 2500 steering lock-up problems
41 of the 6,440 owner complaints about the Dodge RAM 2500 describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 41
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 60,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 17Ball joint 8Harsh shifting 2Brake failure 2No deployment 2Windshield crack 1Transmission failure 1Won't shift 1
What owners say
When operating the vehicle it will unexpectedly turn off, wheels lock up, steering locks up, engine stops completely no matter what I am doing. As of late this has been happening more frequently. After research was done, it's the ignition switch problem that will cause death or serious injury. This truck has done this on the interstate, hwy, and city streets while driving at various times. This is our only vehicle and is used to drive my 4 children around, ages 17 to 1yr old.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge ram 2500. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle shook violently without warning and the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the diagnostic results were unknown. The independent mechanic also stated that the power steering cap detached from the vehicle and caused the power steering fluid to pour out. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,834.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle and the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v528000 (steering). The failure mileage was 60,608. Updated 02/12/16*lj according to the invoice, the lower front ball joint, steering damper and inner and outer tie rod ends were replaced. Updated 02/25/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 2500. The contact stated that while making a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use extreme force in order to maneuver the vehicle. The failure was experienced several times. The dealer advised that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v657000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 04/14/16*lj; updated 05/10/18*jb
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shook violently, veered to the right, and the steering wheel seized without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a road sign. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver side tie rod assembly fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v528000 (steering). The failure mileage was 72,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v528000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. While driving in snow at approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized and required excessive force. The contact crashed into guard rails. The vehicle sustained front end, passenger, and rear end damage. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, when the vehicle was shifted into park with the engine running, the gear independently shifted into reverse. The contact placed the vehicle into park and shut off the vehicle engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be determined. An alarm system was applied to the vehicle to alert the driver of independent gear changes, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20.
We just got our 2012 ram 2500 out of the shop for the steering locking up. The first time we took the truck into a dodge dealer, greenwood, in gilroy, ca, told us they couldn't duplicate the problem and didn't offer any kind of resolution. The second time we took the truck in,to the same dodge dealer in gilroy, ca, for the same issue, on july 6th, they said again, they could not duplicate the issue. However, they said they found metal in the steering pump fluid. They said, the warranty agrees to pay for the pump, but the part would not be in that friday or the following week. We had a camping trip scheduled and asked if it was safe to drive? They would not indicate. We had made an appointment to bring the truck back in on july 19th. On july 24th, service department said, the pump was an upgrade and the warranty company wouldn't pay for the new fitting and hose required for the upgraded pump. We told them to go ahead and replace the pump with the upgraded steering pump and fitting/hose. We complained to the dealer's management and they paid for the fitting/hose and finally gave us our truck on saturday, july 25th. On july 27th, I heard about the buy back the government is issuing to fca us llc and decided to send you my problem with the steering on our 2012 dodge ram 2500 diesel 4x4.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard was falling apart. When the air conditioner was activated, there were particles flying out of the vents. While driving approximately 10 MPH over a bump, the steering wheel seized and something on the front end felt loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the upper ball joint and stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the dashboard was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Related recalls
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 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 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
Questions about the Dodge RAM 2500 steering lock-up
Which Dodge RAM 2500 years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (6 complaints), 2001 (5 complaints) and 2008 (5 complaints).
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