2008 Dodge RAM 3500: loss of power steering

Filed Dec 29, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 91,000 miles · MT · fire

On three different occasions, the tipm has failed on this truck. The first time the vehicle was under warranty. Second one happened in 2013. The third time in dec of 2015. All three times the motor quit in heavy traffic and the dashboard went off. The tipm box then started smoking. I disconnected the battery cables. On the third occasion, I was delayed by heavy traffic in getting to the battery cables. The truck was on a steep grade. The horn started honking, wipers and windshield sprayer activated, and then the vehicle tried to start itself and move forward. If I had been under the hood, I would have been run over. Also, this truck was pulling a trailer on a mountain pass with no power steering, brakes, or trailer brakes due to this problem and made this extremely dangerous.

Filed Jun 25, 2015 · Steering · 115,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500. While driving over rough terrain at approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel felt loose and there was a loss of steering in the front end of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the tie rod was faulty and the front end tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. Updated 09/10/15*lj updated 10/27/2017

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Steering · 108,000 miles · AL · crash

Approximately 3 months (and 2637 miles of highway driving) after having safety recall n62 / the federal safety agency 13v‑528 work accomplished by landers mclarty dealership in huntsville alabama, the drag link disconnected disconnected from the right tie rod at approximately 40 MPH. This resulted in a complete loss of steering and caused my vehicle to cross opposing traffic lanes and enter a ditch before I could stop the vehicle. The recall repairs were not conducted per dealer service instructions. Landers mclarty dodge service manager had provided me an e-mail indicating "I have talked to all 3 of the technicians that perform this recall, and they all stated that they use an impact gun to actually install that nut, due to the teflon that is on the inside of it to keep it from backing off after it is installed. It is very tough and is very time consuming to install with hand tools." the dealer service instruction state at step #16. Connect the drag link to the right tie rod end (figure 8). Tighten the new drag link retaining nut to 96 ft. Lbs. (130 nm). The associated figure 8 clearly indicates the use of a torque wrench and is labeled as such. Being an engineer and familiar with lock nuts and bolted joint design, I believe the use of an impact gun for installation could result in a broken/cracked nut, or loss of the teflon locking feature due to heating or mechanical abuse during installation. Landers mclarty should re-accomplish recall work for all vehicles that used impact gun to accomplish the repair.

Filed Feb 25, 2014 · Steering · 46,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while entering a driveway at approximately 30 MPH, a loud noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The contact attempted to reverse and discovered that the power steering assist ahd failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who performed a diagnostic and advised that the steering linkages had failed and would need replacing. The manufacturer was also contacted and advised that the steering linkage failure was not caused by the defect described in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v529000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 46,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2010 · Steering · 55,405 miles · NM

The failure is related to the steering linkage. A total loss of steering control was the result. The tie-rod end ball joint broke off right at the pit arm. The truck has no modifications at all and was never involved in an accident. The incident happen while backing out of the driveway. If the incident would have occurred 15 min later in traffic a serious accident could have been the result. Looking at the point where the failure occurred the ball joint had held on to only a small gross section of the pin. No indication or warning of a failure was noticeable in the days before. The parts are available for inspection or testing.

Filed Aug 13, 2010 · Steering · 55,801 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500. While the contact was driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a sudden loss of steering control. The vehicle traveled uncontrollably and skidded off the road into a mound of dirt which caused the vehicle to stop. The contact stated the front passenger tire had completely turned in an outward position. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the technician informed that the tie rod had broken. The vehicle was repaired. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v005000 (steering:linkages:tie rod assembly). However, the VIN was excluded from the recall. The failure mileage was 55,801. Updated 11/29/10 *bf updated 12/08/10

Filed Mar 31, 2010 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 56,578 miles · WA

Most owners of multiple model year dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4 pickups have or will encounter front cv driveshaft failures, u-joint failures or hanger bearing failures. This appears to be a very common problem that dodge is completely ignoring and not covering under warranty as the part failures typically occur shortly after the initial 36 month warranty is expired. This is a serious safety issue which can result in loss of steering control and even a crash. These verhicles are purchased and used as heavy duty hauling rigs and many have diesel engines allowing the carrying or pulling of large, heavy trailers. Symptoms may start with a creaking in the front axle area and include steering wheel chop upon return to center, which is another safety issue. The repair is replacement of the parts that were installed at the factory which are of known poor quality. U-joints specifically should contain a zerk fitting which would allow regular lubrication at maintenance intervals, whereas the factory installed u-joints are sealed and not greasable, which forces them to wear significantly and quickly, thus allowing the parts to fail. Every dodge dealer within 100-miles of my location is aware of the problem and states it is a common problem and not covered under the factory warranty. Many of which agree that the factory installed original parts are of poor quality and the replacement parts available from the manufacturer are of the same quality, necessitating replacement of the parts with aftermarket parts of much higher quality. On my particular vehicle I have not yet replaced the parts due to dealer scheduling availability but will be in the near future.

Filed Feb 1, 2010 · Steering, Transmission · 25,000 miles · MA

One of my tie rod ends just disintegrated while I was underway on smooth surface, resulting in loss of steering. I could have rolled the vehicle. This is the second tie rod end to go on this vehicle in less than 25k miles. *tr the universal joint was making noises. The consumer requested the dealer replace it. Updated 04/19/10

Filed Jan 26, 2010 · Steering · 12,000 miles · OK

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500 which was purchased in may 2008. While driving at speeds of 5 MPH out of the driveway, the steering wheel began to shake violently and he could not control the vehicle. The driver's side tires turned inward and he was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repairs were made to the vehicle under a recall campaign (see the federal safety agency campaign id number:09v005000, steering linkages, tie rod assembly. The contact was not sure of the exact repairs made to the vehicle. On a separate occasion, while approaching a stop sign she lost steering control. The vehicle pulled toward the right and off the road barely missing a parked vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they stated that the left tie rod assembly failed a second time. The left tie rod assembly was replaced under her extended warranty. The failure mileage was 12,000 and the current mileage was 52,000. Updated 03/09/10. *lj the tie rod failed for a second time on january 14, 2010.