Excessive steering wheel play (+/- 3") and road wander. Adjustment was made to the steering gear box, but symptoms returned after 1 week (approx. 200 miles). Suspect bad steering gear box.
2012 Dodge RAM 3500 steering complaints
Page 2 of 9: complaints 11 to 40 of 222, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 3500. While driving down a hill at 65 MPH, the contact heard a clunking noise. Upon inspection, he noticed that the power steering pump made the clunking noise. The contact searched underneath the hood and noticed leakage from the steering gear box. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering gear box was leaking and that the vehicle needed to be taken to a chrysler dealer. The vehicle was towed to anchorage chrysler dodge jeep ram center (located at 2601 e 5th ave, anchorage, ak 99501 (907) 276-1331) where it was diagnosed that the pitman arm was damaged and loose and the steering gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact was provided case number: [xxx]. The failure mileage was 81,000. Updated 10/17/17*lj the consumer stated independant mechanic fluids are below certain fluid level. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Part 01: noticed premature inboard front tire wear and cupping on both lh and rh front tires at around 28000 miles. Part 02: experienced "death wobble" (uncontrollable shaking of vehicle, severe shaking of steering wheel, inability to steer vehicle) at approx 34500 miles. This happened when crossing railroad tracks at approximately 40 MPH. Shaking stopped when I brought the truck to a complete stop in the roadway, which nearly caused an accident with a semi truck following behind. Part 03: took vehicle to tire shop to purchase 2 new front tires, and also asked for steering alignment. Was told and shown by tire shop that alignment could not be performed due to defective/worn/loose front ball joints (both sides, upper and lower). Vehicle has 35200 miles when new tires purchased. Tire shop suggested that root cause of "death wobble" might be defective ball joints. Tire shop confirmed premature tire ware was caused by defective ball joints.
Violent vibration at highway speed. Vibration stopped after bringing truck to a halt.
My 2012 ram 3500 is subject to the buyback court settlement agreement. My problem is that I wish to proceed with this option to have my defective ram sold to the buyback but over the last 15 months of just trying to proceed the whole system is 100% corrupt, crooked, fraud , criminal misconduct and I wish to proceed now still unable to have anyone help or assist with my trucks buyback, yes it's still my daily driver and I want the world to know this class action court settlement is and was a total scam ,fake ,fraud , press pleaser yet crooked area period and I am so sorry to say this but I called everyone from crysler ,fiat , dodge ,ram the dealers everyone and all said same to my desire to pursue my buyback rights ( we do not know anything of how this works or how to proceed with repurchase . Absolutely everyone I called to include he very names listed under the settlement and all remain unknowledged to how this works. Talk about major corporate scandals but more criminal intent is why is there no one answering to the courts or settlement of satisfactory buybacks ..? I know why sadly. Typical government,corporate corruption!!! It's now february 2017 two years from the buyback court order and well I still have my unsafe ram 3500 which now is very unsafe to drive yet how ironic no one has a dam clue of how or what to do with this agreement. I plan to take the whole involved system to court to announce worldwide of this major conspiracy to defraud aprox a million victims as they are all tossed to gutter the day after the big press announced this huge buyback.
Driving on interstate at 65 MPH. After hitting an elevation bump where a bridge and main highway join the steering immediately began to shimmy violently. Loss of control was possible. I believed I had a blowout or steering linkage failure. I put on the 4 way flashers and managed to make my way to the emergency lane. The shimmy discontinued after I slowed below 40 MPH.. This could have easily caused a disastrous and even fatal situation. This vehicle is sometimes used to tow a 5th wheel rv. In addition, the vehicle was purchased new, has never been in an accident and only has approximately 21,000 miles on the odometer. This is in line with the "death wobble" information I found on line. This is very scary and unacceptable!! I was on a straight stretch of highway at the time.
While travelling down the highway at approximately 70 MPH, I crossed over a small overpass that went over a stream. At the transition point of the pavement to bridge, the front end started shaking uncontrollably. I could barely hold the wheel and guide the truck to the side of the road. I had to slow down to approximately 10-15 MPH before I was able gain control.
The vehicle was stopped, the steering wheel was turned and the ball joint between the steering box and the front suspension snapped making a huge bang noise.
I have reported this before but it keeps happening! I paid 46,000 for a used 2012 ram 3500 with only 35,000 miles on it and its a piece of junk. In and around town the steering is fine but on highway driving the truck steering wheel starts shaking unexpectedly. It takes both hands to keep it on the road and the vibration will not stop until you get the truck stopped. I was told that this was happening because I had off road tires. I spent close to $1,000 and changed to the factory spec tires. This did not solve the issue! It keeps happening on highway driving. The dodge dealers refuse to acknowledge this has a manufacture defect somewhere in the front end. I am afraid to tow anything or have my family ride with me in the truck. This issue must be investigated and ram held accountable to come up with a solution!
2012 ram 3500. Consumer writes in regards to left front steering joint damages and vehicle buy-back program issues. *smd the consumer stated the left front steering joint snapped off, as he was driving 5 MPH. *jb
This is the second time I reported this issue. On august 26 the front end started vibrating unexpectedly when hitting a minor rough patch in the road. I was on virginia 81 heading north of roanoke traveling at roughly 70 MPH. This required me to have a death grip on the steering wheel to keep it on the road until I could slowly apply the brakes and get to the side of the road. Vibration stopped after coming to a complete stop, at that point you could reenter the highway and it might not happen again for a few days. The local dodge dealer said the tie-rod was replaced on a recall and that was all they would do until further notice. As suggested by a dealer, a month ago I replaced all four tires to factory specifications thinking this might help. It has not! No one seems to know what the steering problem is nor do they care until they are forced by the federal safety agency to address the issue on the 2012 ram 3500. This is a major safety recall issue that will eventually get someone killed!
Death wobble seems when I hit a small repair in the road at the right angle I get the death wobble with no control of the truck. I have to pull over and almost stop before it is ok again. I pull a 40' 5th wheel with my wife in the truck most of the time. It has happened several times when passing a semi with me having to pull into the media to stop the wobble. I have taken to several repair places and they tell me nothing wrong it's the dodge truck. Dealer replaced a bar on the front end but didn't do anything doesn't matter how fast I am going over 40mph. I am afraid to drive this truck but can't afford to get another. My wife will not drive it because of this problem. I have purchased different names of tires, replaced the stabilizer shock and now going to add a steering box stabilizer
When driving down the highway, any time the vehicle hits a discontinuity such as grooves made by heavy trucks, the vehicle drives erratically and tries to move suddenly into the other lane or off the road. I brought it into the dealer prior to warranty expiring and they misdiagnosed it to be a rear end problem and told me I had to buy a rear stabilizer. I brought it back again and they could not figure out why. I brought it to 2 other shops and another dealer. The 2nd dealer said the whole front end was needing to be replaced but now the warranty expired. I had purchased an extended warranty and they covered part of it but they are not affiliated with dodge. This did not fix the problem. I have called their customer service line numerous times they refuse to let me talk to a manager. They say I need to bring it back to the dealer but they say the warranty is expired and they will not cover it.
I live in warrenton, va. On july 23 my wife and I were heading south on virginia highway 81. My 2012 ram 3500 at roughly 65 MPH the front end started shaking so violently that I almost lost control. This happened at least 3 times during our trip to our vacation home. Once it started the only way to stop it was to ease up on the accelerator until the speed dropped to around 25 MPH. The local dealers have no idea what is wrong!
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 3500. The contact received a manufacturers recall on the fuel/propulsion system and steering. However, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
While driving 72 MPH with cruise control on, I hit a bump in the road and the truck started shaking violently, I thought I was going to lose control. I hit the brakes and headed to the shoulder to get off of the busy interstate. When I slowed down, all of a sudden the shaking stopped and I continued on my way.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced violent shaking, while driving approximately 58-74 MPH. In addition, the vehicle experienced the shaking when the vehicle was driven over divots. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the third steering stabilizer, control arm, tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. Updated 04/07/16*lj updated 05/11/18*jb
I have opted for the buyout option and the way this has been handled is unacceptable. I was emailed on october 26 with a buyback offer. I accepted, and faxed the paperwork to them the next day. No one has ever called me back. I called the impartial services phone number and asked for an update. They could not tell me when this process would be finalized. In my opinion, I would think that I could be informed of whats going on throughout the process, and the buyback is taking way to long. I do not feel comfortable driving this vehicle because of the recalls that were not repaired. This leaves me without a vehicle until this process is finalized.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that it needed to be repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v459000 (air bags). The dealer did not schedule an appointment for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 194,322.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 3500. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle shook violently intermittently without warning. The failure recurred on four different occasions. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have had the so called " death wobble" 4 times now on my truck. I have taken it to the dealership to be repaired 3 times and I'm waiting to take it again today. They said they have fixed it each time but obviously they haven't. Out of the blue at 60 to 65 MPH the truck starts shaking violently and there is no stopping it until it stops on it's own. Hitting the brakes, letting off the gas or flooring it (as the dealership told me to do) when they supposedly fixed it last time doesn't help. I am so afraid that something bad is going to happen. I am scared every time I drive this truck and they just keep telling me nothing is wrong. I have also contacted chrysler to have them by back the truck but they said it has had the recall done on it so it's not eligible. Well why does this keep happening then.
Truck had accident steering just like lock up and makes since why accident accured from recalls on steering and air bags did not go off now innsurance co made it a rebuilt or salvage title so fca has the buy back program but will get a deduction in price for buy back there has been 0 recalls done if we had known of recalls accident could of been prevented would like to get repaired or buy back.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that there was an extensive delay in scheduling the recall repair appointments for the three recall repairs. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v459000, (air bags), 14v635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel), and 13v529000 (steering). The parts were not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repairs. The contact was not experiencing a failure.
Highway driving mostly. Going through tires. Tires keep getting chopped. We haul heavy loads and worry the vehicle is not safe for the type of business we do. But we can't get rid of it because of all this recall. The previous owner had part of the recall addressed but we still feel the vehicle is not safe. We see signs of wear and damage that should not be. Like the chopped tires.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 3500. While reversing 5 MPH into the driveway, the tie rod completely fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting the manufacturer to assist with the towing of the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 3500. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle jerked and the rear end vibrated. The contact also stated that the front end was vibrating while driving at any speed. As a result of the failure, the tires were replaced on four occasions. The contact stated that under the manifold intake that there was an exhaust leak and there was a fuel odor. In addition, the fuel gauge failed to function. The vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v529000 (steering) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that an abnormal popping noise was heard coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,000. The VIN was not available.
S10 direct reply- letter to the secretary from constituent re complaint concerning fiat chrysler automobile's (fca) violations of the consent order and the safety act. *smd the consumer was unsuccessful at getting recall # 13v529000 rectified.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 3500. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shook uncontrollably. The failure recurred on six different occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) and 13v529000 (steering); however, the part was not available within a reasonable timeframe to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure.
Had my ram truck alignment done 10 times and it still pull to the right as soon as I let go of the steering wheel. Everytime they test drive it they said its fine. They said its the crown of the road. But its not its something to do with the steering rack or components. It has less 32000 miles and been doing this since 2476 miles. I have had it to 4 different alignment shop and everytime they said it was a little off. Didnt get even 3 blocks and it still pulled to the right and the steering wheel is always offset to the right instead of straight across.
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