2012 Dodge RAM 3500: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Suspension, Transmission · 215,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not exceeding 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was parked; however, upon inspection, the contact became aware that there were damages on top of the front driver’s side ball joint, the rear driver’s side axle leaf spring shackle, and the driver’s side overload spring. Additionally, there were metal fragments found in the engine oil, and a diagnostic scan retrieved DTC: P0087, P0471, U029D. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.

Filed Dec 12, 2024 · Steering · MD

Driving vehicle and lost the ability to steer. The inner drag link tie rod broke at pitman arm.

Filed Aug 28, 2023 · Body · 97,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 1 MPH, the front driver’s tie rod fractured and put a whole in the aluminum wheel. The contact who works as an independent mechanic completed the repair. The contact stated that a recall repair for the driver’s side outer tie rod had been completed in July 2019. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2019 · Steering · 143,500 miles · RI

We were turning around in a parking lot when we heard a bang come from the front of the truck. The steering wheel then had no resistance, we then put the truck in park, exited the vehicle, saw that the lower end of the steering drag link ball joint had sheared off. Then we parked the vehicle and waited for a tow.

Filed Dec 7, 2017 · Steering · 130,000 miles · AR

November, 2015, the tie rod assembly was replaced under recall on my 2012 ram 3500 diesel. On may 29, 2017 the tie rod assembly failed causing loss of steering control in the truck. Fortunately it was in town at 35 MPH and I was able to stop the vehicle without accident or injury. Ram service replaced the tie rod assembly but with the same type recall replacement parts that failed 2 1/2 years after replacement. I do not feel confident in the safety of this vehicle steering reliability.

Filed Dec 7, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 123,700 miles · AR

All 4 ball joints have required replacing within the first 4 years of the life of the truck.

Filed Aug 11, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 34,500 miles · MI

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.

Filed Oct 31, 2016 · Steering · 98,000 miles · RI

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.

Filed Jan 25, 2016 · Suspension · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 3500. While the vehicle was being reversed, the driver side lower ball joint that was attached to the pitman arm fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v529000 (steering). The VIN and failure mileage were unavailable.

Filed Dec 16, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 32,000 miles · MT

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

Filed Oct 1, 2015 · Steering · 119,000 miles · LA

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.

Filed Aug 17, 2015 · Steering · 38,000 miles · MN

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.