Dodge RAM 3500 knocking problems

Filed Jul 5, 2018 · Transmission · 155,000 miles · AZ

My truck was in park but still running. I got out to shut the gate and the truck started to accelerate backwards, rolling through my gate, knocking down part of a neighbor's fence, over two cement parking stops and into a tree. When I got to the truck, it was still running and still in park.

Filed Feb 2, 2018 · Airbags · 180,000 miles · FL

Takata recalls driver and passenger airbags. They were both activated by the truck being backed into while sitting still thus knocking out the rear glass with no injuries to driver or passenger.

Filed Aug 17, 2017 · Steering, Transmission · 128,000 miles · TN

Two issues: 1: knocking sound when turning at parking lot speeds. I've replaced bushings, linkages, ball joints, and nothing helped. I replaced wheel hub assemblies and the knocking is reduced, but not fixed. Shop owners that drive the same truck say they've spent thousands of dollars on their own vehicles and can't pinpoint the front end noises either. 2:vibration under the vehicle, from the transfer case, through the drive shaft, to the rear differential. Diesel shop says it's a common issue for the seals to get worn out due to imbalanced drive shaft. However, the drive shaft didn't lose any weights and was fine for the fist 90,000 miles. This is a very common issue with dodge adam 2500 and 3500, according to the shop. At first I thought it was the tires, so I had them replaced and kept going to different shops, thinking that some may be better at balancing than others. There's a definite vibration between 45-55 MPH and then it's really bad at 69-75+ MPH. It's been getting worse for months and after replacing worn out seal on transfer case, it still isn't proper, but somewhat better. Shop said it's temporary and partial fix until I get the driveshaft balanced, but it has to be sent off for balancing and could take 3-4 days. I can't be without my truck for 3 days. I drove a ford for 300,000 miles with no issues in the steering nor in the drivetrain. I drove a chevy for 200,000 miles with zero issues that this dodge ram 3500 has.

Filed Oct 11, 2016 · Fuel system, Steering · 48,500 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 3500. While driving approximately 60 MPH over a bump in the road, the front end of the vehicle suddenly shook violently and vibrated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact heard a knocking noise when the steering wheel was turned in either direction. In addition, while driving, the vehicle suddenly would not accelerate. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel injector bump and lift bump were faulty and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,500.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Steering · 149,312 miles · CO · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 dodge ram 3500. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle started pulling to the left. While attempting to stop the vehicle, the power steering and brakes failed. As a result, the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a retaining wall. The air bags deployed, knocking the contact unconscious. The contact sustained lacerations to the nose and face, a concussion, bruising of the left shoulder, a head injury and a wrist injury that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 149,312.

Filed Jan 25, 2014 · Steering · 13,000 miles · IN

Received a recall in december 13v529000 dated 11/06/2013 on my ram 3500: took to dealer for inspection and the truck is one with the defective part. Dealer states that the parts are not available for repair and no estimated time of receipt, (put on list) at jeff wyler cdj in lawrenceburg, in. 47025.. This seems like a situation where the federal safety agency should step in and protect the public from this potential loss of steering and possible loss of life due to chrysler group llc.'s lack of concern for their customers. They should provide vehicles to the owners for use until they comply with the prescribed repairs of these ticking time bombs.

Filed Aug 12, 2013 · Steering · 56,000 miles · WA · crash · 2 injuries

Traveling at approx 40 down a straight street in town , apparently according to witnesses the truck sharply changed lanes into on coming traffic , side swiping one car went thru two residential fences and ended up stopping in shop/garage turned 90 degrees to the road we where traveling on . I was sited for neg 2 driving , because I couldn't recall what had happened . The truck was totaled . On the report we got from the ins. Co there was some info and to my disbelief was a paragraph about 2010 dodge rams 3500 being recalled for left tie rod failure . My wife luckily had taken lots of pictures of the scene of the accident , after some investigating on our part ( went and looked at the truck ) the left side tie rod was broken , we took pictures of the tie rod , and by looking at the tie rod there was no damage to it that would have caused it to fail , the pictures my wife took at the scene clearly show something dragging in the dirt on the driver side . My wife and I are currently seeing a local bone crusher ( chiropractor ) its his belief that the truck swerved hard enough that my head hit something knocking me unconscious , he said that would explain the tilted atlas that I am continuing fighting to this day , the chiropractor told me that when they take a head on head xray you should not be able to see your atlas on mine you can see over half of it , worst he's ever seen .we had been having front end problem and brought it to the local dealership . We also have docs from the dealership that would be of more evidence on the tie rod , they released the truck to us the day before the accident saying there was some problems with the tie rod and would be very unsafe to drive at this time , but no one said anything to us about how unsafe it was and not to drive it .

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. While parked, the contact noticed a ticking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. After some time the contact was driving approximately 25 MPH when the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician advised that the valve spring would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2012 · Engine · 98,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that he heard a knocking noise coming from the engine while driving at all speeds. The failure also occurred while stopped. The vehicle was taken to three different repair shops and the contact was informed that the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 98,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jan 11, 2012 · Steering · 56,000 miles · CA

Today while pulling into a parking stall I had a catastrophic steering failure. The drivers side steering tie rod stud fractured where it bolts into the knuckle. The tie rod dropped between the tire and suspension causing loss of steering control and the left wheel was no longer connected to the linkage. I searched several dodge enthusiast forums and it seems other owners have experienced similar failures. This truck was serviced approx 2 years ago at a local dodge dealership and the entire steering linkage was replaced because of loose and knocking steering when turning. The incident today required me to have the truck towed to my residence pending research and possible repair. This vehicle has not been involved in any situation where the steering linkage would have been damaged. I inspected the broken stud and it appears to have had a catastrophic failure of the metal. Any direction or assistance would be appreciated.