The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Dodge RAM 3500 steering lock-up problems
18 of the 3,084 owner complaints about the Dodge RAM 3500 describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2011 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 2011
- typical mileage
- 45,600
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20116
- 20101
- 20082
- 20071
- 20062
- 20051
- 20041
- 20031
- 19983
Often reported together
Engine failure 8Ball joint 3No deployment 2Tire blowout 1Pulling 1Loss of power 1
What owners say
Steering wheel locked while vehicle was being driven at approximately 60mph. All other systems functioned normally. With about 2' of play in locked steering wheel vehicle made it to road shoulder. Restarted vehicle 3 times but steering wheel remained locked. Put car in "D" and "R" successfully and vehicle would move normally but steering wheel remained locked. All other electrical and mechanical systems function normally. No warning lights on dash were displayed. Called LIthia Dodge in Bryan/College Station(where vehicle was eventually towed). They suggested disconnect battery for 15" and system might reset. It did not. I disconnected Battery a 2nd time for about a minute. Steering still locked. Vehicle towed to Lithia where they willmlook at it Tuesday September 7, 2021. This had never happened before.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning and the steering wheel was extremely difficult to maneuver in either direction. Performance automotive group (2710 airport rd, jackson, mi 49202, (517) 789-7151) diagnosed that the intermediate steering shaft and u joint were faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the power steering seized when making turns at slow speeds. The vehicle was taken to thomas chrysler dodge jeep (67791 mall rd, st clairsville, oh 43950, (877) 268-3302) and they upgraded and replaced the steering box, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they replaced the power steering pump to troubleshoot the failure. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and they would not assist. The failure mileage was 46,000. *tt consumer stated power steering goes out and cannot turn.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and resumed driving to his residence. In addition, each time the vehicle drove over a bump, the front end shook violently and the tires wobbled. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. While driving at 55 MPH, the contact heard a noise and the vehicle veered to the right. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fan belt and other multiple parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 13v528000 (steering), 14v795000 (electrical system), and 14v817000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 3500. While driving at approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who repaired the vehicle under the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 13v529000 (steering) and 11v3500000 (steering); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle exhibited a loud pop sound as the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the mechanic diagnosed that the tie rod was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer stated that the part needed to repair the vehicle under the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v529000 (steering) would not become available until april 4, 2014. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
While traveling at about 35 MPH, I felt the right side shake. At first I thought I had tire failure but notice I could not control the vehicle as the steering locked up. When applying the brakes the vehicle veered to the left and came to rest on the left side shoulder of the road. The tie rod separated were the ball came out of the joint. The tie rod end wedge against the tire causing the locked up steering. The road was wet and when applying the brakes caused the left tire to lock up which made the vehicle veered to the left. This vehicle had current recalls up to date.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and exiting a residential driveway, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed that there was an unknown bar lying on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the tie rod assembly failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 17,400.
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 3500 steering lock-up
Which Dodge RAM 3500 years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2011 (6 complaints), 1998 (3 complaints) and 2006 (2 complaints).
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