2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab: loss of power steering

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Engine · 81,086 miles · PA

2002 dodge ram 1500 4.7 engine defect defective cylinder heads, loss of oil pressure engine lock up with loss of power steering and power brakes I have found hundreds of reports of engine failure they most often start with a cylinder misfire and go from their.

Filed Aug 8, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · 88,000 miles · NH

At 65 MPH using cruise control, daytime, dry pavement, good weather, brake warning light and ABS warning light illuminated with warning chime. At next exit, operator took vehicle to repair shop. Technician found right front wheel bearing assembly worn, allowing tire/wheel assembly to be moved 1-2'' from vertical. Vehicle had been checked during state inspection less than 400 miles previously and passed. A total failure in traffic at speed might have resulted in a loss of handling/braking that might have caused or worsened an accident. Failed part is available. Vehicle has also suffered numerous premature failures including: failure of driver heated seat, failure of electric fuel pump, nearly causing accident due to engine stoppage and loss of power steering, failure of instrument cluster, failure of front suspension components, and damage to spare tire due to mis-routed tail pipe. Some of these are manufacturer design defects, others are troubleshooting or repair errors at dealer. Two events (fuel pump, wheel bearing) might have caused accident with injury/death possible outcome.

Filed Jun 18, 2006 · Steering · 72,000 miles · PA

For no apparent reason and without warning, the rack and pinion steering failed causing excessive leaking of power steering fluid and failure of the power steering. Dodge/chrysler denied any assistance to the issue. The vehicle is a 2002 dodge ram 1500 quad cab, 4.7 liter engine. 72,000 highway miles. It has come to my attention from the dealer that this is a common problem that can happen 2,000 miles to 200,000 miles indicating the continued use of a defective part. Despite my willingness to accept the labor costs of the repair chrysler refuses to assist with the cost of the $600.00 part. There is no after market part available due to the truck being "too new" according to the dealer. This part failed due to a manufacturing issue and not abuse on my part. The part can not be repaired and must be replaced since dodge/chrysler does not supply a parts package to repair the part. Due to this fact the part must be replaced and not repaired. This is also a great safety issue as the power steering leaked out without warning causing the loss of power steering. An accident could have resulted from the loss of power steering.

Filed Oct 15, 2003 · Electrical · 14,500 miles · TX

While driving during raining weather, the power steering became inoperable and the alternator died. Dealer stated that he heard about this problem, but could not reproduce it yet. *ak alternator light comes on and steering is stiff while driving through rain.*ts

Filed Aug 12, 2003 · Steering · 1 miles · ME

Truck bounces out of control when hitting small and large bumps in the road. Loss of steering control and very dangerous. Also, truck pulls to the right constantly. I was told by the dealer in waterville maine, that this is normal for a 4x4. Every time I bring it in for service, I complain, but I'm made to feel like it's all in my head. Once they replaced the rack, and tried new tires, but it made no difference. Under no circumstances can I release the steering wheel, and I'm hyperviglent of every approaching bump. Other people who have driven my truck, with me with them experience the same "normal problems". I've had the truck for just over a year now, and the problems haven't gotten worse, but remain constant. I will never buy another dodge product, and I am very unhappy with the treatment from the dealer. If I wasn't to lose so much money, I would have traded it in 3 months after I bought it. As far as I am concerned, this truck is a lemon. For several months after I bought this truck, I polled every owner of the same truck, when it was convienent, and I received more simalar problems than not.

Filed Aug 4, 2003 · Engine, Steering · 12,000 miles · TX

During heavy rain, or in a car-wash, or running through too large of a puddle of water, the serpentine belt begins slipping an excessive amount. It will slip enough to cause the gauge that is showing the charge level to drop noticeably, and it will sometimes drop to the point of no longer showing charging at all. At this point the check engine light is also displayed, and it is now necessary to turn the ignition off and restart the truck to reset the gauge and light and have it begin displaying properly again. During a heavy downpour of rain, this problem occurred again as I was going around a curve and the power steering failed. This is obviously due to the fact that the power steering pump is driven by this belt. Had there been another vehicle in the oncoming lane of traffic, I would have had an accident that I could not have prevented due to this failure. I am not satisfied with the answer that there is nothing that can be done to correct this problem. This is a truck, and it should be able to handle some water. If this problem truly exists in all trucks like mine, then it is only a matter of time before someone has a serious accident and files a lawsuit against dodge, or even a class-action suit if enough people are really affected by the same problem. Had I been in an accident when the power steering failed on my truck, Im certain that dodge would have been held liable for both my damages and whomever I had hit. The problem might be resolved by replacing all the pulleys with wider ones and then a wider serpentine belt, or it might be resolved by adding some type of splash guard, but that would probably not resolve the water coming through the grill. One of my employees has the new hemi dodge truck, and his belt is slightly wider, and he does not have this particular problem.