The steering wheel locked up when the consumer attempted to turn the steering wheel. The dealer stated there was nothing they could do. Mr scc
2001 Dodge Ram steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 53, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The steering wheel turned halfway around while driving, upon inspection, consumer noticed the 2 bolts on the steering box were loose and 1 bolt had completely broken.
The steering wandered to the left uncontrollably.
The vehicle experienced a power steering fluid leak.*ak
While driving, consumer turned the steering wheel but tires did not turn. Thus, resulting in a accident. Dealer notified. Please provide additional information. Ph
The steering has lots of play preventing the owner from keeping straight directional control. "consumer was told that the steering track bar", needs to be replaced due to the loss of steering. Please describe details. Ts
While traveling on the highway the key to the vehicle got caught inside of the steering column. Almost causing a accident please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts
Consumer states that while driving at 55 MPH the consumer lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road causing damage to the front and rear of the vehicle and also bent the frame. Contacted dealer and the dealer has taken a look at the vehicle but yet they are not willing to do anything. Nlm
The steering wheel has a constant tension to the left and causes strain to the drivers arm. *yh
Steering column problems have been reported 5 times, repaired 4 times in which the clock spring (safety recall 982) was replaced 2 times. Left outer mirror vibrates at highway speeds impairing visibility when merging with traffic. Truck is not safe for highway use. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis***764311
Consumer states that the steering has slack or play in it.
Vehicle steers too quickly. Unable to control steering wheel.*ak vehicle was repaired per technical service bulletin and is still not operating normally.
On several occasions, while driving, consumer states clutch seized and vehicle stalled. Dealer replaced clutch assembly and flywheel and found clutch disc burned out. Customer states the transmission clunks when shifting. Customer states vehicle will buck when attempting to start in 1st gear. Vehicle shudders when driving and customer has completely lost clutch.*tt
Power steering failed to operate intermittently making the vehicle hard to steer, contacted dealer, and dealer indicated it was normal for power steering not to operate at all times.*ak
Two times while backing out of my garage my power steering and brakes went out. The first time resulted in a power steering fluid leakage. After ten minutes the truck was able to be driven to the dealer where the power steering pump was replaced. The second time I was also backing out of my garage and lost both the power steering and power brakes. This time the manufacturer had to have the truck hauled to the dealer. The power steering pump was replaced. Dealer told me that the brakes and steering are run off the same gearing on the front of the engine. This truck seems to require constant correction to the steering to minimize wander.
Vehicle is difficult to steer, wanders all over the road. Dealer replaced steering box 3 times, did not remedy the problem.
When starting vehicle in cold weather and when depressing brakes consumer would have to apply force to pedal to stop vehicle. *ak the power assist system does not work and power brakes and power steering fails as the result. The dealer and the manufacturer were unable to determine the cause.
When starting vehicle in cold weather it loses all power steering causing the hydroboost system and power brake system to disengage, dealer has been contacted. *ak
Steering wheel locked up at 60 MPH. Consumer was not able to make a right turn. Dealer has determined that steering had to be replaced.
Track bar, premature excessive slack in steering, hard to keep in own lane especially on uneven paved surfaces( steering wandering). Rear axle u-bolts, loose on inspection causing shaking from the rear axle during acceleration and deceleration, bolts were retorked & problem reaccured after 20 miles, the bolts were loose again.
While driving on highway vehicle sways back and forth and hard to steer. Dealer contacted. *ak the dealer replaced steering box and did an alignment three times, but the problem was not corrected.
Total loss of steering and braking. Am in process of replacing power steering pump/brake vacuum pump (one unit) for the second time. At time of loss of steering and braking control was driving downhill with a full size camper on ice. Slid sideways and stopped in snowbank. Am afraid to drive vehicle after second incident. Know several drivers who have experienced same problem with 2001 dodge rams.
While driving 55-60 MPH steering wheel becomes very stiff and very hard to manage when trying to make turns.
Consumer heard a rattling noise under front of vehicle, while inspecting vehicle he noticed the lower control arm was rubbing on the driver side tire when turning steering wheel sharp to the left, dealer grinded off part of control arm, but it was still rubbing on the tire, dealer stated there was no remedy.*ak consumer also stated that the gear box was serviced.
Steering wander/drifting causes an unsafe condition while driving. Local dealer has temporarily fixed problem but the problem returned soon after the repair had been made. There is obviously a major problem with the steering and components with vehicles with diesel engines. When the steering components loosen up it causes a very dangerous driving condition requiring excessive steering wheel correction.
The steering on this truck is horrible. It wonders terribly from left to right at any speed. The driver has to constantly correct steering in order to make the vehicle travel in a straight line. This becomes very tiring on trips and presents a hazard during inclimate weather.
While traveling at highway speed, at anytime the steering would become inoperable. On the first 3 incedents a hard jerk of the steering wheel would break it free from its extremely tight condition. The truck would once again return to normal as if there was never a problem. After the first incedent I gave the truck's steering system a thorough check. Nothing seemed wrong or out of place.I tried to contact my local dodge dealer however the service department was not open on saturdays. Since the truck now seemed fine I attempted to go to my house in it. I drove 40-50 miles toward my home without a problem. Within 6 miles of home it occured again, just as it did the first time once again a hard jerk freed the wheel. Another check of the steering system revealed nothing, everything appeared to be fine. 1.5 miles later it happened again, I repeated the same process again. At this time I decided to slow down my speeds to 35-40mph to help avoid danger just to make it home and monday I would contact the local dodge dealer and have it towed back to town. However, upon approaching the next bend in the road I was unable to negotiate the curve resulting in a collision with a cluster of trees. I suffered only minor injuries common in that type of accident. Since then I contacted chrysler making a formal complaint, resulting in a independent investigator looking at my truck. I stress looking at it because that is all he did besides taking pictures of it. He never removed any component. I receive a letter from chrysler stateing that after a thorough investigation they concluded there was no manufactering flaw of any kind. My insurance company is doing next to nothing to help me in this matter. As of today (12-6-01) the truck is still in its wrecked condition at a local body shop. The truck should be totalled but the insurance adjuster wants to fix it despite a $22,000 estimate from a chrysler collision center.
Dealer replaced right side ball joint. However, steering wheel is locking up when turning left or right. Please provide any furhter information.
Truck has been in for service 8 times parts replaced and problem still remains. Truck has also been altered from original specs . I feel vehicle is unsafe.
Vehicle fishtails at 60mph, re-alignment, problem still exists, steering is difficult and dangerous, replaced gear box, now the steering wheel locks.
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