The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the vehicle was hauling a trailer while driving at 65 mph when a loud bang was heard and the steering wheel went in circles, which led the vehicle from the center lane into the median and hit the guard rail. The rear driver's side corner of the vehicle was damaged and the front driver and front passenger side of the trailer were damaged from the collision. The contact and passenger did not sustain injuries and medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The vehicle and trailer were towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure after the tie rod assembly and steering linkage were replaced in October 2020 by an independent mechanic. The contact had also received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign numbers: 09E001000 (Steering) and 13V528000 (Steering), after the repair in October 2020. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,660.
Dodge Ram ball joint problems
66 of the 3,966 owner complaints about the Dodge Ram describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 66
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical repair cost reported
- $880
- typical mileage
- 40,000
By model year
Often reported together
Power steering loss 5Pulling 4Grinding brakes 4Harsh shifting 2Check engine light 2ABS 2
What owners say
Took my 2008 dodge ram 1500 4wd in for oil change and was told that the left and right outer tie rods were severely worn out and needed to be replaced. This is at 35,500 miles, truck is only used on road and has never been off road. Seems this is a common early wearout item on these trucks. Why?
After backing out of my garage, at an approx. Speed of 1 MPH, I turned the wheels to the left to run an errand, and the drivers side tie rod end broke. The drag link dropped and the wheel cocked to the full left. At this point I don't know if it caused any other damage. I spoke with the nearest dealer and was told that there are no recalls on this vehicle at this time. Unfortunately I need this vehicle and had to order a new tie rod end at a cost of $116.00. Bearing any other damage, I will also have to get an alignment, at an unknown cost at this time. Thank god that I had not been traveling at a higher rate of speed when this part decided to fail, because I am sure the outcome would not have been good.
The left tie rod end dropped off my vehicle while backing into my driveway. There have been recalls issued on similar trucks. Dodge offers no help on my vehicle because recalls are VIN specific. To repair the cost was $1062. If dodge hadn't redesigned the parts, my cost would have been $0 due to the 3 year/36,000 mile "bumper to bumper" warranty we purchased with the truck. (it was a used truck when we purchased it.) why haven't all of these trucks been recalled for this issue? I suppose the fact that there have been no deaths or major property damage will be the reason. This is a major hit to me and my family. We need the truck. We need the $1000 it cost to repair. Dodge says the only way they can help me is if the federal safety agency expands the recall. I know that won't happen but would you please think about me and my family's dilemma the next time you issue a non-life threatening recall. I thought recalls were all inclusive. Guess I thought wrong. Thanks for listening.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tie rod on the front drivers side detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The contact expressed concern over a potential crash if the failure occurred while driving. The failure mileage was 84,000. Updated 08/31/11
2008 dodge ram. Consumer expresses discontent with several problems with vehicle *tgw the u-joint, tie rod, steering linkage and axle all had to be replaced. The consumer stated most recently, the check engine light illuminated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram. While driving approximately 35 MPH she heard rattling in the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on two separate occasions. The front stabilizer end links and the shock brackets were replaced. Also the tie rods were replaced at an authorized dealer. The technician stated the failure was related to the recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 09e001000 (steering;linkages). However, the VIN was excluded from recall defect. The failure mileage was 25,000. The current mileage was 41,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram. The contact stated that the tie rods are faulty. She took the vehicle to the dealer, but they did not have the necessary part to repair the vehicle. They stated that they would notify the contact when the part arrived. The vehicle failed inspection due to the tie rods. She believes that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. The dealer stated that the vehicle could be driven in the interim, but could not guarantee her safety. The vehicle is still under warranty and is currently at the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 34,368.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. The contact purchased the vehicle brand new and discovered the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v005000 (steering: linkages: tie rod assembly). The manufacturer stated that they were not aware of this recall. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 212.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram. While driving 65 MPH on normal road conditions, the vehicle unexpectedly wandered to the left. This was a sudden change in direction. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the tires exhibited excessive wear. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the grease seal was leaking. The grease seal, steering linkages, and both tie rod ends were replaced. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 09e001000 (steering;linkages), although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 12,798 and current mileage was 13,534.
Related recalls
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks equipped with a camper package and overload springs. The rear axle spacer plate could lead to deformation of the upper spring plate during assembly of the axle to the vehicle resulting a soft joint.
- Risk
- The soft joint could cause the rear axle u-bolts to lose clamp load, resulting in displacement of the rear axle and a loss of vehicle control. This could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the spacer plates and the spring plates will be replaced. Owner notification began february 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V008000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks. The upper control arms attached with cadmium coated nuts can cause the bolts to stretch due to the application of a higher than specified clamp load. Breakage of the upper control arm fasteners could cause the axle to rotate forward under braking conditions.
- Risk
- This rotation could twist the steering linkage and possibly separate the brake lines, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the upper control arm bolts and nuts.
Recall number 00V307000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The welds at the right side lower control arm bracket to axle tube attachment may have inadequate fatigue life due to poor weld quality. This can lead to separation of the control arm bracket from the axle tube.
- Risk
- If the bracket separates the vehicle could experience reduced directional stability, braking degradation and/or vehicle pull under braking.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front axle with a properly welded front axle.
Recall number 00V007000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: shock absorber
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. (2500 and 3500 series 4x4 regular cab pickup produced before march 21, 1995; 2500 and 3500 series 4x4 club cab pickup produced before june 8, 1995; and 3500 series 4x2/4x4 chassis cab trucks produced before june 21, 1995). The front suspension spring/shock towers can crack and eventually separate from the vehicle frame. The shock tower could damage the rear wheel brake lines resulting in loss of rear brake system pressure.
- Risk
- This would create the potential for increased stopping distances.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the spring/shock tower and any vehicles exhibiting cracking will have the tower replaced. Vehicles that are do not show any cracking will have a weld-on reinforcement added.
Recall number 99V214000 · Recall details
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- The front suspension track bar bracket attachment has inadequate fatigue strength and can fail, causing front axle vibration.
- Risk
- This can result in loss of steering control and an accident.
- Remedy
- A front suspension track bar bracket reinforcement strut will be installed.
Recall number 94V202000 · Recall details
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- The front suspension track bar has inadequate fatigue strength.
- Risk
- Failure of the track bar can result in front axle vibration and loss of steering control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front suspension track bar.
Recall number 94V097000 · Recall details
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- Front suspension track bar attachment to the axle may not be adequately tightened.
- Risk
- Loss of the track bar attachment can cause axlevibration and directional control difficulty which could result in loss ofvehicle control and an accident.
- Remedy
- Tighten front suspension track bar axle attachment to the specified torque.
Recall number 93V173000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Ram ball joint
Which Dodge Ram years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (12 complaints), 2000 (9 complaints) and 1996 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Dodge Ram?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $880 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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