Dodge Ram steering lock-up problems

16 of the 3,966 owner complaints about the Dodge Ram describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 1995 model year.

owner complaints: 16
worst model year: 1995

Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

2001
3
2000
1
1999
3
1998
2
1997
1
1996
2
1995
3
1990
1

Often reported together

Power steering loss 2 Fire or smoke 1 Brake failure 1 No deployment 1

What owners say

Filed Apr 10, 2003 · Steering · OR

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

Filed Apr 11, 2002 · Steering · CA

While driving and upon pressing on brakes steering wheel completely locked. Vin number was ran found that the vehicle had been in an accident. Took to dealer. Problem still not remedied. Driving once again in vehicle and steering locked up again. Dealer refused to deal with consumer. Please provide any further information.

Filed Mar 13, 2002 · Steering · WA

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.

Filed Aug 20, 2001 · Steering · NY

Vehicle fishtails at 60mph, re-alignment, problem still exists, steering is difficult and dangerous, replaced gear box, now the steering wheel locks.

Filed Jul 9, 2001 · Electrical · NY

I purchased my truck brand new in nov. Of 1998 with approx. 10 miles on it. After about 6 months of ownership, we started having problems with the truck quitting for no apparent reason. We have taken the truck into several different dealerships for the same problem over the past 2 years, and each time the vehicle was sent home with us unfixed, telling us that they could not get the truck to duplicate the problem. The problem with thisis that the problem is intermitent. It may quit today, and not again for 2 months, or it may quit today and again tomorrow. We have had the truck in approx. 6-8 times since we purchased it brand new for the same problem, yet unfixed every single time. The truck has had to be towed to a dealership 3x as it quit and wouldn't restart. When the truck quits, the engine simply quits and everything shuts off and the steering wheel locks up. You have no steering control what-so-ever. When it quits, sometimes the truck restarts after about 5 minutes, others times it doesn't restart. As I stated, we have had to have it towed 3x as it wouldn't restart. I am very frustrated at this point. I have called chrysler and complained everytime the truck has cut out. They gave me a file number and simply take the complaint again, thats all they do. I have requested for a chrysler rep. Help the service tech. Solve the problem, my request was denied. I have begged for someone from chrysler assist the dealership in finding the problem, no one came out. I wrote them a certified mail letter explaining to them the seriousness of this problem after my wife and I were traveling back from ga after I had graduated from a military school and we almost killed on the interestate because the truck cut out going 65 miles per hour. I vered the truck to the left side of the median on the interstate which is the only place for me to go. Thank god there was not a dip in the median or I am afraid I would not be sitting here today writing this letter to you. Please help me!!!!

Filed Apr 2, 2001 · Steering · FL · crash

While driving 65-70 MPH steering locked, vehicle skidded into tree. After inspecting vehicle mechanic stated steering knuckle had broken and could have caused steering to lock, and in turn accident.

Filed Mar 21, 2001 · Steering · CA

Gear box broke and power steering locked up while leaving parking lot which could have caused loss of control . Dealer replaced gear box and power steering pump. Please provide further information.

Filed Aug 31, 2000 · Engine, Steering · RI

While driving steering wheel locked up where manifold fell off on top of the frame, jaming the steering shaft.

Filed Jul 31, 2000 · Airbags, Brakes · WI · crash

While traveling at 24 to 30 MPH consumer tried to turn and steering wheel was locked. Consumer tried to brake there were no brakes. Vehicle hit a pole, and airbags didn't deploy. When consumer contacted dealer for a recall letter received. Dealer had no parts available. Consumer felt this accident was caused because recall problem was not corrected. *ak while waiting for recall parts to arrive at dealer for steering wheel and column the steering wheel locked up causing accident.

Filed Jul 24, 2000 · Steering · KS

While driving steering malfunctioned, causing vehicle to move to right and left, which may cause a loss of control. Also, while turning to left, the steering wheel would lock in place. Dealer could not determine the cause of the problem.*ak the steering wheel locking up has been solved by realignment and replacing some parts, but the wondering over the road is still not fixed.

Related recalls

Steering: linkages: tie rod assemblyReported December 24, 2010 · 15,271 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 4500 and 5500 vehicles. These vehicles may experience a weakening and fracture of the left ball stud on the tie rod resulting in the potential loss of steering.
Risk: Loss of steering control of the vehicle could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the left outer tie rod free of charge. The safety recall began on march 7, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 10V657000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluidReported December 7, 2010 · 62,166 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 dodge ram trucks manufactured from march 2009 through october 2010. Some vehicles equipped with diesel engine and a hydroboost brake system may be equipped with a power steering reservoir cap with excessive vent pressure levels that may result in brake pedals that are slow to return.
Risk: Brake lights that are slow to extinguish could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will replace the power steering reservoir cap free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 10V616000 · Recall details

Steering: electric power assist systemReported October 7, 2010 · 23,237 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 chrysler sebring, 300, charger (lx) and dodge challenger (lc), avenger (js), and journey (jc), as well as model year 2011 dodge ram light duty pickup (ds) vehicles. Some of these vehicles may experience a separation at the crimped end of the power steering pressure hose assembly.
Risk: Leaked power steering fluid onto hot engine components could cause a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on december 20, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 10V475000 · Recall details

Steering: steering wheel/handle barReported November 18, 1996 · 475,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: If the plastic pins and metal clip that retain the lower steering shaft in the upper shaft break, the lower steering shaft can separate from the upper shaft.
Risk: If the lower steering shaft separates from the upper shaft, loss of vehicle control can occur increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Remedy: Dealers will add a restraining sleeve to the intermediate steering shaft to limit the amount of axial steering column shaft moving in the event the plastic pins and metal clip are broken.

Recall number 96V230000 · Recall details

Steering: steering wheel/handle barReported May 12, 1995 · 78,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The steering wheel armature stamping can crack due to fatigue and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
Risk: This condition can cause separation of the center hub attachment to the steering column resulting in a loss of control and an accident.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for armature cracks and replace any wheels exhibiting cracks. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel separation if cracking occurs.

Recall number 95V089000 · Recall details

Steering: steering wheel/handle barReported May 12, 1995 · 293,043 vehicles affected

What is wrong: While making a turn, the extra keys on a vehicle operator's key ring can become temporarily lodged in the screw access holes in the back cover of the steering wheel.
Risk: This condition can hamper the steering wheel return orcause the ignition to be turned off, resulting in loss of vehicle control and an accident.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering wheel back cover with a redesigned cover.

Recall number 95V088000 · Recall details

Questions about the Dodge Ram steering lock-up

Which Dodge Ram years have steering wheel locks up problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1995 (3 complaints), 1999 (3 complaints) and 2001 (3 complaints).

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