2013 Ram 1500: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 132,000 miles · MO

Component or system that failed / malfunctioned The brake system (pads, calipers, hydraulic fluid) failed three times in less than 90 days. The right-side tie rod end also separated from the steering assembly. Both components are available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk The brakes repeatedly lost all stopping power while driving, with the pedal going to the floor and the reservoir emptying within minutes. On one occasion, the brake pads and caliper fell off the wheel assembly, confirmed by the dealer’s own shop manager. The tie rod failure caused uneven tire wear and a highway blowout, forcing an emergency tow. These issues placed me, my child, and other drivers at risk of a serious crash. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center? Yes. Premier Auto (the dealer’s affiliated garage) confirmed and attempted repairs three times. On the third visit, the shop manager (Mike) stated that the brake pads were so low they had fallen off, causing the calipers to overextend and leak. Has the vehicle/component been inspected by others? Yes. Premier Auto inspected and repaired the brakes multiple times. Dobbs Tire & Auto later inspected after the blowout and diagnosed additional electrical issues. Documentation, invoices, and photos are available. Were there warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms? The brake warning light illuminated and the pedal sank to the floor during failures. No prior warning lamps appeared before the tie rod separation or blowout. The failures occurred suddenly while driving.

Filed Sep 19, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · FL

While performing a left-hand U-turn across three lanes and into the far right-hand 4th turning lane, at less than 15mph my 2013 Ram 1500's power steering failed and jerked the wheel out of my hands back towards the neutral position. This action forced me across all the lanes and into the curb on the right edge of the 4th lane which was the turning lane that I was trying to reach. When I finally got the vehicle off the curb and was able to get the vehicle into the parking lot I was originally going to, the power steering seamed to operate breifly as long as the wheel was turned slowly and under speeds less than 10mph, so I limped it home. This however was short lived by the end of the next day I had totally lost all power steering assist and had to fight the wheel to turn at all. This led to having the electronic power steering rack assembly replaced at a local shop adding up to a total of $4943.55 US dollars. After receiving my 2013 Ram 1500 from the shop I began to experience heavy vibrations felt through the steering wheel and pedals. The vibration was caused by the damaged front passenger wheel hub which cost a further $400 plus dollars in parts and labor. The electronic power steering rack assembly had to be turned in for a core charge and is unavailable for inspection but had signs of water intrusion according to the shop. The associated bushings, tie rod ends and wheel hubs were either discarded or turned in for additional charges and are unavailable for inspection. My safety was threatened when the steering gave out mid turn while I was crossing oncoming traffic in the three through traffic lanes. The "service power steering" warning light did illuminate when the power steering failed and the initial impact with the curb occurred then went away after stopping. However, the "service power steering" light returned the next day. The electronic power steering rack was verified to be the cause of the failure at the local service center that performed the repairs.

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Steering · 128,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the steering wheel became extremely firm. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the tie rod and the front brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact believed that the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V287000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

Filed Apr 15, 2024 · Steering · TX

I had to replace my Rack and Pinion and tie rods because my steering wouldn't work and my truck only has 51,744k miles on it. This makes no sense to me. This should be a recall issue.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Acceleration, Steering · TX · crash

I was driving and slowing down to 45 mph going through Corrigan, TX on 59. The truck all the sudden accelerated pulling to the left, then all of a sudden slammed to the right and went over a curb. I had no steering control and my foot was all the way down on the brakes to try and stop. I'm lucky it didn't happen 20 min before when 75mph was speed limit. The a frame broke, Ball joints, broke rack and pinion, cracked the weld that holds the a frame to the truck, and I'm not sure what else is broken yet. My rim and tire both need to be replaced. The aluminum broke straight across. This should not have happened and could have gotten me and others killed. I am getting the truck taken to dodge to find out what all broke and how much it is going to cost. I should not have to pay for this. This should never happen and it put me and everyone around me in danger. I am still a nervous wreck from this.

Filed Nov 22, 2021 · Driver assistance, Steering · MA · crash

To: I have a 2013 ram 1500 4x4 my miles 48,000 .Generally safety defect the drive shaft column, lower steering shaft column intermediate. Like all Bushings control arms, ball joint and lower ,upper, bar links , etc.The defects components fall apart easy to the bolts, nuts, rubber bushing. Its a problem for poses a very risk to all drivers on road. Definitely it should bring ATTENTION to all 2013 ram 1500 4x4 an all ram Chrysler can recall so it can repair and very safe for all drivers , families whenever in all vehicles. Anyway I will park my ram in the driveway, when if it recalls the vehicle and drive for it safe !!!!!! Thank You From A VERY SAFE DRIVER!!!!!

Filed Dec 8, 2020 · Airbags, Seat belts · 97,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 ram 1500. The contact stated that while making a left turn at low speeds, the steering wheel failed to re-align to drive straight. The contact veered off the road and crashed into the rear of another vehicle causing the front driver tire, lower ball joint separated from the steering knuckle, inner tie rod end, shock assembly and lower control arm to detach. The vehicle was restarted and the steering resumed to normal but due to the front driver side damage, it needed to be towed. The contact mentioned that the power steering failed on several occasions while driving at low speeds. The air bag failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to restrain him. As a result, the contact hit his face and wrist against the steering wheel and windshield glass. The contact mentioned he would be going to the hospital for his injuries. The other driver was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The dealer nor manufacturer were informed of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Filed Dec 7, 2020 · Steering · 70,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving and he stopped to make a left hand turn. The power steering malfunctioned and continued to turn the vehicle to the left. The contact attempted to correct the turn since oncoming traffic was headed that way and vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle. There were no injuries that required hospitalizing. A police report was not filed. The vehicle's entire front was damaged with the fender. The grill, the headlights, the bumper and the two front control arms were damaged. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The dealer balley car planet 14329 victory blvd, van nuys, ca 91401 (818) 892-1422 denied any help because they said the vehicle's warranty had expired. The manufacturer offered a tradein to the contact for a new truck. The failure mileage was 70,000. There were three other recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was being repaired by the contact. *dt

Filed Oct 10, 2017 · Electrical, Suspension · GA

2013 dodge ram 1500. Consumer writes in regards to transmission shifts hard, tire balance issues, clock, ignition malfunction and other mechanic problems. *smd the consumer stated the clock and ignition switch were repaired. The upper ball joints failed. The dealer offered to assist with repairs for the tires, but the consumer declined. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for repairs made,to be advised about warranties, and a replacement vehicle. Updated 10/10/2017

Filed Jun 29, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 35,000 miles · FL · crash

The passenger side front wheel bearing was iniquitously greased at time of manufacture, causing failure without warning,and the front wheel came off, damaging the upper and lower control arms,break caliper,rotor, hub and wheel assembly, causing the truck to go out of control with no breaks. I have observed similar complaints on makeitsafer.com ,this is a lie safety issue and could have caused a fatal accident had this happened on the highway. Fortuitously it happened on a city street at 35 MPH, with no warning

Filed May 6, 2017 · Suspension · 32,245 miles · OH

While slowly backing down the driveway of my home and turning into the street, I heard a loud bang which seemed to come from the front of the vehicle. I proceeded to put the vehicle into drive and slowly drove the truck back into driveway when at that time the right front tire broke away from the vehicle. The right lower control arm had broke in half where it was attached to the ball joint. After inspecting the broken part I noticed an abnormality and concluded there was a manufacturing (casting) defect at the factory which compromised the integrity of the part.this was also concluded by the ram dealer where I had the vehicle inspected and repaired. Part was returned to chrysler for evaluation.

Filed Jul 27, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 3,000 miles · PA

There is a loud "click" noise inside of the front drivers side wheel. It occurs when the vehicle has the wheel completely turned to one direction which makes me believe it's steering or something inside the suspension. It was told to me at the dealership that it was a ball joint, which was replaced and it still happened again.