The track bar mounts have all the welds cracked and it causes the truck to shake uncontrollably and is very dangerous. I have almost crashed twice due to this problem. I see that fca currently has a recall for this exact problem r46, my truck falls within the model and years but for some reason is not covered under the recall. I noticed the problem driving on the highway at 60 MPH the truck began to shake in a violent and uncontrollable manner all the cars around me slammed their brakes to stay away. I was able to brake down to 20 MPH when the shaking stopped. I pulled over to the emergency lane to examine my truck and noticed the cracked welds on the track bar mount. I need to have this fixed under the recall as this is a huge safety problem for my self and my fellow drivers I share the road with.
2013 Ram 2500 steering problems
31 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 35,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 31
- of this car's complaints
- 17%
- typical mileage
- 35,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ram 2500 steering problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Steering loss due to linkage separation
On December 17, 2018, the federal safety agency's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 18-016 to investigate the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA). Four complaints were received alleging separation of the drag link, a steering linkage that connects between the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft. The failures were found to be at a threaded coupler within the drag link used for adjusting the length of the linkage during routine maintenance (alignment) of the steering system.Once separation occurs, turning the steering wheel has no effect, and there is no way for the driver to control or maintain the direction of the vehicle. During the investigation, it was determined that the same threaded coupler was used on two different drag link designs FCA manufactured on MY 2013-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups. FCA refers to the designs as either 4x2 or 4x4 style. In both designs, the coupler is prevented from turning on the drag link via two jam nuts that are tightened against the coupler. In its response to the federal safety agency's March 15, 2019, Information Request (IR) letter, FCA identified 48 incidents alleging separation of the steering linkage at the coupler resulting in a loss of steering control. Of those, 13 involved a crash, one of which resulted in an injury. All of the separations involved the 4x4 style drag link. Additionally, FCA's IR response refers to over 300 4x4 style equipped vehicles that experienced, or may have experienced loosening of one or more coupler jam nuts. On January 25, 2019, FCA submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) initiating the federal safety agency Recall No. 19V‑021. In its DIR, FCA stated that the outboard jam nut in certain MY 2013-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 could loosen potentially resulting in damage to the coupler and/or drag link threading allowing one end of the drag link to separate. The DIR notes that drag link separation results in loss of steering control, which in turn can cause a crash without warning. FCA's DIR did not identify a root cause for the defect, however it posits that an improperly torqued outboard jam nut could loosen, and with long-term vehicle use, cause damage to the outer link bar and/or coupler threads due to relative motion between the two components. The scope of Recall 19V‑021 included vehicles with the 4x4 style drag link only. Also discussed in its IR response, FCA noted that the 4x2 style drag link contains a design difference (the outboard portion of the drag link is straight while the 4x4 style contains a bend) which it suggests may result in differences in the mechanical (bending) loads presented at the coupler and jam nut interface. Moreover, the DIR states that While root cause of the 4x4 style defect has not been established, FCA US believes that bending loads on the drag link is, at least, a causal contributing factor. FCA notes it did not identify any reports alleging 4x2 style separation as well as only three reports of loosening of jam nuts, two of which resulted in loosening that provided obvious warning to the vehicle operator, indicating a different failure mode.the federal safety agency is upgrading this investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 19-004 in order to continue to monitor the subject 4x2 style vehicles for evidence of field failures. Additionally, in conjunction with the federal safety agency's Vehicle Research and Test Center, ODI intends to more thoroughly study potential root cause(s) of the 4x4 style defect mechanism, and if identified, will seek to determine if the 4x2 drag link is susceptible to the same mechanism(s). the federal safety agency will also evaluate the long-term suitability of the recall
PE18016
What 2013 Ram 2500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On three separate occasions recently, the steering on my 2013 dodge 2500 exhibited a violent shaking when I hit a small linear ridge on the interstate while traveling at the posted speed limit such as going over a bridge or the line from asphalt installed over old concrete sections.. This violent shaking almost sent the truck off the road and only stopped when I slowed down below 30 MPH. I have taken the truck to the dodge dealer and also a local garage and the drag link is bent and the tie-rod ends have to be replaced. The vehicle has never been in an accident. I was told the bent drag link was a result of the violent shaking called the "death wobble". The cost to repair the steering system is over $2200 and this truck only has 126,000 miles on it.
Experiencing "death wobble" when speeds reach 50-55mph when driving on highway.
Steering became extremely loose. It became so loose that if I hit a bump I would end up in the next lane of traffic. The upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, and the entire steering linkage were replaced and the problem didnt get better. I had nearly 6 inches of play in the steering wheel. I'd appreciate if something was done for this so no more people have to go through this headache or safety issue.
While driving on interstate 84 in hartford, ct I hit a slight bump after they were resurfacing the road at about 50 miles per hour. The entire truck shook violently from the suspension into the steering wheel. Felt like all 4 tires were about to come out from under the truck. Luckily I was able to veer to the nearest exit and come to a complete stop. I took the truck onto a side road and visually inspected the undercarriage. Nothing seemed loose or seemed to have any play. The truck only has 58000 miles and I have never experienced this prior. Extremely nervous to bring this 3/4 ton up to highway speeds again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a "death wobble" while driving 55 MPH. Also, the steering wheel shook so violently that the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would shake even when it struck a small bump in the road, which caused it to drive into a ditch on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to autonation chrysler dodge jeep ram spring (21027 I-45, spring, tx 77388, (281) 715-6927). The dealer stated that they were aware of the failure, but there was no remedy. The contact called the manufacturer, but was unable to speak with anyone. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 3,500.
I was traveling along I-25 about 75-80 MPH when the steering got extremely tight so I started to slow down and when I did so I found out there was little to no brakes. Once I coasted to the edge of the interstate the truck started to overheat really fast so I shut it off. I opened the hood and examined the motor and found that the water pump shaft had snapped off because the water pump failed. When it happened my truck lost everything that is turned off of the serpintine belt which includes power steering pump all hydraulic system for my master cylinder and cooling system. There was no warning that the pump was going to fail and at 75 MPH it was amazing that nothing catastrophic happened with no steering or brakes. I have researched and found there is a recall for the water pump on my truck but it doesnt mention anything about it failing like mine did with 40,000 miles on it.
Had a death wobble in may of 2017. I was knocked off the road during a school camping trip at 60 miles an hour on a mountain pass. Luckily I managed to stop the vehicle before rolling over. Dealer fixed upper and lower ball joint and trac bar. The wobble is now back and I am deathly afraid to drive it. I live in the mountains of colorado and I use the truck to pull a large boat. If it happens on a mountain pass...I am dead!
Steering damper on my 2013 ram 2500 (50k miles) is in need of replacing. This damper clunks while driving. I have researched other ram trucks of this model and most are having the same issue and is apparent the steering damper - connects from steering wheel shaft to steering box is faulty. The two lugs on the damper have struck the ends of the slots and have pronounced metal to metal contact. My concern if not replaced by ram, this could fault causing loss of steering resulting to personal injury up to including death of the driver and passengers. I have taken this issue into jeep/chry/ram service on several occasions and they decided to replace my ball joints at approx. 25k miles ??? Recommend the federal safety agency to look into this matter as a manufacture defect and will not be replaced free of charge unless pushed as a recall item.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 2500. While driving between 25-30 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Sunset motors incorp (located at 2218 sunset blvd, steubenville, oh 43952, (740) 264-1696) was notified, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 15,997.
Questions about the 2013 Ram 2500 steering
Does the 2013 Ram 2500 have steering problems?
Owners have filed 31 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Ram 2500, 17% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2013 Ram 2500 steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 35,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Ram 2500 steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ram 2500 have bad steering?
The Ram 2500 model years with the most steering complaints are 2014 (87 complaints), 2018 (87 complaints) and 2017 (49 complaints).
Other 2013 Ram 2500 problems
Engine 47Electrical 41Fuel system 30Suspension 23Transmission 22Acceleration 14Brakes 9Airbags 8Body 5Lights 5Visibility 5Wheels 3Driver assistance 2Seat belts 2
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