Dodge/ram have been having this problem for years and it has become the "normal" for their trucks, but this the slack in the steering column is hardly acceptable. I have to constantly drive with my steering at 10 o'clock to drive straight (even after alignments) and quickly adjust 3-4 inches to adjust right if it suddenly starts pulling the other way. I have to constantly get my steering aligned as the left front tire's toe goes out every 6-9 months causing the truck to pull right very hard when braking. It is a constant "high-alert" status to drive because the slightest wind change, pavement texture, or even motorcycle passing is enough to make the steering shift from pulling right to pulling left. This throws me into the left lane sometimes, which puts my life and those around me at risk. This is a fairly new truck and was doing it when I bought it. I though nothing of it as it was still in warranty bit several ram dealerships in multiple states have said they couldn't find anything and that it is "normal." I find that chrysler is negligent to their customers and put people's lives on the line. I have a 2017 ram 1500 for my company work truck and it does the exact same thing, but pulls the opposite direction. It only has 5000 miles when it started developing slack in the steering. Chrysler refuses to spend the extra .02 cents per vehicle to put a reliable steering vibration damper in the steering column. The more I research, the more I find that this has been going on for decades across multiple generations of ram trucks. Chrysler needs to be put out of business for this reckless disregard for the people that drive their trucks. From what I have researched, about 50% of their trucks develop this problem. Problem is noticeable while stationary, and driving at all speeds. Worse at highway speeds and while pulling loads.
2016 Ram 2500 steering complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 43 of 43, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The recommended pressure for front axle tires is 60 psi, with axle load rating of 5500 pounds. The recommended pressure for rear axle tires is 80 psi with axle rating of 6500 pounds. According to firestone, the manufacturer of the factory installed tires, the pressure required for even rear axle max load weight rating is 70 psi. For normal load of 3000 to even 5000 pounds on the rear axle, 50 psi is more than adequate according to firestone. At 50 psi a load range e tire can carry 2680 pounds, giving an axle capacity of 5360--well over the daily weight for most non-commercial drivers. Over inflated tires not only wear poorly, they are dangerous. Over inflation greatly reduces the tread patch that contacts the road surface, causes excessive and unnecessary bouncing, increases the risk of tire damage from pot holes, and basically provides for an unsatisfactory driving experience. I'm certain the engineers at ram are aware of these facts because in previous years they provided for both light and heavy service inflation. It is utterly unacceptable and grossly negligent for ram to recommend, and basically require, that owners operate their 7000 pound vehicles on tires inflated to carry over 13000 pounds. Ram is causing possibly millions, certainly hundreds of thousands of truck owners, to unwittingly endanger themselves and others on highways around the country with these dangerous tire inflation recommendations.
B/t 15-20 MPH, the engine shuts off. No warning, no noise, oil pressure gauge goes to nothing, and rpms drop to 0. I loose control of steering as well. Everything else has power to it (radio, lights, etc work) has happened 4 times, 3 in a row, spent 2 days at dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong. Happened the 4th time and I have it on video. Its going back to the dealer on monday for them to try again. Chrysler dodge is aware of it, and hasn't called to speak with me or returned my phone calls, its been 2wks.
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