We were traveling on a highway doing 70mph and the whole truck started to shake really badly. My husband could not steer the vehicle safely, nor could he brake without losing control. He had to slow down until the shaking stopped. When we got back on the road, the vehicle did the same thing three times. This is known issue with Dodge, yet they don't have a fix for it. They call it the "death rattle"
2014 Ram 3500 steering problems
41 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 35,000.
- owner complaints
- 41
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 35,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ram 3500 steering problems in other years
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.
- Risk
- A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V06.
Recall number 19V021000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ram 2500 trucks and 2013-2014 Ram 3500 trucks and cab chassis manufactured October 9, 2012, to July 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have inadequate welds securing the front track bar frame brackets, which may result in the bracket components separating from the frame.
- Risk
- If the bracket components separate from the frame, the vehicle may be more difficult to steer and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket over the front track bar bracket. This recall began on February 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R46.
Recall number 15V541000 · Recall details
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 PE18016 to investigate alleged drag link failures in the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 trucks manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA).  The drag link failures were found to be due to a safety defect with the steering linkage where the drag link adjustable connector (used to adjust the steering system), held in position by two opposing jam nuts, can loosen.  The loosening of this part can lead to wear and deterioration of the threads and eventual separation of the drag link, causing loss of steering. During the course of PE18016, it was found that two styles of drag link were used by FCA on the subject vehicles.  The subject vehicles consist of two drivetrain types including four-wheel drive (4WD) and two-wheel drive (2WD). The 4WD and 2WD trucks used drag links of differing design but both incorporated the same threaded connector. In January 2019 FCA issued recall 19V‑021 to address a potential loss of steering control in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 4WD RAM 2500 and 3500 trucks. The trucks using the 2WD style drag link were not included in the scope of recall 19V‑021. ODI upgraded PE18016 to an Engineering Analysis EA19004 on December 12, 2019.  The purpose of EA19004 was to investigate if the root cause of the safety defect addressed by recall 19V‑201 also affected the 2WD trucks and evaluate FCAâs rationale for not including them. ODI also monitored incoming consumer complaints regarding the remedy associated with 19V‑021 and evaluated the suitability and long-term effectiveness of the prescribed repair. In the Defect Information Report submitted for recall 19V‑021, FCA stated that the outboard jam nut could loosen and result in damage to the threading of the steering drag link connector.  This could cause a separation in the drag link resulting in a loss of steering control.  FCA determined that only the 4WD style drag link was affected and did not recall trucks with the 2WD style drag link due to design differences that made it unsusceptible to this failure mode.  The repair remedy called for the steering coupler to be tightened to the proper torque prior to the jam nut being spot welded to the coupler body. If the coupler has already become detached or correct torque cannot be obtained, the drag link is to be replaced with an updated unit that went into production on the MY2019 RAM trucks.This updated unit uses a clamp to secure the coupler in place of the jam nuts used on original style components. In order to determine if the 2WD drag link was susceptible to the same defect found on the 4WD vehicles, ODI requested that our Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct testing on both RAM 2500 4WD and 2WD trucks. This testing was to determine operating conditions that might lead to loosened jam nuts of the recalled 4WD design and recreate these conditions on the 2WD vehicles to discover whether the 2WD design would also experience the loosening defect. Results from VRTCâs dynamic testing indicated that when the jam nuts are significantly under-torqued, they may loosen further from regular vehicle operation on the 4WD vehicles. Further, VRTC testing does not refute FCAâs assertion that the failure mechanism does not exist in the 2WD steering system. At the time of this closing resume, ODI has only received two allegations of drag link separation on 2WDvehicles.Neither could be validated as resulting from loose jam nuts. Since the release of recall 19V‑021 ODI has received consumer complaints regarding the appearance of the spot weld applied to the defective drag link and the inability to have the steering properly aligned after welding of the jam nut.  In September 2023, FCA provided owners with a supplemental Vehicle Alignment Clarification notification that provided information on an updated alignment procedure. Regarding the spot weld remedy used on the 4WD vehicles, ODI is concerned about the remedy in that during an alignment by a non-dealer repair facility, the spot weld might not be replaced after the alignment.  To date there is no complaint trend of post alignment drag link separations, weld failures or other safety related incidents on remedied vehicles. This investigation is being closed with no further action. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
EA19004
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 2014 Ram 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle at highway speeds, the steering wheel felt loose, and the steering was unstable, causing the vehicle to become difficult to control. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the outboard steering linkage jam nut had become loosened. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 139,000.
The V06 Drag Link recall of welding the adjuster doesn't allow a complete front end alignment to be done correctly. If you have had the adjuster welded, you cannot re-center the steering wheel with the adjustments that have been provided by the manufacture. This itself presents a safety issue with the steering wheel now being off centered! I have not had the welding done and have been trying to get the drag link replaced since it has become loose again! Independent repair shops won't touch a RAM truck that has been welded or not do to liability. The replacement parts are now in stock and they should be replaced since the way that RAM says to now do an alignment only allow toe and camber but not re-centering of your steering wheel. I have confirmed that with RAM service. Ram Cares has not helped in this matter. Have a previous Request #1273536 with the federal safety agency. This is a major safety issue for myself and others on the road. Thank you for your time.
this was a recall and all parts broke again . called dealer december 18 2023 and they have no idea what to do .
There was the V06 Drag Link recall which was to weld the drag link solid with no adjustment. I had it inspected on 3 May 19 where they found the nuts not properly torqued. I told them not to weld on the truck as this would cause extra expense to me when having any future work done on the truck. Had contacted Ram Cares to get a replacement drag link installed now that a replacement part is available. That didn't happen as the appointment that I had through Ram Cares couldn't happen without DM notes. There is clucking in the steering again like before and I'm sure it has loosened up again. I confirmed with independent repair shops that they would either not touch it do to welding or charge me additional cost to remove the weld and wouldn't re-weld do to liability. If Ram was willing to supply lifetime alignments for the truck, then no problem. The welding goes against how it's supposed to be fixed. I could be subject to a DOT inspection and truck impounded if there is welding on steering components. I know it's a discretionary rule, But could cost me time, money and other expenses for something that there is the correct replacement part available to fix the manufacture error. Thank you for you time.
I HAVE 27 OPEN RECALLS, the steering wheel knuckle just keeps getting looser, nothing on the column will tighten, my wipers short out , I was sold a Omission deleted truck with documentation the day of purchase it was omission deleted, I was never told this vehicle was unsafe, The manufacture wants me to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket for them to see if it maybe safe enough . Both Chysler, and the certified dealership of ford refuse to take any accountability or action
- Steering linkage jam broke while driving. Not sure if available truck is at dealership - I was unable to steer the vehicle while driving. I could have died and killed multiple people if a car crash had occurred - Dealer has acknowledged they inspected the part but did not perform the recall as it was not cracked. This is not the remedy listed on the federal safety agency. - No warning lamps or symptoms
The contact owns a 2014 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that as he released the accelerator pedal, the brake exhaust turbo engaged, then he depressed the brake pedal. The contact veered to the side of the road, inspected the vehicle, and noticed that the front support track bar bracket was fractured at the A-frame. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V541000 (Steering) before he owned the vehicle; however, the recall repair was not completed at that time because the vehicle had been lifted. The contact stated that the recall repair had been marked as complete though it was not. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the recall history showed that a reinforcement bracket was not installed over the front track bar bracket; therefore, the recall was not completed. The contact stated that he used a strap and tied the front end of the vehicle and then drove to the dealer that was 1.2 miles away. The dealer diagnosed that the front support track bar bracket was fractured. The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair could not be complete because the previous owner had lifted the vehicle. The dealer submitted a report to the manufacturer stating the recall repair for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V541000 (Steering) was incomplete because the vehicle had been lifted. The manufacturer updated the recall repair from "Completed" to "Inspected" in the vehicle recall history. The contact drove the vehicle to his hotel. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence in Florida. The contact stated that the recall repair was not completed on Power Wagon vehicles or vehicles that were lifted by the owners. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Drag link fix, spot welded, now it costs more to have them cut welds and alignment ft end at consumers expense, this was a recall fix that costs the consumer I think this should be on manufacturer, and not the consumer
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ram 3500. The contact initially received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v541000 (steering). The contact took the vehicle to arizona motors snowflake dodge (870 main st, snowflake, az 85937, (928) 536-7234) for the recall repair. Afterwards, while driving 35 MPH, the steering column made a popping noise without warning while steering the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where they performed another repair. Despite the multiple remedies performed on the vehicle, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 27,208.
Questions about the 2014 Ram 3500 steering
Does the 2014 Ram 3500 have steering problems?
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the steering of the 2014 Ram 3500, 20% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2014 Ram 3500 steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 35,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Ram 3500 steering?
Yes, 2 recalls: 19V021000, 15V541000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ram 3500 have bad steering?
The Ram 3500 model years with the most steering complaints are 2014 (41 complaints), 2013 (38 complaints) and 2018 (34 complaints).
Other 2014 Ram 3500 problems
Transmission 39Suspension 34Engine 33Electrical 25Fuel system 22Wheels 20Acceleration 15Brakes 15Airbags 10Body 6Visibility 6Lights 5Driver assistance 4Seat belts 3Tires 3Seats 1
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