2020 Ram 3500: loss of power steering

Filed Mar 28, 2024 · Tires · CA

I live in northern California near San Francisco, and we were traveling from Cottonwood, AZ back to our home. Back in June of 2023 we were traveling near Kingman, AZ and had the front passenger tire explode, almost losing control of the truck and trailer. We were at 19524 miles on the truck. At the time I thought that maybe I had hit something. But two months later I took the trailer to Carson City, NV for work and just before I got into Reno the truck started to shake from side to side in the front and the next day I took it to a tire shop and they told me that the driver’s front tire was getting ready to come apart and I had only put about 800 miles on the truck since the first tire had exploded. This was when I realized the issue was the tires. I immediately had all 6 tires replaced. You can find a lot of bad comments about these tires on-line with comments like what happened to me. EXAMPLE [XXX] In response to your questions 1.I don’t have the tires that died just pictures. 2.After the blowout steering was difficult. 3.No Dealer confirmation. 4.No inspections. 5.Before the first tire exploded for about 20 miles I noticed a vibration in the front end. But just thought it was just the road. Tire Size - LT235/80R17 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 20, 2022 · Brakes, Steering · TN

Sudden, catastrophic failure of Hydro Boost Pump Port Tube Assembly resulting in severe loss of steering and braking capability accompanied by high pressure release of flammable power steering fluid into and within engine compartment

Filed Oct 26, 2021 · Fuel system · MO

I was driving my truck towing a fifth wheel trailer weighing over 10,000 pounds on a rural state highway in Missouri with many hills, curves, and little to no shoulders. As I was traveling on a downhill slope at approximately 60mph my engine abruptly died with no warning, causing an immediate loss of power steering, power brakes, and engine brake. I began applying heavy pressure to the brakes slowing the vehicle and began looking for a side road to pull into. I came upon a driveway with an open gate into a field. With much manual force to the steering wheel and brakes I was able to guide the truck and trailer off of the highway into the field to a stop. I was fortunate to not have anyone stopping in front of me as I am certain I would not have been able to avoid a crash with the heavy load and no power. The vehicle was towed to a local Ram dealer and metal shavings were discovered in my fuel system. Repairs were made under warranty and after 6 weeks my truck was returned to me with a new fuel system including a new Cp4 fuel pump that had failed. This happened on 08/28/2020 and the truck had 8900 miles at the time. On 09/15/2021 I discovered metal shavings in my rear fuel filter while doing routine maintenance The truck was running appropriately with no codes or warning lights, it had 72000 miles at the time. I telephoned a local Ram dealer shop and was told it would have to be diagnosed at their shop. Unwilling to take the chance with another Cp4 pump failing I contacted a local diesel shop and was advised to replace the Cp4 with a Cp3 pump. I purchased a new Bosch Cp3 fuel pump specifically modified for replacement of Cp4 pumps in Ram trucks and paid the local shop myself to do the work. I still have my second Cp4 pump in my possession.

Filed Oct 20, 2021 · Fuel system · AZ

The component that failed was the CP4 high pressure fuel pump. Currently the truck is at RAM dealer in Champaign IL. If I need the part, I can ask for it. When the fuel pump failed, the engine quit running and I lost power steering and brakes. I was not in a high traffic area at the time and was able to get the truck w/42 foot 5th wheel travel trailer to side of highway safely. The issue with the fuel pump has been confirmed by Hendershot Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM' Has the vehicle component been inspected by manufacturer? UNKNOWN Just prior to the engine shutting off, the following message appeared on the dash, Exhaust Service Required — See Dealer Now— This message indicates regeneration has been disabled due to a system malfunction.

Filed Jun 11, 2021 · Steering · UT

My wife was driving on a highway with a trailer. Power steering went out. It was near impossible for her to pull over as the vehicle was extremely hard to turn. Not safe!

Filed May 5, 2021 · Engine · 30,900 miles · TX

We were driving our 2020 ram 3500 diesel with a 2000-pound truck camper in the bed on a city street attempting to make a right turn through a yield sign when the engine suddenly stopped completely without the ability to restart it. This resulted in sudden loss of acceleration, power steering, and power breaks, leading to a near collision with a large pole and possibly other vehicles in the in the intersection. Although we missed the pole and other vehicles, it was extremely difficult to avoid due to loss of power steering and braking. Had our speed been slightly higher, a collision would have been unavoidable. After having our truck inspected by the dealership, it was determined that the cause of the engine breakdown was the bosch cp4.2 injection pump catastrophically failing (or "grenade-ing" or "imploding" as the dealership put it) resulting in the complete destruction of the entire fuel system, stopping all fuel flow to the engine. After this happened to us, we did some research and found that the bosch cp4.2 injection pump has been determined to be incompatible with diesel fuel found in the USA due to lack of lubricity, and has other fundamental design defects that together make catastrophic failure almost inevitable in vehicles driven in the USA. Most previous ram 3500's used a reliable bosch cp3 injection pump, but starting in 2019 model years switched to the less expensive cp4.2 even though this issue has been known to ram and cummins due to the countless incidents of catastrophic failure in other vehicles using the same pump for many years. Had we known this prior to purchasing our truck, we would not have purchased it. We were surprised and disappointed to find out that vehicles using this dangerous injection pump have not been recalled.

Filed Mar 5, 2021 · Driver assistance, Steering · 4,200 miles · TX

Power steering went out while driving at highway speeds. Warning comes on the display advising that the power steering needs to be serviced. Steering wheel becomes very stiff.