48 of the 905 complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM are about the steering — 5% of everything reported for this model year.
48
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING:COLUMN
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN CHANGING THE POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL UP THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8007953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
LEFT FRONT SPINDLE BROKE WITH LITTLE WARNING WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE.
NHTSA complaint #9005993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
IN AUGUST OF 1999 WITH APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES ON ODOMETER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION, AND THE DRIVER LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL BEFORE CRASHING INTO A DITCH. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. SINCE REPLACEMENT OF ORIGINAL STEERING GEAR BOX, VEHICLE WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD DURING NORMAL OPERATION. STEERING GEAR BOX HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8002103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN IS EXTREMELY LOOSE WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO DRIFT TO RIGHT OR LEFT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #896129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER STATES STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKING ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #561106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE MAKE ANY TURNS CONSUMER NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE FROM STEERING . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER USED A SPRAY TO FIX THE CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #886853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS WHEN TRAVELING AROUND 50 TO 60 MPH AND HITTING A BUMP, FRONT END WILL VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. CONSUMER MUST STOP VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET VIBRATION TO GO AWAY. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE TWICE: DURING FIRST INCIDENT DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRACK BAR, AND AT SECOND INCIDENT, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK THE STEERING DAMPER HAS BEEN REPLACED AND CONSUMER HOPES THAT THIS SOLVES THE PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
BOLT IN STEERING ARM SEPARATED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #883981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING HAS TO MUCH PLAY, ALSO THERE IS A POPPING SOUND, TO DEALER 4 TIMES, CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN OVERDRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #881566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING STARTED LEAKING AFTER 65,000 MILES. VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER STEERING WHEN FLUID LEAKS OUT & VEHICLE IS HARD TO STEER. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #865571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
STEERING PITMAN ARM AND IDLER ARM HAVE A LOT OF PLAY, FRONT BEARINGS LOOSE, FRONT ROTORS RUSTED AND WORN OUT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #857340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
STEERING PITMAN ARM AND IDLER ARM HAVE A LOT OF PLAY, FRONT BEARINGS LOOSE, FRONT ROTORS RUSTED AND WORN OUT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #857340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
UNEXPECTEDLY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FAILED PART NOT AVAILABLE FOR THREE DAYS BECAUSE OF HIGH DEMAND AND CANNOT BE KEPT IN STOCK. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #852812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL BINDS AND GEAR SHIFT LEVER ON COLUMN MOVES PUTTING TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL TWICE AT HIGHTWAY SPEEDS, DEALER TESTED AND SAID THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 400 DOLLARS I FEEL THAT A VECHILE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE A STREERING COLUM REPLACED AT 50000 MILES
NHTSA complaint #714028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
12-8-95 REPLACED DEFECTIVE STIRRING COLUM; 12-19-96 REPLACED DEFECTIVE FUEL GAUGE;
NHTSA complaint #713946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE HAS NO POWER. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, AND REV THE ENGINE. TOOK SIX MONTHS TO GET PART AFTER REPEATED CALLS. FRONT BRAKES WEARING OUT PREMATURELY BECAUSE REAR BRAKES ARE NOT SELF ADJUSTING. VERY UNSAFE WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. *YC THE LEFT REAR AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING. WATER COLLECTS NEAR THE PASSENGER DOOR UNDERNEATH THE CARPET.
NHTSA complaint #845783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING GEAR BOX DRAINED OF FLUID AFTER A MINOR IMPACT OF 3 MPH, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #523769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
INNER TIE ROD TRUCK GOES OUT AND STEERING GOES TO THE RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #827553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
SPENT $1200 TO REBUILD ENTIRE FRONT END OF CAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CLUNKING AND LOOSENESS AFTER ONLY 40,000 MILES OF LITE STREET USE. FACTORY INSTALLED COMPONANTS OBVOIUSLY INFERIOR QUALITY OR DEFECTIVE. DAILMER CHRYSLER WAS WILLING TO ASSIST IN THE COSTS OF THE REPAIR UNTIL THE BILLS CAME IN. DAIMLER CHRYSLER WALKED AWAY FROM THE ISSUE. REAR WINDOW WATER LEAK - SUGGEST OTHER OWNERS TO LOOK ON PASSENGER SIDE FOR WATER PONDING ADJACENT TO SILL PLATE AT REAR OF SEAT. REAR FACTORY SLIDING WINDOW DEFECTIVE. MUST REPLACE WITH ALTERNATE SELECTION. HEADLINER WILL NOT FIT PROPERLY ON ALTERNATE SELECTION - BEWARE. DODGE RAM OWNERS BEWARE. THIS OWNER JUMPING SHIP FROM DODGE/CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICAL FOR 11 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #703227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHEN DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND WHITOUT PRIOR WARNING THE STEERING GEAR BOX BROKE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL.
NHTSA complaint #831334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN IS VERY LOOSE AND SHAKES, THIS PROBLEM ALSO GIVES IT TROUBLE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #833617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
FRONT END SHIMMY WHEN GOING OVER BUMP OR POT HOLE, DUE TO POOR STEERING DESIGN, DAMPNER KIT AVAILABLE TO CORRECT DESIGN PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #541885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
NOISE IN FRONT END AS WELL AS LEAKING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING STABILIZER.
NHTSA complaint #533513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING FAILED, DUE TO FAILURE OF THE PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #533513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
FRONT END MISALIGNMENT. IN ADDITION, REAR AXLE SEALS/AXLE BEARINGS/STEERING DRAG:LINK/FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS/ROTORS AND PADS/REAR BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS AND REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS AND BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER FAILED/REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #534553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
AFTER BUMPPING INTO A LOW STONE WALL AT NO MORE THAN 3MPH, THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX DRAINED FLUID, RESULTING IN POWER STEERING LOST.
NHTSA complaint #523769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING ARM BROKE, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #531898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING IN THE VEHICLE GETS EXTREMELY SLOPPY WHEN DRIVING AND MAKES IT HARD TO STEER. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
NHTSA complaint #818698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #519517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN MAKES CLICKING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #603769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.