2001 Dodge RAM steering problems

STEERING

ON MY WAY TO WORK, AS USUAL, ON A "SLIGHTLY" BUMPY PART OF THE HIGHWAY MY STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING SO VIOLENTLY THAT I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. I COULD BARELY HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL; AND COULD NOT STEER AT ALL; ALL I COULD DO WAS START BRAKING AND COME TO A STOP. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED MY TIRES AND FRONT END AND EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. I CONTINUED TO WORK AT ABOUT 40 MPH (I HAD GONE TO WORK EARLY SO NO TRAFFIC) . AT 8:00 I CALLED MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND TOOK IT TO HIM TO CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENED. HE CHECK EVERYTHING AND NOTHING SHOWED. THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN; THEN AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER I TOOK PICKUP IN FOR REGULAR OIL/FUEL/AIR FILTER CHANGE SERVICE. HE TEST DROVE WITH ME ALONG AND I EXPLAINED FURTHER WHAT HAPPENED. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN IT BEFORE WITH DODGE 2500 & 3500 AND IT HAS BEEN LABELED THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE". I THANK GOD I WAS NOT IN A BUSY TRAFFIC AREA.

NHTSA complaint #10430142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TIE ROD ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER A POTENTIAL CRASH IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 08/31/11

NHTSA complaint #10409111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE DRIFTED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING BOX BUT THE STEERING BOX DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE STEERING BOX WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT BUT THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 270,676.

NHTSA complaint #10401490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

DT THE RETURN HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING GOT AGAINST THE POWER STEERING PULLEY AND RUBBED A WHOLE IN THE RETURN HOSE AND IT WAS LEAKING FLUID. WHICH MADE IT HAVE NO POWER STEERING. HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY ORDERED TWO HOSES THAT WERE THE WRONG ONES. THIS HAPPENED JULY 18, 2005.

NHTSA complaint #10129969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE TRAILER, THE STEERING BOX DESTROYED THE O-RING GASKET WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *NM *SC

NHTSA complaint #10109758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WANDERED ACROSS THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING BOX ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND MADE SOME OTHER REPAIRS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WAS THE WAY ABS WORKED.

NHTSA complaint #10105235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. ANOTHER RAM OWNER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH WAS DUE TO A FAULTY FACTORY STEERING BOX GEAR, THAT WAS REPLACED. THIS TRUCK IS OWNED BY MONTANA DEPT,. OF FISH WILD LIFE AND PARK. THE OTHER TRUCK IN THIS FLEET ARE HAVING THE SAME FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10101480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WANDERED. *AK OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE STEERING PROBLEM WAS THE TRACK BAR, POWER STEERING/GEAR ASSEMBLY, AND THE CLOCK SPRING. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10071972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

BALL JOINTS WORN OUT AT 49,000 MILES 3 MECHANICS SAY THIS IS TYPICAL OF THESE DODGE TRUCKS. IF THIS A RECURING PROBLEM, SHOULDN'T DODGE BE DOING SOMTHING ON THIS

NHTSA complaint #10068720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE STEERING HAD EXCESSIVE "PLAY." THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SWAY ACROSS THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS SERVICED, AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX/TIE ROD AND TRACKING BAR WERE REPLACED. *AK THE MECHANIC FOUND THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX SLOPPY, THE TIE ROD END/PITMAN ARM LOOSE AND THE TRAC BAR WORN. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10044982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN

STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED 5 TIMES, REPAIRED 4 TIMES IN WHICH THE CLOCK SPRING (SAFETY RECALL 982) WAS REPLACED 2 TIMES. LEFT OUTER MIRROR VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IMPAIRING VISIBILITY WHEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC. TRUCK IS NOT SAFE FOR HIGHWAY USE. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***764311

NHTSA complaint #10007150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MR SCC *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10014836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED HALFWAY AROUND WHILE DRIVING, UPON INSPECTION, CONSUMER NOTICED THE 2 BOLTS ON THE STEERING BOX WERE LOOSE AND 1 BOLT HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10009893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE STEERING WANDERED TO THE LEFT UNCONTROLLABLY.

NHTSA complaint #10009693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.*AK

NHTSA complaint #10006323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE STEERING HAS LOTS OF PLAY PREVENTING THE OWNER FROM KEEPING STRAIGHT DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. "CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING TRACK BAR", NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE LOSS OF STEERING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA complaint #8024093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE KEY TO THE VEHICLE GOT CAUGHT INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A CONSTANT TENSION TO THE LEFT AND CAUSES STRAIN TO THE DRIVERS ARM. *YH

NHTSA complaint #567175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING HAS SLACK OR PLAY IN IT. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #566573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY.

NHTSA complaint #565957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

VEHICLE STEERS TOO QUICKLY. UNABLE TO CONTROL STEERING WHEEL.*AK VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND IS STILL NOT OPERATING NORMALLY.

NHTSA complaint #8012845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO STEER, CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED IT WAS NORMAL FOR POWER STEERING NOT TO OPERATE AT ALL TIMES.*AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #8010636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

TWO TIMES WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT. THE FIRST TIME RESULTED IN A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. AFTER TEN MINUTES THE TRUCK WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ALSO BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND LOST BOTH THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS TIME THE MANUFACTURER HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK HAULED TO THE DEALER. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKES AND STEERING ARE RUN OFF THE SAME GEARING ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THIS TRUCK SEEMS TO REQUIRE CONSTANT CORRECTION TO THE STEERING TO MINIMIZE WANDER.

NHTSA complaint #761508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO STEER, WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. DEALER REPLACED STEERING BOX 3 TIMES, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8006835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER IT LOSES ALL POWER STEERING CAUSING THE HYDROBOOST SYSTEM AND POWER BRAKE SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE, DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8005912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO APPLY FORCE TO PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK THE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AND POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FAILS AS THE RESULT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE.

NHTSA complaint #8005914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AT 60 MPH. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #8005541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES

TRACK BAR, PREMATURE EXCESSIVE SLACK IN STEERING, HARD TO KEEP IN OWN LANE ESPECIALLY ON UNEVEN PAVED SURFACES( STEERING WANDERING). REAR AXLE U-BOLTS, LOOSE ON INSPECTION CAUSING SHAKING FROM THE REAR AXLE DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION, BOLTS WERE RETORKED & PROBLEM REACCURED AFTER 20 MILES, THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #759162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.