10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,592 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #20

Nov 232021

3500

  • 68,190 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated after purchasing the vehicle, the local dealer informed him about NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer stated informed the contact that the nut would be welded and the vehicle would need an alignment. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not completely straight. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and who was unable to align the vehicle due to an issue with the drag link. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,190.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #19

Aug 072021

3500

  • miles
Steering is failing. Steers like a boat. Looses control in turns. Over adjustment and correction must be done to maintain course. Same issue occurred in a Dodge Challenger.

- Fort Worth , TX, USA

problem #18

Dec 252019

3500

  • 59,650 miles
When driving down road constantly make adjustments to right and or steering wheel being held to or around 1 or 2 O'clock position just to go straight. When steering to left steering wheel is tighter then when steering to right. Steering box needs replaced and or rebuilt. Truck only has alittle over 60000 miles on it. Constantly chasing steering when driving down road. City streets and left lane of highways its extremely noticable. Had truck aligned and alignment shop says alignment is dead on. After reading multiple and multiple forums and other information online, this is a extremely common problem with these trucks yet no recall to fix. Red head is a company that rebuilds/upgrades these steering boxes, but the cost with shipping is around $800. Chrysler seems to deny there is a problem with the stock steering boxes on the Ram 2500/3500 trucks, there are thousands and thousands of people that are having the same issue yet no recall to fix the problem.

- Mount Union, PA, USA

problem #17

Nov 012018

3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V021000 (steering). The contact took the vehicle to johnson Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (481 us-46, budd lake, NJ 07828, (908) 850-8700) and was informed that they would be taking an adjustable part of the vehicle and making it non-adjustable. The contact expressed concerns regarding future repairs to the vehicle that may be deemed ineffective due to the remedy. The contact refused to have the vehicle serviced. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Lake Hopatcong, NJ, USA

problem #16

Nov 012019

3500

  • 17,500 miles
I applaud your work in holding automakers accountable and responsible for fixing vehicle safety issues. However, my vehicle was recalled for V06/NHTSA 19V-021 (steering system recall). Rather that providing new parts for the defective parts, Ram states that NHTSA has approved welding the steering jam nuts to the adjuster. The dealer submitted a star case (#101582875) to have repair parts provided which was denied, based on NHTSA approval of welding. Also, called Ram care (case # 68052515) they refused to provide repair parts and directed me to contact their fca hqs via standard mail. It is appalling to me that we have heavy duty trucks on the road that cost over $60K and rather that requiring Ram to replace defective parts, we allow them to weld parts. Most of these heavy duty trucks are used to haul heavy trailers. Welds if not done properly weaken metal and can break under stress. Additionally, this fix (welding) renders steering system adjustments inoperable without grinding the weld adjusting the steering and re-welding the part all of which damages and stresses the critical existing steering parts. Request that NHTSA require Ram to replace the defective steering parts and not allow a jam nut to the adjuster weld as a permanent fix to the steering safety recall. Thanks

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #15

Apr 022019

3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18E096000 (steering). The contact took the vehicle to humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge & Ram (1010 route 19 North, waterford, pa 16441, (888) 571-5737) where the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was returned to the contact. A few months later, the vehicle needed the outer tie rod replaced and a front end alignment. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that, due to a welding that had been performed on the vehicle from the recall repair, the vehicle could not be repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the welding was an approved repair by NHTSA and he would need to contact NHTSA for more information. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- North East, PA, USA

problem #14

Dec 282018

3500

  • 18,700 miles
December 28, 2018 was approaching a roundabout traffic island when turning left and right the truck when out of control and bounced off curb and over center island one over concrete planting box under construction.blew passenger side tire and damaging wheel, front differential training arm, drag link jam nut completely losse and causing steering wheel to 90 degrees left.close to home usedfriens flat bed trailer to take home. Newer truck did not want to brand title with insurance claim. It took two months to save money as a repair approximately $2300. The mechanic said the drag link was completely loose. Got truck repaired. Approximately 30days later a recall for the drag link defect. I feel lucky for not being killed. Lucky I was going 25mph.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #13

May 022019

3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact had the vehicle serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 19V021000 (steering). Due to the recall remedy, the contact was no longer able to operate the vehicle per federal motor carrier guidelines. As a result, the contact had the recall repair reversed in order to utilize the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they would repair the vehicle with a new and different remedy at the contact's expense. The contact had not experienced a failure. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Athens, IL, USA

problem #12

Mar 112019

3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 60,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway with my trailer loaded when the steering wheel stopped controlling the direction of the vehicle. It caused me to lose control of the vehicle and collide into another vehicle and hitting the freeway median wall. Unknown as to the component, I am still waiting for a report. Photos attached

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #11

Dec 032018

3500

  • miles
This concerns your #V06/nhsta 19V-021. The fix fca is doing for the defective track is some cheap welding of the lock nuts that come loose, instead of replacing the track bar with a proven design and which is readily available from both fca and aftermarket suppliers. It is a poor solution to a serious problem which puts myself, my family and others on thew same road at risk. Please help.....

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #10

May 152019

3500 4-cyl

  • miles
Gentlemen, this complaint is in regards to the current V06 recall that affects Ram heavy duty trucks. The current fix of welding components of the steering system by uncertified people in an uncontrolled environment is somewhat concerning. I have not had this done to my truck based on the high number of owners describing some of their results done by the dealer. I will include a couple of example photos. Not only is the welding of components very inconsistent, it changes the molecular structure of the components involved. It also renders the ability to correctly do a front end alignment impossible without major modifications has a new and improved drag link (#cszhv061aa) that is available but is very reluctant in swapping these out. I would greatly appreciate an investigation on the results of this current fix and long term issues to owners. The trucks are capable and designed to tow massive amounts of weight and do so on a daily basis. All the more reason to fix it right before more accidents happen. Thanks! concerned!! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).?

- Munford, TN, USA

problem #9

Jan 252019

3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V021000 (steering) however the manufacturer failed to provide a permanent remedy and had only limited the remedy to an interim repair. The dealer troncalli Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram (818 atlanta hwy, cumming, ga 30040, (678) 244-4100) was contacted to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Ellijay, GA, USA

problem #8

Apr 152019

3500

  • 30,000 miles
Fca and the dealer refuses to verify the safety of my truck. I brought my truck to the dealer for recall NHTSA 19V-021 (drag link). I told the dealer I wanted them to inspect the drag link nuts to insure they weren't coming off. I also said I didn't want the nuts welded to the drag link. Welding the nuts would prevent adjustment when aligning the truck in the future. The dealer said they would cut off the welds when doing the alignment. Unfortunately this would force me to return to the dealer, which is almost an hour away, and would prevent me from getting an alignment at any normal shop. This is forcing me to pay more money for any future alignment. The dealer refused to inspect the truck. He said that the only way they would look at the drag link was if they performed the entire recall, including welding the nuts. I asked if I let them weld the nuts would they replace the drag link at a later time when the new part became available, they said no. I am now driving a truck that I do not know the safety of because of the defective drag link. I called fca and opened a case (number available). Fca told me this was up to the dealer. Why do I have to accept a non-standard solution to a problem that will not get me a new, upgraded part, and will cost me more money in the future through no fault of my own?

- Broadview Heights, OH, USA

problem #7

Mar 132019

3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact received notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V562000 (engine and engine cooling), 17V821000 (power train), 18V486000 (structure, latches, locks, linkages) and 19V021000 (steering). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed parts were not available. The manufacturer was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Santaynuz, CA, USA

problem #6

Mar 292019

3500

  • miles
Jam nuts on drag link adjuster keep loosening. Ram has issued a junk fix by welding the nuts to adjuster sleeve. Welding on my truck is not acceptable. I want a replacement part, not a weld fix. Safety recall V06 / NHTSA 19V-021 drag link

- Three Rivers, CA, USA

problem #5

Mar 262019

3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
I received a recall notice #V06/nhtsa19V-021 in the mail, so I went out to inspect the drag link on my 2016 Ram 3500 and noticed that the lower jam nut had backed off the threads about a 1/4" in. Contacted the dealer to see when they would be able to fix this issue and was told to call back in a few weeks. And I spoke to the service adviser to see what the fix was going to be and was told that they would tighten the jam nut and weld nut to the sleeve. I have been a welder for over 30 years at the psns in bremerton, wa.. if you do not know the material type and weld filler material type it could cause a failure of the weld and the material that it is welded to. Also, anytime you weld something the heat affected zone is a weak spot. I don't think this correct fix due to it being a steering component.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #4

Jan 252019

3500

  • miles
Wolfchase Dodge dealership in bartlett, tn tells me it will about two months before they will have the parts to fix my steering linkage problems on my 2016 Dodge Ram 3500 laramie.

- Lakeland, TN, USA

problem #3

Feb 012019

3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V021000 (steering) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Wolfchase Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (8170 us-64, bartlett, tn 38133, (901) 373-3030) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Lakeland, TN, USA

problem #2

Jan 232018

3500

  • 54,000 miles
Drag link failed without warning. Apparently threads stripped out in the coupler nut resulting in total steering loss.

- Union City, PA, USA

problem #1

Apr 182017

3500

  • 3,800 miles
1st alignment and tire rotation @1800miles "toe set", another rotate then off set ball joint because it developed a "pull" and "climbed crown", 3rd rotation, was told no more alignment available within specs, 3,800 miles needs rotation due to outer tire wear, shimmy on minor road imperfections has just began. Front tires get hot and over inflate, tire manufacture concerned, lowered pressure #10 below manufacture press specs and they increase above #85 spec and are hot. Networking with other owners and after market front end mechanics discovering Dodge has a front end problem redesigned in 17. Chrysler repair facility has informed me that they Dodge has a problem with front end, but don't have a fix. The tire wear is highway mileage and no loads, no weight. Taking to 3rd party to read alignment specs and inspect.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA