10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 32,357 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.
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.
- Gage, OK, USA
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.
- Oak Hill, OH, USA
2001 Dodge Ram 3500 2 wheel drive. Front end "death wobble". happens over 40 mph when you hit a large bump. Won't stop till you slow down. Have had since new and started to fail after 36,000 mile warranty expired. Have changed ball joints and idler arm and has been to several front end shops saying nothings wrong. Currently the truck has 67,000 miles on it.
- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
2001 Dodge Ram 3500 cummings engine (auto trans) on steering/brake hydraulic assist system the consumer stated on 5 occasions when he went to start the vehicle, he discovered a complete loss of hydraulic power, but the engine continued to run. The loss disable both the steering and braking. The dealer could not find anything wrong with the vehicle, however, the consumer was charged 245 for replacing the brake fluid. The consumer was unable to convince the dealer to replace the power steering pump or any other component in the hydraulic power system. The failure subsequently repeated on two more occasions.
- Mountlake Terrace, WA, USA
I have a 2001 3500 Dodge Ram truck, about a month ago I took my truck in to the front aligned and they found that the frame where the steering box is the frame has cracked in it on both side of the frame, causing the steering box to have play it. They said they could not realigned the front end, that the frame needs to be welded and it was going to cost me $2,500. So I park the truck because it is unsafe to drive. The other day I went to move the truck and the steering box fell off the frame, and the crack in the frame on the truck got bigger. I have to strap the steering box to the frame to get it moved we I called Dodge about if there was any recalls on the frame they said no, they ask me how many miles were on the truck and I said what does that have any thing do with it. At this point the truck is unsafe to drive and I 'm still paying the load on it. I need some help on what to do at this point. I feel Dodge should repair it, since on the newer truck they reinforced the frame where the steering box is on the frame. If I continue to drive the truck and the frame cracks in half it will cause me to crash, I'll loose my steering. I need help
- Pacifica, CA, USA
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.
- Wayne , OK, USA
June 29, 2005 on highwa while Y doing 50-55 mph pulled into drive and thought hit a pole because the whole left side was wiped out of the vehicle. The mirror come in, looked under front end everything looked fine, didn't have steering problems went about 30 miles, came back, went to turn left, acted like it didn't want to turn left. Went home, got a flash light, had friend turn the wheel while consumer looked at the steering, it made cracking and popping sound when turning the vehicle to the left. The it locked and would not turn. Had the dealer put a pump on a week before. Called dealership, the referred consumerto Chrysler, then they had him speak with an investigator, they wanted to come out and inspect with in 10 days. Spent 4 hours looking and taking pictures, then got a letter, stating they couldn't find anything wrong. At the body shop they couldn't find anything wrong either.
- Weatherford , TX, USA
While attempting to park the trailer, the steering box destroyed the O-ring gasket which caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle.
- Granville, NY, USA
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. The consumer stated the brakes would grab, however the mechanic informed the consumer that was the way ABS worked.
- Everett, WA, USA
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.
- Havre, MT, USA
While driving, the vehicle wandered. Other issues related to the steering problem was the track bar, power steering/gear assembly, and the clock spring.
- Palmyra, NY, USA
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
- Calhoun, GA, USA
When turning the steering wheel towards the right, the wheels would not turn with the steering wheel. The owner was unable to control the vehicle. This caused the driver to hit an embankment head on. The owner had the vehicle towed to the dealership to be inspected.
- Sebastopol, CA, USA
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. The mechanic found the power steering gear box sloppy, the tie rod end/pitman arm loose and the trac bar worn.
- Vancouver, WA, USA
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
- Portland, OR, USA
The steering wandered to the left uncontrollably.
- Centereach, NY, USA
Vehicle handling.......steering wander.......sway........failure to track.
- Newville, PA, USA
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.
- Sagle, ID, USA
Consumer states that while driving at 55 mph the consumer lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road causing damage to the front and rear of the vehicle and also bent the frame. Contacted dealer and the dealer has taken a look at the vehicle but yet they are not willing to do anything. Nlm
- Fairbanks, AK, USA
- Placitas, NM, USA