RoadVitals

2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
69
Latest May 14, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
15%
of 468 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 69 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 69, in the owner's own words

Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed May 14, 2018

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT THE RATE OF 45MPH-50MPH MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, I WAS PASSENGER, AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE BACK. ALL THE SUDDEN WE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, NO BIGGER THAN YOUR AVERAGE POT HOLES AND THE ENTIRE TRUCK BROKE OUT INTO AN ABRUPT SHAKE! IT WAS THROWING MY HUSBANDS AND MY BODY AROUND THE SHAKE WAS SO INTENSE THE STEERING WAS CONTROLLABLE BUT EXTREMELY HARD. IT FELT AS THOUGH OUR TIRES WERE FLYING RIGHT OFF THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND BRAKED AND THE VIOLENT SHAKE SEIZED AND WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE TRUCK. WE CHECK AND SHOOK ALL TIRES THEY WERE SECURE. WE LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK EVERYTHING SEEMED IN PLACE AND SECURE. ONCE WE GOT HOME I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND LEARNED OF THE "DEATH WOBBLE" MOST DODGE TRUCKS HAVE BECAUSE OF THE "Y" STEERING BAR WHICH MOST YEARS HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL DODGE THEY INFORMED ME MY YEAR OF TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE THE RECALL. THIS "DEATH WOBBLE" HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE ROLLOVERS AND ACCIDENTS. I REACHED OUT TO CHRYSTLER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX IT AND THEY INFORMED ME BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL THEY WOULDN'T. WE ARE TALKING PEOPLES, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD SAFETY! I DON'T SEE WHY THEY WOULDN'T WANT TO PAY TO FIX A STEERING BAR WHICH IS WHAT MAYBE $1000 BUT HAVE THE POSSIBILITY FOR LIVES TO BE LOST?

NHTSA ID
11093758
Incident
May 12, 2018
Mileage
229,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 28, 2018

I INSTALLED CHRYSLER PARTS KIT 52122362AL, UPGRADED STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK TIE ROD, AND 68039930AA PITMAN ARM ON MY 2001,5 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 TRUCK. IT EASILY REPLACED EXISTING PARTS NEEDING ONLY A DIFFERENT STEERING DAMPER TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL PARTS. I HAVE SINCE BEEN LEARNED THAT THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK PARTS ARE RECALLED AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON 2003-2008 TRUCKS. RECALLS I AM AWARE OF ARE H46 AND N62. MY LEFT TIE ROD END BALL STUD HAS NOT BROKEN YET BUT THE POSSIBILITY IS VERY SERIOUS. I THINK DODGE RAM 1500/2500/3500 SERIES TRUCKS FROM MODEL YEARS 2001 AND 2002 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS.

NHTSA ID
11090770
Incident
Apr 28, 2018
Mileage
245,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 12, 2015

TRUCK IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND I PULL A HORSE TRAILER. VERY AFRAID OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF TOTAL STEERING CONTROL IS LOST WHILE TRAVELING WITH MY HORSES. IT WOBBLES AT SPEEDS AROUND 45 AND OVER AND FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO JUMP OFF THE ROAD OR INTO ANOTHER LANE ON HIGHWAY. I REPLACED THE ENTIRE FRONT END AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. SEEN MANY POSTS WITH IDENTICAL ISSUES AS MYSELF. I JUST WANT THE PROBLEM TO BE RESOLVED. IT ONLY HAS 144,000 MILES ON IT. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL A DEATH FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED??

NHTSA ID
10781376
Incident
Oct 11, 2015
Mileage
144,786 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Feb 11, 2015

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK, AND ALSO UNABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK, AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP ALSO SUPPLIES POWER TO ASSIST THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10682845
Incident
Feb 4, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 3, 2014

I WAS SENT A RECALL WHILE IN AZ. I TOOK IT TO HENERY BROWN AUTOMOTIVE AND THE DID NOT REALLY CARE TO MESS WITH IT. THEY SAID THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE PARTS TO FIX IT. I TOLD THEM I WANTED IT FIXED AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL AS SOON AS THE PARTS CAME IN, IT IS JUNE AND I AM BACK IN CO..THE SAFETY RECALL NUMBER AS I CAN TELL IS N49/NATSA 13V-529. LEFT TIE ROD. CAN YOU HELP GET SOMETHING DONE AND HAVE A TALK WITH HENERY BROWN'S CHRYSLER. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10595941
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 9, 2014

MY MAIN REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS IT IS KNOWN ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THAT DODGE PUT A FAULTY FRONT SUSPENSION ON ITS PICKUPS THAT LEAD TO DANGEROUS STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DEATH WOBBLES. MY VEHICLE HAS THE DEATH WOBBLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, UNDERSTAND THIS DEATH WOBBLE LITERALLY TRIES TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL FROM YOUR HAND AND MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY HARD TO MANAGE. MY DEATH WOBBLE WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO BUST A BATTERY CLAMP, BLOW OUT BOTH HEADLIGHTS, MAKE MY QUAD CAB DOOR NOT OPEN CAUSED MY OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE SENSOR UNIT TO MALFUNCTION, BROKE MY STEERING BOX, BROKE THE CLIP ON MY SUNGLASSES HOLDER AND CAUSED MY TRACK BAR TO FAIL AGAIN. PLEASE UNDERSTAND DUE TO THE FAULTY SLOPPY DRIFTING STEERING I HAD ALREADY REPLACED ALL TIE RODS, TRACK BAR, BALL JOINTS AND STEERING DAMPENER SHOCK. YOU CAN GO TO ANY DIESEL FORUM AND HEAR ALL THE STORIES OF THE DODGE STEERING SLOP AND DEATH WOBBLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE TRAFFIC SAFETY BOARD HAS NOT FORCED A RECALL AND UPGRADES ON THIS PRODUCT. I HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON MY TRACK BAR AND CAN PROVE IT HAS TO BE REPLACED TWICE A YEAR MINIMUM. DODGE DID UPGRADES ON THE LATER MODEL YEARS 04-07 BECAUSE THEY KNEW OF THE DESIGN FLAW. WHY ARE THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS KNOWN ROAD HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10563554
Incident
Apr 12, 2012
Mileage
96,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE PITMAN ARM FRACTURED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT CALLED THREE DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF ..UPDATED 09/07/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE POINT OF FAILURE WAS THE SECTOR SHAFT ON THE ROD AND A DAMAGED STEERING BOX. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITY. UPDATED 09/11/12 UPDATED 09/17/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID
10467047
Incident
Nov 20, 2000
Mileage
230,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 3, 2012

2001.5 DODGE 2500 QUAD 4X4 DIESEL. STEERING HAS BEEN BAD FOR LAST FEW YEARS. TOOK IN AND ALL UP FRONT IS BAD, HUBS, JOINTS, BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS AND EVEN THE GEAR BOX OUTPUT SHAFT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALER KNOWS THAT THE 2500 COMES OFF THE LINE WITH 1/4" GIVE OR TAKE PLAY IN THE BALL JOINTS AS IT SITS NEW AND ARE ACTUALLY TOO SMALL FOR APPLICATION WHICH CAUSES ALL ELSE TO GO BAD OVER TIME. I AM NOT HARD ON MY DODGE WITH DRIVING STYLE. COST TO FIX WITH STOCK AND AFTER MARKET PARTS ONLY TO PREVENT IS 2600.00. LABOR IS 100.00 PER HOUR HOW CAN ANYONE HANDLE THIS KIND OF MONEY UP FRONT. TRUCK SITS AFRAID TO DRIVE MORE THEN LOCAL. STARTED SEEING AT 95000 AND HAVE JUST OVER 103000. DEALER WILL NOT FIX RECALLS OF 2001 YEAR BECAUSE ITS TO OLD! *TR

NHTSA ID
10460402
Incident
Jun 3, 2012
Mileage
103,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 1, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 QUAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STEER UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD BECOME WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID
10457022
Incident
May 1, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED FROM LANE TO LANE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION REPLACED. AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIFT FROM LANE TO LANE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10448835
Incident
Feb 16, 2011
Mileage
67,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE STEERING TRACK BAR AND STEERING BOXES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10413745
Incident
Jul 19, 2009
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 3, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE 2500 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND DECELERATING TO 3 MPH, THE STEERING SHAFT SUDDENLY FRACTURED CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 193,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 12/14/11 *CN

NHTSA ID
10373935
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Mileage
193,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 20, 2010

PROBLEMS WITH STEERING, AND VIBRATION/WOBBLE IN THE FRONT OF OUR 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. NO RESOLUTION AS OF YET. DODGE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. REPLACED TRACK BAR, BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. STEERING WANDERS, HARD TO KEEP TRUCK ON THE ROAD. VIBRATION IN FRONT RETURNED ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET STEERING STABILIZER THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHY DOESN'T DODGE FIX IT WITH THIS STEERING STABILIZER? *TR

NHTSA ID
10361437
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi
EngineSteeringTransmission
Filed Jul 9, 2010

BOOSTER PUMP FOR POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION DON'T WANT TO SHIFT WHEN DRIVE FROM STOP TO DRIVE INTO SECOND GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10342332
Incident
Jun 26, 2010
Mileage
130,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. IMMEDIATELY, THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TOWED IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST OF $1,933.75. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE SAFETY RECALLS FOR MODEL YEARS 2003 TO 2009 ON THE IDENTICAL MODEL. THERE WAS CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,175 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300,000. UPDATED 03/30/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING FAILED AS SHE WAS DRIVING. THE GEAR BOX, STEERING BOX AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 08/18/10 *JB UPDATED 08/23/10*JB

NHTSA ID
10283393
Incident
Aug 25, 2005
Mileage
192,175 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Jun 2, 2008

CRACKED DASHBOARD LEADING TO DEFECTIVE WIRING AND STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229603
Incident
May 1, 2003
Mileage
40,000 mi
Body & structureEngineFuel system+3 more
Filed Jun 28, 2007

2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DASHBOARD CRACKING . TV INVESTIGATION SLOT SHOWN ON INTERNET. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM - PURCHASED NEW DASHBOARD PANEL FROM DODGE DEALER $200. IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE FRONT AXLE SEALS, WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING PUMP , FUEL INJECTION PUMP AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. REPAIRED OVER $ 6400 IN EXPENSE - THE DASH PROBLEM BROKE THE MONKEY'S BACK. *AK

NHTSA ID
10194859
Incident
Jun 20, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 14, 2007

2001 DODGE RAM 2500 REG CAB LONG BED PICKUP. VEHICLE HAS 26,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND AFTER MAJOR FRONT END REPAIRS( UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, STABILIZER BAR LINKS, STABILIZER SHOCK AND BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS) FOR STEERING PROBLEMS, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE TRUCK IS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE AND WANDERS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IF CONSTANT ATTENTION AND OVER CORRECTION OF STEERING IS NOT ADHERED TOO. DRIVING IS A TASK AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10185117
Incident
Mar 14, 2007
Mileage
25,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING RACK HAD FAILED. UPDATED 10/25/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10168140
Incident
Sep 6, 2006
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jun 27, 2006

MY BRAKES AND STEERING HAVE FAILED FOUR TIMES ON MY DODGE RAM. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CHRYSLER AND IN BOTH CASES THE REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO ASSIST ME. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I HAVE HAD MY BRAKES FAIL FOUR TIMES ON MY DODGE RAM 3/4 TON TRUCK. THEY SAID MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THAT I AM 2700 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY THAT IS ALL THAT CAN BE DONE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10160933
Incident
Nov 20, 2000
Mileage
4,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 5, 2005

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE 2500 CUMMINS DIESEL 4X4 THAT I TAKE IMMACULATE CARE OF, AND HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE THIS WEEK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I REALIZE I HAVE NO STEERING. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AT THE STEERING LINKAGE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX HAD BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD IT ON HAD BOTH SHEERED OFF AND CRACKED THE MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE GEAR BOX AS WELL. MY FAMILY AND I ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I CONTACTED LITHIA MOTORS AND TOLD THEM MY SITUATION AND SHE INSISTED THAT I HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM BEFORE ANY WARRANTY WOULD BE CONSIDERED. I TOWED IT OUT THERE. I SHOWED THE SERVICE MANAGER BECKY BRINKA ONE OF THE BOLTS THAT SHEERED OFF (THE OTHER IS STILL STUCK IN THE FRAME). WHEN I SHOWED HER THE BOLT, SHE SAID SHE WOULD NEED THE BOLT FOR HER DIAGNOSIS. I TOLD HER THAT SHE COULD LOOK AT IT BUT I WAS GOING TO KEEP THE BOLT IN MY POSSESSION. SHE IMMEDIATELY BECAME RUDE AND UNHELPFUL. THE MECHANIC WENT OUT TO LOOK AT MY TRUCK AND CAME BACK IN WITH THE DIAGNOSIS THAT THE BOLTS HAD SHEERED OFF. THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN CONTACTED THE DISTRICT MANAGER ABOUT THE SITUATION. SHE CALLED ME BACK TO INFORM ME THAT IT WAS MY FAULT. I MUST NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE VERY WELL. AT THIS TIME I POINTED OUT THAT SHE HAS MY SERVICE RECORDS ON FILE FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS AND TO SHOW ME WHERE I HAD MISSED ANYTHING. SHE THEN TELLS ME THAT THE DISTRICT MANAGER SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. SO, I'M TOWING OUT OF THEIR FACILITY. I'LL HAVE SOMEONE ELSE FIX IT. MEANWHILE DODGE GETS AWAY WITH MURDER AND ISN'T HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SAFETY ISSUES. HOW CAN SOMEONE LIKE ME FIGHT DODGE? I CAN'T GET ANYWHERE AT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE#, AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE ME THE PHONE# OF THE DISTRICT MANAGER. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO? TAKE THEM TO COURT? I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT AND THEY KNOW THIS. THEY FIGURE I'LL JUST GO AWAY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10131751
Incident
Aug 2, 2005
Mileage
80,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 7, 2005
Crash reported

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING EARLY IN THE MORNING WITH A FULLY LOADED TRAILER WHEN HE LOST STEERING CONTROL AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH A FENCE CAUSING LOTS OF DAMAGE TOTHE VEHICLE AND DESTROYING THE FENCE. VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN CONSUMER LOST STEERING. CONSUMER FOUND THAT STEERING COLUMN HAD FALLEN APART. THE SHAFT GOING FROM THE GEAR BOX TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT CAME APART. THE BOLT LOOSENED AND ALLOWED FOR SHAFT TO SEPARATE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE SHAFT BACK TOGETHER AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE. THE CONSUMER PUT LOCK TIGHT ON BOLT AND MARKED SHAFT TO SEE IF IT WOULD MOVE AGAIN. CONSUMER HAS AN ACCIDENT REPORT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10127812
Incident
May 19, 2005
Mileage
171,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 5, 2005

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT, AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117487
Incident
Jan 20, 2005
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 18, 2005

DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECTING THE VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HAD MANY ALIGNMENTS DONE BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND NO LUBRICATION, THE STEERING SHAFT AND TRAC BAR WAS REPLACED AND THE STEERING BOX WAS ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND IN HIS OPINION ALTERNATE VALVE LOCATED IN THE STEERING WAS NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD, WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE VALVE IT EXTREMELY BURNT FROM OVERHEATING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NO LONGER HAS ANY PROBLEMS STEERING THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10115597
Incident
Mar 1, 2005
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 14, 2005

DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TAKING A 2 MILE DRIVE, HE NOTICE HE HAD TO CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECT TO THE LEFT AND THEN THE RIGHT. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONETS ON THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEM, THE REPLACED ALL THE BALL JOINTS WHICH WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND HAD NO GREASE, THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED, THE TRAC BAR WAS REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE MOVEMENT. IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT A ALTERNATE VALVE IN THE STEERING BOX WAS NOT PERFORMING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO, WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK THE VALVE OUT IT WAS BURNED FROM OVERHEATING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10115204
Incident
Mar 1, 2005

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