2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Steering Problems

.The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse in the driveway, the steering wheel made an abnormal cracking sound and became significantly loosened. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the tie rod had fractured. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V529000 (Steering). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 162,020. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11596367

Incident

Jun 24, 2024

Mileage

162,020 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DEATH WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING AND THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TRACK BAR HIMSELF AND ORDERED A DODGE RAM BOLT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11187468

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESUMED DRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE. IN ADDITION, EACH TIME THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP, THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE TIRES WOBBLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

11076672

Incident

Mar 7, 2018

Mileage

122,000 mi

THERE IS A TERRIBLE WOBBLE WHEN RUNNING AT SPEED AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11046550

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE STEERING. THE STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED LEFT AND RIGHT, WHICH PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM SAFELY DRIVING OVER 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF A DEATH WOBBLE WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. MORE THAN ONE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PROVIDED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THE MANUFACTURER COULD REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10983468

Incident

Jun 20, 2011

MY 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 HAS DEATH WOBBLE IN WHEN YOU BARELY HIT A BUMP. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE SHAKING IS TO BRING THE TRUCK TO A COMPLETE STOP. WE HAVE HAD THE TIE ROD RECALL FIXED. BEFORE THE RECALL THE TRUCK DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, IT ONLY OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS FIXED. THE DODGE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED BUT WE GOT A SECOND OPINION AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BALL JOINTS ON OUR TRUCK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW.

NHTSA ID

10948509

Incident

Jan 19, 2017

Mileage

325,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 08V641000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 09E001000 (STEERING), 13V528000 (STEERING), 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V352000 (AIR BAGS. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10930170

Incident

Dec 5, 2008

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TIE ROD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID

10885628

Incident

Jul 9, 2016

Mileage

86,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE AND SWITCH LANES, THE STEERING LINKAGE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,658.

NHTSA ID

10851632

Incident

Mar 23, 2016

Mileage

63,658 mi

ITS A SHAM ON THERE BUY BACK THEY USE KELLY BLUE BOOK WHEN NADA IS STANDARD KELLY BLUE BOOK IS ABOUT 65 PERCENT LESS THEN INDUSTRY NORM THEM THE BUY BACK IS PLACED AT ABOUT 75 PERCENT INCREASE FOR SALE EXAMPLE 2008 DODGE 3500.00 CLEAN TRADE IN 10500.00 CLEAN RETAIL 18500.00 LOOKS TO ME SOME ONE MADE A DEAL WITH KELLY BLUE BOOK NADA CLEAN TRADE IN 17000.00 . THE SAME TYPE AND YEAR OF VEHICLE ABOVE SOLD AT AUTO AUCTION . WHICH SELL UNDER BLUE BOOK IN ROUGH CONDITION FOR 11500.00. TELL ME HOW THIS IS NOT A SHAM AND COMES ANYWHERE CLOSE TO WHAT THE COURT ORDERED

NHTSA ID

10839264

Incident

Mar 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10837496

Incident

Feb 21, 2016

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) AND 13V528000 (STEERING) AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE DEALER ONLY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10808401

Incident

Dec 13, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 02/02/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/30/18*JB *JS

NHTSA ID

10807442

Incident

Apr 27, 2015

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AND TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE ENTERING A PARKING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 04/04/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED ONLY THE LEFT TIE ROD WAS AN ISSUE. UPDATED 04/06/16.

NHTSA ID

10794859

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

Mileage

80,000 mi

BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 50/75 HITTING BUMPS SEPARATION OF ROAD & BRIDGES WILL TRIGGER THE DEATH WOBBLE I BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR ALMOST 6 YRS I'VE INSTALLED NEW TRACK BAR,INNER & OUTER TIE RODS LAST MONT KEEPING THE TIRES ROTATED & BALANCE ALMOST GOT REAREND BY 18 WHEELER HAD TO SLM ON BRAKES LOCK EM DOWN TO STOP THIS BRUTAL SHAKE VERY IRRITATING DEALING WITH THIS AT SEVERAL TIMES IT WILL SHAKE INTO THE OTHER LANE ALMOST CAUSING WREAKS PLEASE HELP THANKS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10748920

Incident

Mar 30, 2010

Mileage

40,000 mi

WHEN I PULLED OUT OF AN INTERSECTION, REACHED A SPEED OF 25MPH, THE TRUCK JERKED LEFT UNCONTROLLABLY. FINALLY STOPPED WEN I HIT A DITCH, LOOKED, TIE ROD HAD CAME APART.

NHTSA ID

10744053

Incident

Jul 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD WAS FAULTY AND THE FRONT END TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 10/27/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10730392

Incident

Dec 25, 2014

Mileage

115,000 mi

DRIVE DOWN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 80 MPH AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY. I HAD TO SLOW THE TRUCK TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE THE STEERING WOULD STOP SHAKING. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

10722825

Incident

May 29, 2015

Mileage

163,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 31 IN GALLATIN, TENNESSEE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE RIGHT STEERING ARM BROKE RENDERING MY TRUCK UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS WAS AFTER HAVING RECEIVED TWO RECALL NOTICES ON THE STEERING ARM AND TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND EACH TIME BEING TOLD THAT THOSE ARMS WERE NOT ON THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10716889

Incident

Apr 27, 2015

Mileage

131,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TWO AUTHORIZED DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10694162

Incident

Nov 10, 2014

APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS (AND 2637 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING) AFTER HAVING SAFETY RECALL N62 / NHTSA 13V-528 WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY LANDERS MCLARTY DEALERSHIP IN HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA, THE DRAG LINK DISCONNECTED DISCONNECTED FROM THE RIGHT TIE ROD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THIS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO CROSS OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANES AND ENTER A DITCH BEFORE I COULD STOP THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT CONDUCTED PER DEALER SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS. LANDERS MCLARTY DODGE SERVICE MANAGER HAD PROVIDED ME AN E-MAIL INDICATING "I HAVE TALKED TO ALL 3 OF THE TECHNICIANS THAT PERFORM THIS RECALL, AND THEY ALL STATED THAT THEY USE AN IMPACT GUN TO ACTUALLY INSTALL THAT NUT, DUE TO THE TEFLON THAT IS ON THE INSIDE OF IT TO KEEP IT FROM BACKING OFF AFTER IT IS INSTALLED. IT IS VERY TOUGH AND IS VERY TIME CONSUMING TO INSTALL WITH HAND TOOLS." THE DEALER SERVICE INSTRUCTION STATE AT STEP #16. CONNECT THE DRAG LINK TO THE RIGHT TIE ROD END (FIGURE 8). TIGHTEN THE NEW DRAG LINK RETAINING NUT TO 96 FT. LBS. (130 NM). THE ASSOCIATED FIGURE 8 CLEARLY INDICATES THE USE OF A TORQUE WRENCH AND IS LABELED AS SUCH. BEING AN ENGINEER AND FAMILIAR WITH LOCK NUTS AND BOLTED JOINT DESIGN, I BELIEVE THE USE OF AN IMPACT GUN FOR INSTALLATION COULD RESULT IN A BROKEN/CRACKED NUT, OR LOSS OF THE TEFLON LOCKING FEATURE DUE TO HEATING OR MECHANICAL ABUSE DURING INSTALLATION. LANDERS MCLARTY SHOULD RE-ACCOMPLISH RECALL WORK FOR ALL VEHICLES THAT USED IMPACT GUN TO ACCOMPLISH THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10639764

Incident

Sep 17, 2014

Mileage

108,000 mi

WE JUST BOUGHT A USED PICKUP THAT HAS AN OPEN RECALL...CHRYSLER N62...ON THE STEERING. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DODGE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, WE WERE TOLD THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS RECALL WOULD TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 2-3 YEARS TO GET FROM DODGE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, AS WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO USE, NOT SIT AND WAIT FOR PARTS. THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL, AND I DEMAND THE REPAIRS BE COMPLETED IN A TIMELY MANNER, NOT 2-3 YEARS. I WOULD ACCEPT 2-3 WEEKS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10631107

Incident

Sep 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING SINCE JANUARY OF 2014 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V527000 (STEERING) AND 13V528000 (STEERING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR AND THAT THEIR LIFT WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO LIFT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10626376

Incident

Dec 2, 2013

2008 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE LENGTH OF TIME TO COMPLETE RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS PLACED ON A WAITING LIST, BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. RECALL# 13V529000. *JB THE CONSUMER FOUND A DEALER, TO REPLACE THE TIE ROD. UPDATED 09/25/14

NHTSA ID

10619610

Incident

Aug 1, 2014

2008 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LEFT TIE ROD RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ONLY LOOKED AT THE LEFT TIE ROD, AND STATED THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE REPLACED BOTH TIE RODS. THE DEALER DID NOT AGREE, THAT BOTH SIDES WERE SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN, HE WAS INFORMED, THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOT COVERED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10618561

Incident

Aug 1, 2014