Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 RAM 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 49 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.
The 25 most recent of 49, in the owner's own words
At 31,000 mile my horn is no longer working along with my steering wheel controls on the left side of the wheel. Upon researching online it seems these truck have a common issue with clock spring fail. This is concerning because not only does the clock spring provide power to the horn and steering wheel controls, it could also effect the airbag function.
This CHEAP fix is abhorrent! It calls for welding an adjustable part of the steering linkage rendering it non- adjustable when having the front end aligned in the future. Not to mention the effect of welding, potentially causing a problem with the integrity of the metal. The correct fix for this SAFETY issue is to REPLACE this steering linkage component, the entire Drag Link! NOT do a "back yard, shade tree mechanic" weld job on the steering linkage of all things! I am appalled that NHTSA approved such a thing. PLEASE revisit this issue and do the right thing. Require Chrysler (FCA US LLC) to REPLACE this defective part with the proper part. Note.... Chrysler is not welding the nuts on the drag links on trucks coming off the assembly line! They are coming off with proper, safe, adjustable drag links! I contacted FCA and they said they cannot redo the recall because it's out of the window to get it repaired again. This is not a safe fix. The recall says after this welding, the vehicle can still get a proper alignment from dealer, which is not true. I contacted the dealer and they said I should contact FCA, but that sent me back to my original issue. I can't get an alignment even though the recall fix says I can. I dealer refuses to do it. I bought this truck used from the dealer and they wouldn't fix it at the time either. I pull a fifth wheel trailer with my truck and I need an alignment. This recall weld fix is just not right, a cheap fix for a long-term problem and very unsafe. Please help and please point me in the right direction. Thank you
I am writing to formally demand that Stellantis replace the drag link assembly on my 2017 Ram 2500 at no cost to me. The welding performed during Safety Recall V06 in 2019 has rendered my vehicle unable to receive proper wheel alignment, creating an ongoing safety issue and causing premature tire wear. Background In 2019, my vehicle was brought to dealer to have Safety Recall V06 performed. The recall procedure involved welding the jam nuts to the adjuster sleeve on the drag link. I was not informed at the time that this welding would permanently prevent future alignment adjustments to the drag link. Approximately three months ago, I purchased new tires for my vehicle. When I took my truck to have a wheel alignment performed, I was informed that the alignment cannot be completed because the drag link jam nuts are welded and cannot be adjusted. The alignment is significantly out of specification, causing uneven tire wear and compromised vehicle handling. Current Situation I contacted Hendricks Ram in Cary NC regarding this issue. The dealership has confirmed that: 1.My vehicle cannot be properly aligned due to the welded drag link 2.Ram/Stellantis is refusing to break the welds and replace with the new adjustable drag link kit 3.I am being asked to pay approximately $2,000 out of pocket to correct a problem that was directly caused by Stellantis's recall repair Legal and Regulatory Basis for This Demand October 2023 TSB Update: Stellantis issued revised Technical Service Bulletin instructions for Recall V06 in October 2023 (RCRIT-19V021-0837). This TSB provides that vehicles should be inspected and, depending on conditions found, either have the nuts permanently welded OR the drag link replaced. My vehicle's alignment is out of specification and cannot be corrected—this clearly qualifies for drag link replacement under the revised procedures.
1. Failure to Address a Safety Recall Promptly When scheduling the appointment, I informed the dealership of an open safety recall (Recall V06, NHTSA 19V-021) involving the steering linkage jam nut (a defect which can cause loss of steering control). This recall is critical for safety, yet I was told on the phone that the dealership “could not work on it yet” due to unspecified changes being made by the manufacturer. Upon arrival, I asked again about this recall. The service advisor stated it would require a separate appointment with a “special mechanic” and thus declined to even inspect the vehicle that day. This is extremely disheartening – a known safety defect (announced in January 2019) remains unaddressed on my truck almost seven years later, and the dealership made no effort to expedite or even evaluate the need for repair. As a loyal Dodge customer, I am very concerned that an authorized dealer would postpone a safety recall inspection, leaving me driving a potentially unsafe vehicle. Safety recalls should be handled with urgency, and I urge Dodge to ensure that this recall (V06) is rectified on my truck immediately. It is unacceptable that I must continue driving with a defect that “can result in a loss of steering control… causing a crash without warning,” according to the recall description I found on your site.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the drag link nut was welded, and the vehicle was unable to be aligned. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the weld needed to be cut, the vehicle aligned, and then the drag link nut welded again. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The contact was informed about the reimbursement process for the repair. The failure mileage was unknown.
When I have gone to slow down and try to stop, the vehicle has slide forward a fee times. I thought it was a little weird, but didn't think to much of it. After a while, my transmission started acting up as well. I will be driving down the road about 50-60mph and it will shift to 4th gear and not come out of 4th gear until stopped and shut off and restarted. I recently heard about the recall when I took my truck to the dealership that is close to where I am located at the moment. I decided to research about the recall and what could happen if that part fails. It showed me that if the recalled part fails, it will cause all the problems that is going on with my truck. I am a full-time rv'er and trailer the country pulling an rv everywhere I go. I am stuck where I am until my truck can be fixed of these problems. This is a major setback and a major financial burden to have to stay where I am until it is fixed. I am near Thomson, GA where I am waiting to have my vehicle fixed.
My HCU has failed resulting in loss of traction & locked steering wheel. The truck is not safely operable at this time and dealerships have repeatedly told me they can’t fix it. This has been going on for 2 months.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while an employee was driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a whining sound, and vibration coming from the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with drained power steering fluid and a hole in the power steering hose. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,250.
CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON, AND STEERING NOT TURNING LEFT AT TIMES.
During a snow storm, ABS and traction control lamps came on. The truck would not come to a controlled stop. After much sliding and skidding it came to a stop by hitting a snow abatement and curb line.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was not aligned. The steering wheel was upside down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated they would have to break the welds. The mechanic declined to repair the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer, who stated that they would break the welds and reweld the drag link. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case and informed her the coverage had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Service antilock braking system and service electric braking system constantly flashes off and on as if there is a short and all I can do apparently (according to the dealer) is replace the module which is Astronomically priced! Apparently there are a lot of people having this issue. As far as the steering it has been loose since the beginning as there is 2½" of play and everyone blames the steering box but I have invested way to much chasing the problem with no luck.
The steering components are causing it to be difficult keeping the vehicle in the driving lane; the vehicle wanders from side to side. Two seperate Dealers cannot locate the problem.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall was performed. The contact stated that he was informed that the mechanic temporarily welded the nut to the adjuster sleeve and later assembled the drag link welds; however, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was pulling to the right. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics where the contact was informed that an alignment was needed; however, due to the welding, the alignment could not be performed. Additionally, the contact stated that due to the alignment not being performed he had to replace the tires several times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was provided a cost for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there would be a charge for any repair on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Recall for the drag link on this series of 2500 trucks calls for welding an adjustable part of the steering linkage - the drag link jam nuts, rendering that part non-adjustable. Once welded, to then perform an alignment the welds would need to be carefully ground off, alignment work performed, and then once again everything re-torqued and welded back in place per the recall advisory steps. Also consider the effects of welding, grinding, and welding again and again over the life of this HD truck. An alignment is critical to towing thousands of pounds, pulling to the side and overcorrecting while towing a load because a simple alignment is no longer possible is arguably just as dangerous as the original issue attempted to be mitigated (loss of steering). The correct fix for this safety issue is to replace this drag link component, not render the truck unusable. A new drag link without this issue has been engineered and made available for sale, but my VIN says its not eligible for it as a covered recall repair. This is an OEM design failure with a short-sighted workaround that renders the vehicle useless over time; seems ridiculous for the customer to be financially responsible for this failure. Attached photo is of the welded, "recall completed", drag link on my now horribly misaligned truck.
Mopar issued a safety recall for a problem with the jamb nuts on the drag-link becoming loose. I had the recall completed with the expectation that "welding" the adjustable components in place would be a temporary repair until the corrected components were available and then the parts would be replaced. I have made many attempts to contact Mopar to discuss this issue but I haven't been successful. I think welding an adjustable suspension / steering component in place, preventing a re-alignment is ridiculous.
I HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS TRUCKS STEERING BEFORE. Complaint#11253556. The recall on the DRAG LINK, which effects steering, has NOT been corrected even tho the recall "weld fix" was done. The truck STILL PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I have had 4 wheel alignments. There is NO room for any alignment to be effective. I complained about this problem BEFORE the recall and it NEEDS TO BE FIXED. The dealer has done nothing to help.
I noticed my shifter being very loose and getting harder to put in park. I have always move it very gently so when it started get very loose to the point it feels like it will fall off at any moment I took of the piece of the steering wheel interior to inspect it and have found the shifter bracket is broken which can be very dangerous. I have went out and bought a new one to replace it with for mine and my children's safety.
I am inquiring as to when FCA will provide the consumer with a permanent fix for the current bandaid VO6 Drag Link recall. The idea of welded jam nuts being a “forever fix” seems ridiculous. I understand getting an alignment isn’t something that the average individual is doing on a regular basis however in the event one might modify his/her Ram it must be taken to a Ram dealer in order for the welds to be cut. I feel that this VO6 recall has been in play for long enough that FCA would have by now provided replacement parts that properly/safely fit the effected models so an alignment, and adjustments can be made without the need of breaking welds, and re-welding each time.
Had certified preowned truck aligned after purchase and shop could not adjust front end to stop pull to the right. Took it back to the dealer and they replaced a drag link (but tech said it had nothing to do with the pull) and the second time they rotated front tires left to right. Still pulls to right. Googled problem and I find that it is a common problem with Ram trucks but requires an after market install of ball joints to be able to adjust for the pull. Overheard a service writer who stated “ you can’t align a Ram”.
Reference recall 19V-021. Due to fixing the problem the steering linkage was welded, because it is welded I am unable to get a front end alignment done. So my truck now pulls to the right and there is no way to fix it.
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE UNDERBODY FRAME BOLT & NUT CAME OUT CAUSING LOAD NOISE AND FRAME ENGINE SUPPORT SHIFTED DOWN 25MILS AND FORWARD. OCCURRED IN PARKING LOT 5 MPH GOING OVER SPEED BUMP. REQUESTED DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ALL OTHER UNDERBODY TORQUE SETTING.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, ON A RIGHT HAND CORNER I TURNED AND COULD HEAR AND FEEL A 'POP'. THEN HAD SLOP IN THE STEERING, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CATASTROPHICALLY CRASH . I CONTROLLED IT ENOUGH OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A FIELD AND STOPPED, IF THERE WAS A GUARDRAIL OR DROP OFF, I WOULD HAVE MAJORLY CRASHED. I COULD TURN LEFT, GO STRAIGHT. BUT GOING RIGHT I'D TURN THE WHEEL 1 FULL TURN BEFORE IT 'ENGAGED' STEERING. AFTER INSPECTING THE TRUCK, I NOTICED THE TRACK BAR WOULD MOVE 4-6 INCHES BEFORE THE WHEELS WOULD EVER MOVE. WHEN SHAKING THE WHEEL WHILE PARKED, THE WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE BUT THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE TRUCK WAS MOVING LIKE CRAZY AS IF IT WERE DANCING. AFTER PULLING THE TRACK BAR OFF THE TRUCK, THE ENTIRE 'HEAD' AROUND THE BEARING ATTACHED TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY SHEARED SHEARED ON 1 POINT CAUSING THE BEARING TO HAVE FREE PLAY. THIS TRUCK IS 3 YEARS OLD WITH 57,000 PAVEMENT MILES. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE STEERING MECHANISM SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND COULD POTENTIALLY KILL SOMEONE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AS THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL, VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARSON DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (3059 S CARSON ST, CARSON CITY, NV 89701) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE LINK WAS WELDED AND THE TECHNICIAN CAN NOT ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE CONTACTS DESIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN AT THE SAME DEALER 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V021000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY COMPLETED AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR A VEHICLE TURN IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE SHUTDOWN AND WAS ABANDONED IN THE ROADWAY DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. VEHICLES BEHIND ME CONDUCTED EVASIVE MANEUVERS NARROWLY MISSING MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND IT HAD BROKEN INTO SEVERAL PIECES INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED WITH CHRYSLER; HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT SEE IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE. CLEARLY LOSS OF POWER WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE ON A BUSY ROADWAY IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR INJURED. I LOST POWER IN BRAKES AND STEERING.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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