2018 RAM 3500 Steering Problems

My 2018 Ram 3500 had safety recall V06 (19V-021) performed, which involved welding the drag link. This recall remedy has caused a secondary safety defect: my vehicle is now severely out of alignment, causing rapid, uneven tire wear on the outside edges and compromising steering handling. I contacted FCA Customer Care (Case #97534845). They acknowledged TSB 19-001-19 exists for aligning welded trucks, yet my dealer refuses/is unable to align it. FCA representative 'May' then instructed me to 'pay out of pocket' to replace the steering components. FCA is refusing to honor the replacement clause outlined in their own STAR case 9100268. The manufacturer's recall remedy has ruined my steering geometry, and FCA is refusing to fix the safety hazard they created

NHTSA ID

11752491

Incident

Jul 23, 2026

Before the recall, I was driving my vehicle and the brakes and the power steering locked up. The vehicle felt like it was trying to drive with the emergency brake on. After this happened, I took the vehicle to Haley Jeep Jam, Richmond, VA, and they said they couldn't determine anything was wrong, but replaced the brake pads. Shortly after this visit to the service department, the recall appeared. Since the recall, we have contacted Haley Jeep Ram and Whitten Brothers multiple times, but they are unable to fix the recall due to no resolution from Daimler Chrysler. In August 2025, Whitten Brothers, Ashland, VA, replaced the part with a new, recalled part as a temporary fix. There is still no permanent fix for this recall which continues to be a safety risk. Since the vehicle has an outstanding safety recall, we are unable to sell or trade in this vehicle. We have been patiently waiting but believe this should no longer be our problem. Daimler Chrysler needs to do the right thing to assist the vehicle owners. We have mailed a corresponding letter to NHTSA. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ID

11748352

Incident

Dec 16, 2024

No solution for the antilock breaking system,causing drivability issues and loss of traction control,abs and control on numerous occasions.

NHTSA ID

11700789

Incident

Nov 21, 2025

24V-896. This recall is a safety issue known for years. There is still no action from the manufacturer! I was extremely lucky to avoid a serious collision. The only solution the manufacturer offers is to authorize a dealer to replace the parts with another secondary market provider part, but they won’t cover the cost or warrant the replacement. How many YEARS do I have to drive an unsafe vehicle?!!!

NHTSA ID

11687726

Incident

Jul 16, 2025

Brakes went out and steering which caused loss of control of vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11638540

Incident

Jan 13, 2025

My vehicle is experiencing an abnormal free play in the steering wheel during driving on mountain roads. The steering box will all of a sudden get “light” and over steer in a long corner and has been getting worse, I have had several other friends that have experienced total failure of the steering box and have reported that the problem gets worse over time, before complete failure of steering. My nearest dealer has confirmed that the steering box may need to be replaced but it is not a “recall”! Seems pretty dangerous to me if steering may fail. Many online forums have numerous customers with same issue and had to have steering box replaced for this exact senerio. This is a highly costly repair and my truck only has 73kmiles on it. I feel this is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed by Ram! Especially if they have replaced steering boxes due to this exact complaint. They quoted me over $2500 to replace, but said it was not covered under a recall? I am very nervous driving this truck when this situation has gotten worse and is very noticeable when driving.

NHTSA ID

11638525

Incident

Mar 30, 2023

Abs/traction control light. Dealer says it needs a new abs module and pump. It’s too new to have these issues, dealer states that it is not a recall and I would have to pay out of pocket ($1600) for the repairs. This is not safe at all. I live in indiana and doesn’t like stopping when the road is snow covered. Ram/chrysler needs to have this recalled immediately. This is very dangerous!!

NHTSA ID

11578365

Incident

Mar 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly steered to the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The contacted turned the steering wheel between the 10 and 11 0’clock positions to keep the vehicle aligned. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was then towed to a local mechanic however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11563236

Incident

Oct 28, 2023

Mileage

102,000 mi

I was driving on the interstate highway. While driving at 60 mph towing a fifth wheel RV the front end shuddered for several seconds. Then the drivers side front wheel assembly broke off at the wheel studs. I was able to safely get to the breakdown lane. The drivers side front wheel assembly struck another vehicle traveling the oncoming lane. I was told that the vehicle that was struck was totaled. The police on scene documented the incident. The insurance representative has been notified and approved the repair. The collision repair facility documented. I also have pictures indicating broken front wheel studs.

NHTSA ID

11532925

Incident

Jul 7, 2023

1. ABS pump failure, stable tract for steering. Available for inspection if requested. When this warning light comes on cruise control will not function. 2. If ABS failure cannot slow down in a timely manner danger to occupants. 3. Yes 4. Unknown 5. Yes, warning lamps appeared at 15,000 miles. Would like to see this be a recall because numerous other owners have this same issue.

NHTSA ID

11502430

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 55-70 MPH, he lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then continued driving by the side of the road at 35 MPH and took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The lug nuts were welded to the adjustment sleeve; however, the drag link was not replaced. The contact stated that the weld later fractured, and the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Carson Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (3059 S Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701) where it was diagnosed that the drag link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. However, the contact had not received any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

NHTSA ID

11495702

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

4,000 mi

My ABS system has been experiencing intermittent failure, warning light comes on vehicle loses abs Also can’t align front end due to previous recall where dealership welded tie rod adjusting sleeve due to defect in lock nuts. Now vehicle eating front tires. How can a permanent fix remove a necessary adjustment. I understand welding as a temporary fix, until parts available to correct original factory defect. This is ridiculous

NHTSA ID

11456963

Incident

Mar 16, 2022

Dodge RAM put out a Recall V06 to inspect / weld the drag link adjuster sleeve for the steering. I was lead to believe that a new replacement adjuster sleeve would be coming that would not require being welded, once those parts were available, we could have the adjuster sleeve replaced that was welded. Here is the issue, EVERY TRUCK that has had the adjuster sleeve welded has to have those welds ground off when an alignment is done and then REWELDED at the cost to the customer. That doesn't seem right or fair, I'm told there is a new part available for the proper repair but the customer has to purchase this at around $400.00. Why should the customer have to pay $159 to have the adjuster sleeve that was welded per a safety issued recall UNWELDED to have an alignment done and then rewelded. Alignments are a maintenance issue and this cost should not be stuck to the owner of the vehicle, I feel Dodge Ram should be replacing these welded sleeves with the new part available at NO cost to the customer so future alignments can be performed as normal. [XXX] AEP / PSO American Electric Power - Public Service Co. of Oklahoma We have a fleet of these vehicles that had this recall done. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11448948

Incident

Jan 26, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started bouncing and he lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated as he released the accelerator pedal, he was able to regain control of the steering wheel. The steering warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle, but he could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated as he attempted to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel started vibrating uncontrollably. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering linkage needed to be replaced and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist since the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,100.

NHTSA ID

11436816

Incident

Jul 14, 2021

Mileage

100,100 mi

WHILE TURNING AROUND ON A PAVED CUL DE SAC TYPE END OF ROAD AREA I COULD NOT COMPLETE THE TURN 100% TURNING LEFT. I STOPPED, PUT TRUCK IN REVERSE AND TURNED THE WHEEL RIGHT IN ORDER TO BACK UP SOME. TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE HARDLY AT ALL. INITIALLY I THOUGHT THE 4WD OR TRANSMISSION WAS "LOCKED". I PUT TRUCK IN PARK AND FOUND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD END/DRAG LINK SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE. THE TIE ROD END BALL SOCKET HAD APPARENTLY SEPARATED FROM THE MALE BALL PART CONNECTED TO THE KNUCKLE DUE TO A "CRACK" IN THE METAL. SEE ATTACHED PICTURE. TRUCK WAS FLAT BED TOWED TO RICK HENDRICK DODGE, SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON SC.

NHTSA ID

11399671

Incident

Mar 5, 2021

Mileage

21,000 mi

DUE TO SAFETY RECALL V06, I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL IN MY TRUCK AFTER AN ALIGNMENT, LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL IN A $60K TRUCK OFF. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER SINCE NOVEMBER 2020, AND THEY CONTINUE TO CLOSE MY CASE AND HAVE NOT ONCE RETURNED A CALL. I EXPECT THIS RECALL TO BE HANDLED PROPERLY, AND NOT JUST WELDED TOGETHER.

NHTSA ID

11398101

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDMARK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (6850 MT ZION BLVD, MORROW, GA 30260, (770) 968-4900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A TIRE REPLACEMENT, ALIGNMENT AND DRAG LINK ADJUSTMENT NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18E096000 (STEERING) PRIOR TO THE CONTACT TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000.

NHTSA ID

11353207

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

8,000 mi

I PURCHASED A NEW 2018 RAM 3500 THAT HAD SAFETY RECALL V06/NHTSA 19V-021 WORK PERFORMED ON IT PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE TRUCK. I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE AND I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE "FIX" THAT RAM HAS DONE. THE RECALL CALLS FOR THE WELDING OF STEERING COMPONENTS RATHER THAN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. NOW THAT THE WELDING HAS BEEN DONE I HAVE BEEN TOLD I WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO HAVE THE FRONT TIRES ALIGNED WITHOUT CUTTING THE WELDS FIRST IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS. THEN THE WELDING PROCEDURE WILL NEED TO BE PERFORMED AGAIN I GUESS. THE CURRENT SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE UPDATED TO REQUIRE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE STEERING PARTS.

NHTSA ID

11310118

Incident

Jul 10, 2019

Mileage

5 mi

WHEN HITTING BUMPS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH THE TRUCK WILL SOMETIMES START SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING VIOLENTLY ALMOST CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT DOES NOT DO IT ON ALL BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS. IT SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENT WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN A CURVE OR HITTING A BUMP WITH FIRST ONE WHEEL THEN THE OPPOSITE WHEEL HITS ONE. IT DOES THIS LOADED OR UNLOADED AND HAS DONE IT WHILE PULLING A 16000 POUND FIFTH WHEEL RV. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 16000 MILES ON IT AND HAS DONE IT ABOUT 10 TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. I HAVE IT BACK IN THE SHOP AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND HAVE STARTED A TICKET WITH CHRYSLER. SO FAR THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING.

NHTSA ID

11306390

Incident

Jan 24, 2020

Mileage

16,000 mi

WELDED DRAGLINK RENDERING THE FRONT SUSPENSION NOT ABLE TO BE ALIGNED. THIS WAS THE APPROVED RECALL PROCESS FROM FCA. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE TO THE ISSUE, JUST A BANDAID TO THE UNDERLYING ISSUE. THE RECALL WAS APPROVED BY FCA AND NHTSA. APPROVED REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM CRESTVIEW, CRESTVIEW, FL. 32536. REPAIR ORDER 381821-OPEN ON 04/26/2019.

NHTSA ID

11301064

Incident

Apr 26, 2019

Mileage

17,640 mi

SAFETY RECALL V06 / NHTSA 19V-021 DRAG LINK - JANUARY 25, 2019 THIS SO CALLED 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! SIGNED, OWNER OF A 2018 RAM 3500 WHICH I ORDERED AND PURCHASED NEW.

NHTSA ID

11300576

Incident

Jan 9, 2020

Mileage

12,000 mi

2018 RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING ISSUE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRAG LINK FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND BE REIMBURSED. *JS

NHTSA ID

11283212

Incident

Sep 6, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO M&L CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (406 PIEDMONT DR, LEXINGTON, NC 27295, (336) 295-1329) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V021000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THE NUTS ON THE TRACK BAR WERE WELDED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID

11254643

Incident

Sep 10, 2019

Mileage

20,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL TO WELD THE DRAG NUT LINK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO NOT HAVE AN ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT NHTSA WAS IN CHARGE OF AGREEING TO THE REMEDY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11253130

Incident

Aug 22, 2019

RAM ISSUED A RECALL FOR IT'S STEERING LINKAGE THAT MAY COME APART. THE SOLUTION WAS TO WELD THE BOLTS SO THEY CAN NOT BE LOOSENED. THE FIX NOW FAILS TO ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE PROPERLY CENTERED WHEN THE VEHICLE NEEDS AN ALIGNMENT AND THE WHEEL IS OUT OF CENTER. I WAS TOLD BY THE ALIGNMENT SHOP THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD VIA A MEMO FROM CHRYSLER THAT THEY ARE NOT TO CUT THE WELDS AND TO REFER THE CUSTOMER BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE ANOTHER TIRE STORE DID THE INITIAL WORK AND NOT THE DEALER. THE ALIGNMENT COMPANY IS LES SCHWAB IN RENO, NEVADA AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSING TO DO THE WORK IS DOLAN RAM, 700 KIETZKE LANE, RENO, NEVADA

NHTSA ID

11233286

Incident

Jul 17, 2019

Mileage

1,820 mi