NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
17 reportsClear category filter30,000 miles · Jul 4, 2020
Steering
AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND AS SEMI TRUCKS PASS ME THIS ROADTREK 190 VERILITE DODGE RAM 3500 UNCONTROLABLY MOVE A FOOT TO 2 FEET TOWARD THE CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD WHICH I FEAR COULD CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION. I HAVE TRIED VARIOUS TIRE PRESSURES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS. I BASICALLY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. …
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AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND AS SEMI TRUCKS PASS ME THIS ROADTREK 190 VERILITE DODGE RAM 3500 UNCONTROLABLY MOVE A FOOT TO 2 FEET TOWARD THE CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD WHICH I FEAR COULD CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION. I HAVE TRIED VARIOUS TIRE PRESSURES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS. I BASICALLY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES AND EXCELLENT TREAD ON TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #11337416
39,000 miles · Nov 9, 2010
SteeringSuspension
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 …
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365175
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
2001 DODGE RAM 3500 CUMMINGS ENGINE (AUTO TRANS) ON STEERING/BRAKE HYDRAULIC ASSIST SYSTEM*CW 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 ANYTHIN…
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2001 DODGE RAM 3500 CUMMINGS ENGINE (AUTO TRANS) ON STEERING/BRAKE HYDRAULIC ASSIST SYSTEM*CW 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. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10314321
206,070 miles · Jul 23, 2009
SteeringStructure
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…
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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 2,500.00 . 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 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278014
49,100 miles · Oct 4, 2005
SteeringSuspension
MY HUSBAND NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, TOOK TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, TOLD ME IT NEEDED TRACK BAR AND PISTON, I QUESTIONED THE COST HE THEN TOLD ME ONLY NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WENT TO REPAIR FACILITY RECOMMENDED BY DEALER, SPECIALIST WOULDN'T DO WORK BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THEY REFUSED TO WORK …
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MY HUSBAND NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, TOOK TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, TOLD ME IT NEEDED TRACK BAR AND PISTON, I QUESTIONED THE COST HE THEN TOLD ME ONLY NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WENT TO REPAIR FACILITY RECOMMENDED BY DEALER, SPECIALIST WOULDN'T DO WORK BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE. TOOK TRUCK TO ANOTHER DODGE DEALER, BALL JOINTS WERE SO BAD THEY WERE DANGEROUS, TRACK BAR, INNER TIE ROD, AND THE HUB BEARINGS CRUMBLED WHEN THEY WERE REMOVED. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT IS ONLY COVERING THE BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 DODGE 3500 4X4 DUALLY, THAT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF PAVED ROADS IT IS NOT ABUSED AND ONLY HAS 49000 MILES ON IT AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT HELP I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANUFACTURING QUALITY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10138479
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2005
Steering
DT: 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…
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DT: 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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10129624
105,000 miles · May 12, 2004
Service Brakes, AirSteering
THE CUMMINGS DIESEL ENGINE. THE VACUUM PUMP COUPLINGS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE POWER STEERING UNIT WHICH SITS ON TWO 1/4 PIECES OF STEEL AND CONTROLS THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ARE BROKEN , RESULTING IN NO STEERING AND BRAKING. CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER. HOWEVER, NO ONE WILL TALK TO CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10073569
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2004
SteeringCrash
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. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10065458
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2003
Steering
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE LEFT CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10044945
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2003
SteeringCrashInjury
THE POWER STEERING FAILED OR LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO INCIDENT. THERE WERE INJURIES.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10010013
Official recalls
1May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE08047 · 2000-2001 Dodge RAM Pickup Hood Latch
Opened Jul 25, 2008 · Closed Dec 17, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch; Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
PE02049 · Tire Valve
Opened Jun 3, 2002 · Closed Oct 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires
No summary supplied.
Illustration