Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
They Did Not INCLUDE THE 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Yet I have had the same experience several times.When travelling at highway speeds and hitting a bump or pot-hole in the road, the front end begins to shake violently and does not stop until the driver jams on the brakes and brings the truck back down to below highway speeds. Some people contribute this phenomenon to the worst possible downside of having a coil-sprung front suspension on a truck with a track bar. Unlike a typical suspension set up, Dodge Ram trucks will continue to shake long after hitting the bump to the point that controlling the vehicle is nearly impossible until the driver slows down. The current lawsuit alleges that Chrysler learned about the death wobble defect with Dodge Ram trucks in the mid-2000s but waited four years before conducting a series of recalls from 2009 through 2013. …
Van frame is rusting out, steering box that is mounted to frame is likely to fall off soon. Tie rod to frame connection also is rusting out. To my knowledge and after research on the internet, there is no reasonable fix.
October 28, 2003 Dodge customer assistance center p.o. Box 21-8004 auburn hills, mi 48321-8004 dear mr. Or ms.: I would like to acquaint your staff with the problem my 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 series with 4wd experienced last month at 128,000 miles. The vehicles VIN is:[redacted]. The problem concerns an early steering box failure which meant loss of the power steering assist disappeared. There was no damage to vehicle or person and since I was on a quiet rural highway it was a matter of routine to bring the truck to a stop and figure out what had happened. Your Dodge dealer in vancouver, wa declined to help so the truck went to my tire and suspension dealer of long standing in camas, wa and they replaced the steering box, the track bar and the tie rod ends. Im not concerned about the tie rod parts as those are wear items. …
The steering on my 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 has been sloppy/wanders for about the past two years. First, I replaced all four tires with the same standard tires. I then had it aligned and the mechanic couldn't get the steering wheel straight. So I took it to the dealer, and they recommended an independent alignment shop. There the mechanic replaced the track bar and got the steering wheel straight. That seemed to tighten up the steering wheel a bit. Several months later the wheel was sloppy again. I took it back to the dealer, and they got in and test drove it with me. They did acknowledge that the wheel was "loose" but the dodges just had loose steering. They also said they could tighten up the steering gear box. So I let them do that. But when I went to pick up the truck, the service manager told me that I might have to replace the gear box soon. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 60-70 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to shake violently and steering became uncontrollable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The dealer replaced an unknown part in the steering wheel but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
Ltr request status of 3/16/2004 ltr on behalf of jim osmundson (wa) re steering column defective on his 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 truck, ref es04-003096 /s/ brenner 4/21/2004. While driving the steering box failed which caused loss of power steering. No injuries or accident occured as a resul of this failure. The dealer replaced the steering box, track bar and tie rod ends. The consumer is seeking reimbursement for the steering box and track bar.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would veer to the left and right without any warnings. The failure occurred multiple times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The failure mileage was 62,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact was driving 50 MPH and was having difficulty maintaining the vehicle in a straight line. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.
Steering on this truck is loose.took it to dealer and service writer said they changed the steering on the new trucks and it will never drive like my 199dodge 4x4 did.I have side to side play in the pitman arm that comes from the lower bearing in the steering box.have talked to lots of other owners who have the same problem.I have had the truck to a front end shop and had the alignment checked and it meets factory specs.the truck likes to wander all over the road,steering feels dead in the middle and you can feel a funny bind in it when taking a curve on the interstate.it makes you over correct because you wonder if anything is connected to the sterring box or not.towing a trailer makes it even worse.it is a diesel so I think you should be able to tow with it at least that is why I bought it.thanks
Steering wanders always fighting todrive,the speed control never keeps an even speed transmision is always shifting and most times will not shift back to 4th gear after climbbing ahill,the transfer case makes a whining noise at any speed or gear all together this truck gets 5.5mpg hwy and has no power it is rated for 8,000 pounds trailering and I cant tow two snowmobiels reported to attny. Gen . Following up on lemmon law proceedings . Just wanted my findings noted so the general public is aware of these problems. Becouse Chrysler sais they are not...but funny how I found three other people w/same problems and have already had ther trucks bought back by Chrysler. In my area alone!makes ya think.... I hope.
Steering complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2000 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Dodge Ram 2500, 18% of the model year's 211 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2000 Dodge Ram 2500, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.