2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Linkages › Tie rod assembly
  7

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  510%
• 25k–50k
  1733%
• 50k–75k
  1122%
• 75k–100k
  1325%
• 100k–150k
  36%
• 150k+
  24%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 20-60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle, the steering column, and the steering wheel were shuddering significantly. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the failure increased significantly while driving on bumpy road surfaces. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, where the vehicle was diagnosed but the cause of the failure could not be determined; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the tires were replaced twice by two tire facilities; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was previously taken to an unknown dealer; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to stay in position. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess in order to keep the vehicle in position. In addition, a few months later while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel began to move independently in both directions and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a divider and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact and front passenger sustained minor cuts and bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 82,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 60 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle as it veered in both directions. As a result, the vehicle rolled over into a ditch and crashed into a pipe fence and a tree before coming to a complete stop. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor cuts and bruises, which required medical attention. Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene to a tow yard, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 (na) Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle independently veered to the left. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle. The contact sustained bruises on his leg, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

We noticed for the past month that our tires were wearing on the outside of both front tires. We took the truck to 3 different les schwab tire businesses (weiser, idaho, emmett, idaho and ontario, oregon) and all 3 businesses told us that there was nothing wrong with the tires. Driving at 25 MPH last month, (July 8, 2015), we encountered a steering problem. The truck was wanting to turn at it's leisure while pointing in a straight direction. The steering was sloppy, would not self center, would drift to the left and right and not correct. Approximately 15 minutes after this happened, we had a blow out on the passenger front. What was left of the tire and the driver's side was completely worn and "rough" looking. There was no way to change the tire as the wheel itself was "bowed" in. …

Uncontrollable steering or front end wobbling. Aka death wobble, according to my vehicle history there are recalls that are for steering and the description of all those recalls say what could happen which is a loss of steering control resulting in a crash. All the recalls that I know of have been replaced. But I still have incidents where I lose control of steering and in order for it to stop, I have to stop the vehicle. I have had many many close calls, and hoping that this doesn't result in a loss of a vehicle or even death. It's a very big concern to me considering there has been recalls for the steering and front end. It will occur as soon as I hit a bump just right not even at high speed it happens at 35-70 MPH no matter if it's flat ground or not. The entire truck shakes and feels like the wheels are bouncing off the ground. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering and vibrated. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000. Updated 09/18/15 the consumer stated when he hit a pot hole or dip in the road, the steering wheel would shake violently, along with the entire truck. The consumer stated he had no control over the vehicle. Updated 09/22/15...updated 10-27-15 the consumer stated he replaced the ball joints, shocks and steering dampener. It remedied the problem some, but he could still feel a light shimmy in the steering wheel which progressed for several months. The consumer wanted to participate in the buy back program. Updated 01/05/16. …

The vehical was being reapired at a dealer and it has been in 3 times to 3 diffent dealers to fix a check gauge light and they have not been able to reapir it. I also boguht in for the tie rod recall inspection and was told the vehical did not have a defective part. I dont belive them since they have not been a honest dealer. The truck is part of the main recall but I was told though Dodge that its not being covered because they fixed the truck which I dont believe happened. I dont feel safe driving the truck with all the issues with Dodge. I also just had the turbo replaced and now im getting desiel fumes coming into the truck. Dodge is not willing and will not work with me to get these issues resloved.

While driving the Dodge Ram 2500 2009 year on the highway at 60-65 MPH the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably after hitting a joint in the road between the asphalt and a bridge. I was unable to steer during this time and the vehicle shook so violently that the connectors vibrated off of the battery terminal, both batteries, at which time I lost all power. This almost resulted in my driving off of a bridge. The shaking would only stop upon coming to a complete stop. This happened 3 more times at slower speeds between 40-50 MPH. I eventually had to get a tow truck to get us to our destination. This happened on highway roads and always after hitting a small bumps. Mileage on vehicle is 89500.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated the while driving the vehicle at any speed, the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated the contacts vehicle was affected by NHTSA campaign number: 13V529000 (steering), NHTSA campaign number: 11V350000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 09V005000 (steering) and would need to be serviced. The vehicle was serviced for all outstanding recalls. However, the failure persisted. Every time the failure occurred, the vehicle was diagnosed and repaired at the dealer for a tie rod failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other Ram 2500 years