Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 109 | 39% | 42,000 miles |
| 2011 | 210 | 70% | 39,000 miles |
| 2010 | 152 | 64% | 38,000 miles |
| 2009 | 155 | 72% | 60,000 miles |
| 2008 | 175 | 55% | 60,000 miles |
| 2007 | 199 | 55% | 67,000 miles |
| 2006 | 231 | 34% | 90,000 miles |
| 2005 | 153 | 36% | 96,000 miles |
| 2004 | 140 | 24% | 90,000 miles |
| 2003 | 159 | 24% | 87,000 miles |
| 2002 | 20 | 13% | 109,000 miles |
| 2001 | 69 | 15% | 50,000 miles |
| 2000 | 38 | 18% | 51,000 miles |
| 1999 | 36 | 12% | 53,000 miles |
| 1998 | 24 | 11% | 116,000 miles |
| 1997 | 10 | 5% | — |
| 1996 | 20 | 7% | 203,000 miles |
| 1995 | 14 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and started to shake violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the reinforcement bracket over the front track bar bracket had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after making the third right turn while driving approximately 3 -5 MPH, the steering linkage fractured and the vehicle loss steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the drag link and the steering system needed to be replaced. The drag link was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Yesterday, 3/22/2024, I was driving northbound on I-15, fat left lane, approx. 80 mph/posted highway speed. Suddenly lost steering control on my 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins diesel truck. Front end/tires began vibrating, all steering control lost, truck veered to the right across 3 lanes of traffic and off into the dirt/sage brush to the right of the highway. It almost rolled over, but I was able to slow it to a stop. My dogs & I could have been killed. I turned the truck off for a few minutes, then re-started the ignition. Was mid-trip with no other transportation option, so I drove the rest of the way at much slower speeds, was able to get the truck to our home. I am still shaken from what could have happened to me and our family. I have dash cam video of this incident.
The steering became uncontrollable and wobbled so violently I could not keep my hands on the wheel. It will be open for inspection at any time. The safety of all other road users and pedestrians were put in grave danger. Due to the complete loss of steering control. This has happened to other ram owners I have talked with as well. The problem was addressed by my local mechanic. He recommended replacing the entire front end steering and suspension components I agreed he did the work, he did the work. I also replaced all four tires with new and had them balanced. Within 2 weeks this death wobble happened. There are no warning lamps for this problem.
This is the 3rd time this happened to me. The first time I was driving around 55 and the truck started to shake so bad I could not actually hold onto the steering wheel, and I made it to the side of the road. I thought was a flat tire and I pulled over to find nothing wrong. The second was bad as it shook so violently, I was unable to make it to the side of the road, so I hit the brakes in the middle of traffic to stop. This 3rd time I happen to be traveling 65 mph on the interstate in PA and hit a small bump and all of the sudden the truck felt like it was bouncing off of the road. I hit the brakes to slow down and drove to the side and into a field. I purchased tie rods and actually the entire front suspension. This was the worst shaking I have ever felt in 45 years of driving. This is going to get me killed when this happens on the road. Please help. [redacted]
The second day I owned my 2010 power wagon I experienced the death wobble. It only had 16,000 miles on it. Took it back to the dealership replaced steering dampener and tires. This worked for only a few months. That was 2011 when it started. It is now April 2015 have been having the same issue every few months. I have rebuilt the entire front end helped for a little while but it soon came back. I have put 4 sets of tires on it also in this time period. I installed an aftermarket dual steering stabilizer same result. My truck only has 63,400 miles on it now. Two days ago running down the toll road hit an expansion joint at 70 miles per hour and started the death wobble cars scattered all around me as truck shakes violently until you can slowly slow your speed down to about 30 miles per hour praying that nobody slams into you. This happened twice in a matter of about five miles. …
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.
Related recalls (4)
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from February 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from February 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011; and model year 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from February…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler is recalling 32,782 my 2008-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 cab chassis pickup trucks equipped with powers and sons steering linkage. The steering linkage drag link inner tie rod to pitman arm ball stud May fracture. Also the steering linkage damper attaching the bracket May yield and shift on the linkage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering linkage drag link inner tie rod end assembly, and inspect the steering linkage damper bracket free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before February 16, 2009.
NHTSA investigations
Steering column separation
Mr. Larry a. Sackey submitted a petition to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) by letter dated April 18, 2003, requesting that nhtsafurther investigate the defective collapsible steering shaft system on 1987-1995 vehicles manufactured by the daimlerchrysler corporation.in part because of 49 cfr ? 30120(g), NHTSA has decided to limit the scope of the petition vehicles to 1993-1995 models,…
Oversensitive steering
ODI has received 14 consumer complaints concerning steering control concerns.Complainants typically alleged that the steering is loose, oversensitive, or has excessive play.They further alleged that this phenomena contributes to the vehicle wondering back and forth and being difficult to maintain in its lane.The majority of the complaints are on vehicles which are equipped with the V-10 or diesel engine.A…
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13V-528 and 13V-529, both of which involved…
Outer Tie Rod Failure
ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allow contact between the bull stud and the ball housing which could weaken the stud and result in fracture.Chrysler…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram 2500 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (231), 2011 (210), 2007 (199), 2008 (175) and 2003 (159) model years. Steering complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 13V-528 (tie rod assembly, Nov 6, 2013); 13V-529 (tie rod assembly, Nov 6, 2013); 11V-350 (tie rod assembly, Jul 6, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (81 mentions), followed by the gear box (other than rack and pinion) (43).
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.