Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 222 | 61% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 164 | 73% | 42,000 miles |
| 2010 | 92 | 61% | 53,000 miles |
| 2009 | 69 | 66% | 48,000 miles |
| 2008 | 94 | 54% | 65,000 miles |
| 2007 | 88 | 42% | 93,000 miles |
| 2006 | 75 | 29% | 97,000 miles |
| 2005 | 61 | 31% | 104,000 miles |
| 2004 | 41 | 19% | 101,000 miles |
| 2003 | 37 | 13% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 18% | 130,000 miles |
| 2001 | 17 | 13% | 49,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 9% | 137,000 miles |
| 1999 | 11 | 11% | 149,000 miles |
| 1998 | 8 | 8% | 300,000 miles |
| 1997 | 10 | 8% | 198,000 miles |
| 1996 | 10 | 8% | 98,000 miles |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% | 65,000 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 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel was loose. The contact pulled over and discovered that the steering shaft had detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who repaired the steering shaft. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
While driving, the vehicle will, if going over a bump, begin shaking uncontrollably, and render the driver helpless to remain in control of steering other than to slam on the brakes and hope another vehicle does not hit them. Vehicle ceases shaking when brought down to a slow rate of speed and then drives as normal. I have replaced multiple parts and cannot locate the problem. Happens frequently.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Steering wheel locked while vehicle was being driven at approximately 60mph. All other systems functioned normally. With about 2' of play in locked steering wheel vehicle made it to road shoulder. Restarted vehicle 3 times but steering wheel remained locked. Put car in "D" and "R" successfully and vehicle would move normally but steering wheel remained locked. All other electrical and mechanical systems function normally. No warning lights on dash were displayed. Called LIthia Dodge in Bryan/College Station(where vehicle was eventually towed). They suggested disconnect battery for 15" and system might reset. It did not. I disconnected Battery a 2nd time for about a minute. Steering still locked. Vehicle towed to Lithia where they willmlook at it Tuesday September 7, 2021. This had never happened before.
Fobik key ignition vibrates causing switching from (RUN) position to (ACC) position, shutting off the engine and making it almost impossible to steer a 3000kg machine without power steering increasing the risk for accidents.
I filed a claim with FCA regarding the ability to surrender my vehicle under the consent order reached with FCA in July 2015 . I submitted my claim with them on 10/1/2015. I been given nothing but a run around. I notified FCA on 9/04/2015 regarding my desire to be apart of the recall process. I have submitted all documents requested. I called on 10/27/2015 and was told that the FCA had major problems with the recall process and that there was no current solution. My last contact was on 11/2/2015 when I was asked for a current pay off which I responded on 11/3/2015. I just received last week the recall notice for the fuel heater issue, but nothing on the steering recall. A Dodge dealer that I was to work with in huntington beach ca. …
Two issues: 1: knocking sound when turning at parking lot speeds. I've replaced bushings, linkages, ball joints, and nothing helped. I replaced wheel hub assemblies and the knocking is reduced, but not fixed. Shop owners that drive the same truck say they've spent thousands of dollars on their own vehicles and can't pinpoint the front end noises either. 2:vibration under the vehicle, from the transfer case, through the drive shaft, to the rear differential. Diesel shop says it's a common issue for the seals to get worn out due to imbalanced drive shaft. However, the drive shaft didn't lose any weights and was fine for the fist 90,000 miles. This is a very common issue with Dodge adam 2500 and 3500, according to the shop. At first I thought it was the tires, so I had them replaced and kept going to different shops, thinking that some May be better at balancing than others. …
My 2011 mega cab 3500 was purchased in nov of 2018 with only approx. 110K miles on odometer. After a short while of driving, a vibration started getting worse up until I took to a dealer at approx. 114K for a check on toe & alignment. It ended up being a total repair of upper & lower u-joints & ball joints. Also had to replace driver's mirror-had short, wiring harness on passenger headlight-had short, transmission shifter seal leaked, new pinion gear & seal, & few other items also. It seems like a diesel that has just started breaking in was falling apart on me before it's time. Needless to say, about 4 months or so after I made the purchase, I had to fork out a !!heap!! Of $$$$$ for repairs that I couldn't recover. Funny thing is, before I bought the truck, another gentleman told me these years of Dodge trucks he had heard they were having a lot of front end trouble. …
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,…
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 3500 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (222), 2011 (164), 2008 (94), 2010 (92) and 2007 (88) model years. Steering complaints make up 61% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 3500 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 3500 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (56 mentions), followed by the gear box (other than rack and pinion) (12).
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.