Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Consumer 's brother was driving truck when approaching a road block with no warning, he lost control of truck, ran into back of a dump truck. Consumer's truck exploded and driver burned to death. There is an open investigation (ea-96-018). Consumer says state is partially responsible due to fact that the road block set up did not meet requirements as it was. Consumer was very upset at this time, and was not able to give further information. Consumer did not give phone number, but asked that she also receive a complaint form, form was mailed.
While traveling at 24 to 30 MPH consumer tried to turn and steering wheel was locked. Consumer tried to brake there were no brakes. Vehicle hit a pole, and airbags didn't deploy. When consumer contacted dealer for a recall letter received. Dealer had no parts available. Consumer felt this accident was caused because recall problem was not corrected. While waiting for recall parts to arrive at dealer for steering wheel and column the steering wheel locked up causing accident.
While driving 60 MPH drag link broke, causing loss of steering. This caused driver to slam into a guardrail body work damage has already been repaired. There was still a problem with steering. Please provide any further information.
I'm having problems with excessive steering play and wander, which causes a need for constant steering corrections to avoid wandering into other traffic lanes when driving at highway speeds. The problem worsens when either passing or being passed by large trucks, buses, or rv's and causes a tendency to wander or drift towards the lane of the other vehicle. These situations are further worsened and cause dangerous driving conditions when towing a trailer. This can cause unsafe situations of steering over- correction due to the excessive play and wander in the steering system. The excessive steering play and steering wander causes driver fatigue due to the constant need for steering correction when driving for extended periods of time and can lead to dangerous driving conditions like mentioned earlier when being passed by large trucks or rv's. …
Wheel hub spindle on both front wheels will strip all threads off if you remove them to get to the front u-joints. I spoke with mechanics at local Dodge dealer and they said this happens all the time. Their parts dept. Keep this part in stock at all times due to high demand. When asked if Dodge has advised them how to correct this continuing problem they stated "no". The problem is, if you start to loosen the nut that holds the hub in place it will just sit there and go round and round stripping the threads. My mechanic was told , when he inquired about this that this ia common among the 1994 and 1995 models. The cost to replace is between 100.00 and 170.00 per side,just because I believe the threads are to soft on the hubs and they strip upon loosening. …
When purchased used truck in 12/97 noticed that the steering was very loose. Mentioned to used dealer and said that all trucks have loose steering. Not content with that answer took to Chrysler/Dodge shop to have it checked out. The shop replaced the tie rods, shocks, and trac bar on the front suspension. Told me that the steering gear box was worn. Told them not to replace that becasue I wanted to investigate for more info. After work was completed, still a lot of steering play. Not satisfied. Need to replace the steering gear box, but I need to know if this is going to be covered by Dodge or not. Local Dodge shop says they will not cover it.
Received notice (96V230000), steering column shaft; vehicle involved in an accident. Owner refused have repairs done. Insurance company totaled vehicle. A body shop brought, repaired & sold vehicle. New owner received recall notices & took vehicle to dealer. Each time, mechanic called zone representative & was informed will not repair vehicle under recall. Manufacturer also agreed w/zone representative.
96V230000, steeering column; the recall notice was received, and dealer where the vehicle was purchased refuses to do the work. Another states that it will be two months before they can look at the vehicle to do the work. Consumer requested the parts to do the work himselff because he utilizes the vehicle every day, and his request was refused.
While driving the consumer felt the underneath side of the steering column getting very hotagainst knee, consumer noticed a melted spot on the plastic which covers the steering column, the consumer feels this should fall under recall 00v-135, however the dealer has denied his claim.
While driving vehicle about 40 MPH consumer lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle did not have steering wheel control, and vehicle kept going straight, forcing consumer to step on the brakes. At last vehicle had to be towed. Dealer was contacted.
Related recalls
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
If the plastic pins and metal clip that retain the lower steering shaft in the upper shaft break, the lower steering shaft can separate from the upper shaft.
Remedy: Dealers will add a restraining sleeve to the intermediate steering shaft to limit the amount of axial steering column shaft moving in the event the plastic pins and metal clip are broken.
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
While making a turn, the extra keys on a vehicle operator's key ring can become temporarily lodged in the screw access holes in the back cover of the steering wheel.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering wheel back cover with a redesigned cover.
NHTSA investigations
Steering wheel and column
There is no summary currently available
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,…
Steering column fire
Alleges that the poor design of the ignition switch assembly and//or the key cylinder assembly in the model year 1991-2000 vehicles May cause the steering column to catch fire
Steering complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1995 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the steering of the 1995 Dodge Ram, 8% of the model year's 619 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Ram steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-230 (steering wheel/handle bar, Nov 18, 1996); NHTSA recall 95V-088 (steering wheel/handle bar, May 12, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death 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.