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 2001 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On my way to work, as usual, on a "slightly" bumpy part of the highway my steering wheel and front end started vibrating so violently that I almost lost control. I could barely hold the steering wheel; and could not steer at all; all I could do was start braking and come to a stop. I got out and checked my tires and front end and everything appeared normal. I continued to work at about 40 MPH (I had gone to work early so no traffic) . At 8:00 I called my local mechanic and took it to him to check out what happened. He check everything and nothing showed. The next day it happened again; then again 2 days later. About 2 weeks later I took pickup in for regular oil/fuel/air filter change service. He test drove with me along and I explained further what happened. He said he has seen it before with Dodge 2500 & 3500 and it has been labeled the "Dodge death wobble". …
Vechile difficult to control while driving on highway after hitting a moderate sized bump. Trouble started at approximately 18,000 miles and was not somewhat resolved for nearly 10,000 miles. While traveling at highway speeds and striking a bump with the driver's side front wheel, the front of the vehicle would shake violently and start to leave the lane of travel. The shaking and shuttering of the front end gave a feeling like the left front tire was either bouncing down the road or wobbeling. This was reported several times to the dealer and a contol arm and steering arm was replaced at different attempts to correct the problem. During this time frame, I expierenced excessive wear on the tires. A front end alignment has seemed to reduce the problem, but it would seem that if this was the symptom of the need for alignment, then the service center would have know this.
The passenger side front end structural frame rusted completely through such that the welded on tie rod connection bracket fell away from the frame. Similar rust condition on driver's side but not at risk of same yielding. However, this frame failure of what appears to be two 1/4" plate c-formed members welded together should not corrode through like this after only 10 years. Vehicle operated in michigan winters a contributing factor, I'm sure. Even so, my wife was only going 20 MPH when the frame broke. Could have been worse. Dodge customer service response was basically "so what" as they simply pointed to the manufacturer's warranty expiring.
I was making a right hand turn in a parking lot, going about 5-10mph, while I was turning, the brake pedal started pulsating very hard - drove forward in the parking lot - made a left hand turn started going forward and went to step on brake pedal and it would not move - pedal was rock hard and would not stop truck. After finally coasting to a stop I put truck in reverse - backed up in vacant part of the parking lot so I could put truck in drive and then swing wide into a parking stall and coast to a stop - however when I went to swing the truck I had absolutely no steering at all -front wheels would not turn. Had to have towed.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram. The contact stated while driving at any speeds the vehicle drifted from side to side. The contact stated the vehicle became difficult to control. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the steering box but the steering box did not remedy the failure. The steering box was replaced five times. The dealer stated that the steering box was defective. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint but they have not provided any assistance. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 270,676.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tie rod on the front drivers side detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The contact expressed concern over a potential crash if the failure occurred while driving. The failure mileage was 84,000. Updated 08/31/11
The steering wheel was hard to turn while driving at a low speed. The vehicle wandered across the road. The vehicle has been to the dealer on three separate occasions. The dealer replaced the steering box on two separate occasions and made some other repairs, however the problem continued. The consumer stated the brakes would grab, however the mechanic informed the consumer that was the way ABS worked.
2001 Dodge Ram quad cab 4x4. Steering wanders excessively from left to right. Nearly impossible to maintain a constant track line on the road. Have had the vehicle into the dealer and they have replaced some tie rods but seems to have little effect on the wandering. I am afraid that this inability to control the vehicle May cause an accident. This vehicle only has 18,000 miles on it and has not been abused.
Steering is so bad, I'm afraid while driving my 2001 Dodge Ram 2w truck. While driving it feel like you are going to lose control and run into another car. It is a unsafe truck to drive, and I can not get the dealer I purchased from to do anything about it. They will not even speak with about the problems. I have left voice mail message for several managers and to date have not receive a call back.
The consumer was unable to steer the steering wheel in the right direction. This has almost caused several accidents. Another Ram owner indicated that they were having the same problem which was due to a faulty factory steering box gear, that was replaced. This truck is owned by montana dept,. Of fish wild life and park. The other truck in this fleet are having the same failure.
Steering complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Dodge Ram, 14% of the model year's 459 complaints. The component named most often is gear box (other than rack and pinion) (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Ram steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 Dodge Ram, though it has 9 recalls 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 2001 Dodge Ram steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 2 deaths 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.