Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle became uncontrollable and was difficult to maneuver while driving on the road. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the contact was informed that the part was to repair the vehicle was on back order. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a ditch caused by a failure with the drag link. The contact stated that the shift interlock was fractured, causing the gear shifter to detach while the vehicle was driven. The vehicle became stuck in park(P). The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and was repaired with an aftermarket part. The contact stated that the dealer had not repaired the vehicle causing the failure. The customer care department was contacted but was unable to assist with the dealer. The contact was concerned that the aftermarket part might not meet the OE standards. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 65-68 MPH over a bumpy road surface, the steering wheel and the front end of the vehicle shuddered significantly. The contact decelerated, exited the freeway, and pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the death wobble. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the upper ball joints and control arms needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the upper control arms. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the upper ball joints were replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V541000 (Steering); the contact stated that after the repair while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the track bar was recently replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to maneuver the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of holes in the steering bracket. The contact called the dealer and attempted to purchase the brackets however, the contact was unsuccessful in retrieving the repair parts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.
Took truck to Mac Haik here in Houston to perform the recall.The jam nut on drag link was welded,which was not a fix.Went back after being told truck can't be aligned with the drag link being welded.Was told I'd have to pay out of pocket for the weld to be cut,which sense have led to other issues with the front suspension. Attached is docs concerning this matter .....I been having a open claim with Dodge Chrysler and Jeep for over 2 years.Is there any remedy for such a problem?
Truck was repaired June 2019. They welded the jam nut which made it impossible to get an alaignment.Been having a open claim with Chrysler Jeep and Dodge going on 2 years per claim #78469040 Front Suspension Track Bar Frame Bracket ( vehicle recently started to do the death wobble again)
On June 1, 2013, I was driving the Dodge Ram 3500 at highway speed (approx. 60 MPH) when the steering completely locked up and 4-way emergency flashers failed. I drifted to the side of the highway and came to a stop. I immediately called roadside assistance. My phone log shows this call started at 8:40 am and lasted 9 minutes. During the call, washington department of transportation incident response stopped at the scene and neither of us realized the extent of the problem and wa dot left the scene. Near the end of the call, I noticed smoke pouring from under the hood and exited the vehicle. At that time, I noticed burning material on the ground under the truck's engine. I hung up with roadside assistance and called 911 at 8:49 am. At that time, at least 4 law enforcement, 2 fire engines, and wa dot arrived on scene and shut down the entire state highway due to the size of the fire. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 9v021000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 15V541000 (steering) completed at local dealer star Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram located at 5101 s 1st st, abilene, tx 79605, [phone]. The contact stated after the repairs were completed while his wife was driving she experienced the death wobble and skimmed the cement wall of a bridge. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated no one was injured or seeked any medical attention. No air bags deployed. The contact stated he had also experienced the failure while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and were made aware of the failure. The contact stated he had all 4 tires changed but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but was unable to speak to anyone. …
Our truck has started shaking violently, seemingly randomly, at freeway speeds (has only occurred at 50+MPH). The steering wheel and the whole truck begins violently shake and becomes nearly uncontrollable while driving at freeway speeds- it happens instantaneously and without warning! You have to slow down to less than 20mph, or completely stop and then restart and it goes away. The last time is occurred, March 17 2018, I was driving and nearly lost control of the truck when is started shaking, I was lucky that traffic was light and no one was in the lane to my left so I was able to pull over safely without hitting someone. It also does not happen every time you drive it, so as of right now, it is very random, but it has happened at least 5 times in the last 2 months, and we only drive our truck 1 or 2 days a week. …
The vehicle was taken in for a front end alignment. When the technician loosened the tube retaining clamp to adjust the outer tie rod, one side of the threaded portion of the adjuster tube, socket, tie rod end (68369910ac) fell on the ground. The metal wall sheared at the start of the adjustment threads and showed signs of metal fatigue. The opposite side was fully cracked in the same location but had not sheared off the adjuster tube, socket, tie rod end yet. It took very little effort to break the piece off by hand. Failure would have been imminent if left untouched. Failure while the vehicle was in operation would have resulted in loss of control of the vehicle. The vehicle was stationary at an alignment shop. The adjuster tube, socket, tie rod end is identified as part (1) in the attached drawing. …
1st time our truck shook so bad we had to get off the highway, 2nd time truck wouldn't go into drive. 3rd time truck said it was in gear when it was in park. 4th time perform service light. Actuator. 5th time perform service light. And now this. We have owned this truck for 10 months and it has been in the shop multiple times for multiple weeks. The last time being for a 9 nine days. They have now sent it home saying they can't fix it because the recall parts are not available. The perform service light is still on and I was told when the check engine light comes on again which they said it would that I can bring it back and they'll turn it off again for me. We have filed a complaint with Dodge and they opened a case then sent us a message that they closed our case because our truck had been fixed. We are at a loss as to what to do now.
Related recalls
Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019.
Steering
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ram 2500 trucks and 2013-2014 Ram 3500 trucks and cab chassis manufactured October 9, 2012, to July 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have inadequate welds securing the front track bar frame brackets, which may result in the bracket components separating from the…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket over the front track bar bracket. This recall began on February 24, 2016.
NHTSA investigations
Steering loss due to linkage separation
On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 18-016 to investigate the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA). Four complaints were received alleging separation of the drag link, a steering linkage that connects between the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft.
Steering complaints in other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2013 Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Ram 3500, 33% of the model year's 115 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Ram 3500 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-021 (connection, Jan 25, 2019); NHTSA recall 15V-541 (steering, Aug 26, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ram 3500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries 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.