2016 Ram 3500 Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Linkages
  1
• Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  323%
• 25k–50k
  18%
• 50k–75k
  538%
• 75k–100k
  18%
• 100k–150k
  215%
• 150k+
  18%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns 2016 Ram 3500. The contact became aware that the front passenger's side tires had been wearing out prematurely. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop, and the contact was informed that an alignment could not be performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be referred to a specialist for assistance. The specialist called the contact and referred him to a dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact they could not perform an alignment because the steering linkage jam nut was previously welded to the adjuster sleeve under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering). The dealer determined that the drag link assembly needed to be replaced to perform the alignment of the vehicle. The dealer was awaiting manufacturer's authorization on the drag link assembly replacement. …

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering rack fractured, and the contact was no longer able to maneuver the vehicle. The contact strapped the steering wheel into place to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced; however, the cause of the failure was not known. The vehicle was not repaired. Another dealer was contacted and confirmed that the steering rack needed to be replaced and assisted the contact with finding the parts to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated after purchasing the vehicle, the local dealer informed him about NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer stated informed the contact that the nut would be welded and the vehicle would need an alignment. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not completely straight. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and who was unable to align the vehicle due to an issue with the drag link. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,190.

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected and informed of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V021000 (Steering) and 18E096000 (Steering). The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle was drifting to the left and the right. The contact had to drive at speeds lower than 15 MPH to prevent the drifting from occurring. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the recall repairs were previously completed and was a one-time free repair. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that upon inspection, the tires showed excessive wear. The contact stated that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (STEERING); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

The contact owns a 2016 RAM 3500. The contact stated that when he took his vehicle to be aligned, he was advised that the vehicle was not able to be aligned, due to a previous recall repair where the drag link was welded unless the drag link was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of this issue. The failure mileage was approximately 55,526.

Pursuant to a manufacturer-issued safety recall (V06) on a steering assembly component, the manufacturer's remedy permanently damaged an otherwise functioning, adjustable steering component and created a financial barrier to basic vehicle maintenance. The component, post remedy, now would have to be replaced in order to allow adjustment to put the vehicle steering system into correct alignment. Driving a vehicle without proper front end alignment can cause premature tire wear contributing to tire failure and/or pulling to the right or left contributing to a possible accident condition. The manufacturer is refusing to pay for the replacement parts/repairs that, but for the recall remedy, would be necessary.

death wobble incident in my Ram 3500. Incident occurred while pulling a 35' foot Living Quarters horse trailer weighing over 26,000 pounds on the interstate. Have major vibration, shaking, and thumping sound in truck which gets worse the faster I accelerate. Chrysler needs to issue a recall on this issue get it resolved. See that this has already been report to NHTSA. February 24, 2024 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11573822 Components: STEERING, SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that when taking the vehicle to the dealer for recall repair for a drag link failure, from a previous owner, the vehicle was misaligned and the vehicle was unable to be serviced and could not be properly aligned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable.

December 28, 2018 was approaching a roundabout traffic island when turning left and right the truck when out of control and bounced off curb and over center island one over concrete planting box under construction.blew passenger side tire and damaging wheel,front differential training arm, drag link jam nut completely losse and causing steering wheel to 90 degrees left.close to home usedfriens flat bed trailer to take home. Newer truck did not want to brand title with insurance claim. It took two months to save money as a repair approximately $2300. The mechanic said the drag link was completely loose. Got truck repaired. Approximately 30days later a recall for the drag link defect. I feel lucky for not being killed. Lucky I was going 25mph.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other 3500 years