Dodge 2500 1998 - Steering - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Dodge 2500 1998

Recalls
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Type	# of units affected	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
08E027000	AFFINIA GROUP, INC.	E (Equipment)	5700	MFR	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	03/28/2008	04/02/2008
Defect Summary	Affinia is recalling 5,700 aftermarket chassis tie rod assemblies manufactured from march 28, 2006 through march 17, 2008, sold for use on my 1998 and 1999 dodge ram 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks. the dust seal supplied with the chassis tie rods were manufactured to the wrong specification. as a consequence, the dust seal may prevent the ball stud of the chassis tie rod from properly seating into the taper of the vehicle steering knuckle during aftermarket installation.
Consequence Summary	If this condition remains undetected, the bolt can eventually unseat completely, causing the affected wheel to disengage from the steering mechanism, possibly resulting in a crash.
Corrective Summary	Affinia will notify owners and replace the affected chassis tie rod assemblies free of charge. the recall is expected to begin during april 2008. owners may contact affinia at 734-827-5400.
Notes	This recall only pertains to aftermarket brake parts chassis tie rods and has no relation to any original equipment installed on dodge ram trucks manufactured by chrysler, llc.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
STEERING
04/01/1998	5000	1
	Defective steering components leading to difficulty in control. problem began soon after purchase and continue to date. *jb
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
01/29/1999
	Sway bar bolts that hold sway bar fell out, and almost caused an accident. went to dealer and got it fixed. but then all four bolts that hold the sway bar fell out again, causing an accident. also, worn gear in the steering box caused a loss of steering. dealer cannot determine the problem. problem still exists. ak ml
01/30/1998		1	01/23/1998
	Steering gear box mounting bolts were stripped during assembly causing the unit to be very loose on the frame, which could have fallen off and caused loss of steering.
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
			03/23/1998
	There is a loss of power steering when applying brakes at speeds lower than 20 mph which could cause loss of vehicle control. dealer claims this is normal feature, and no solution is available. *ak
STEERING - LINKAGES
11/01/2000		1	06/01/1998
	Both tie rods replaced, front end was loose and made a loud noise, upper and intermediate steering column was replaced. *slc
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
09/14/2003	60000	1
	Vehicle was parked. consumer saw front tires pointing different ways. the front tie rod snapped. causing vehicle to become inoperative. *ak
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
11/01/2000		1	06/01/1998
	Both tie rods replaced, front end was loose and made a loud noise, upper and intermediate steering column was replaced. *slc
			01/01/1998
	Steering column has a clunking noise and can be felt through the steering wheel. headlights will go off when high beam is applied then turned off. *ak
04/28/2000		1
	Consumer stated that while driving and making a turn steering wheel locked up. dealer replaced steering gear box with a newer model. ak ml
09/14/1999
	Was leaving shopping center when driver blacked out. vehicle hit light pole off center. neither air bag deployed. the steering wheel had disconnected & fell off. vehicle was taken to dealer to have it checked. the driver suffered trauma to torso. *ak.