Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 1900800 | 10/27/2000 | 618869 | Subject regarding a high pitched whistle sound heard while driving, inspect the position of the tie rod adjusting sleeve slot. *tt | 05/03/2001 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 09/16/2011 | 201000 | ||
| 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 wheei; 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. i thank god i was not in a busy traffic area. | |||
| 05/17/2011 | 270676 | ||
| Tl*the 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. | |||
| 05/17/2011 | 270676 | ||
| Tl. the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram. the contact stated while driving at any speeds the vehicle drifts from side to side. the contact stated the vehicle is not easy to control. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer replaced the steering box but the steering box did not remedy the problem. the contact has had the steering box replaced five times. the dealer stated the steering box is bad and the manufacturer will not behind the steering box. the contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint but has not provided any assistance. the contact stated this vehicle is unsafe to drive. the failure mileage was 270,676. jo | |||
| 07/18/2005 | 47520 | ||
| Dt the return hose to the power steering got against the power steering pulley and rubbed a whole in the return hose and it was leaking fluid. which made it have no power steering. have contacted the dealer they ordered two hoses that were the wrong ones. this happened july 18, 2005. | |||
| 01/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| While attempting to park the trailer, the steering box destroyed the o-ring gasket which caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle. *nm *sc *jb | |||
| 10/25/2001 | 7380 | 3 | 02/09/2001 |
| 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. *jb the consumer stated the brakes would grab, however the mechanic informed the consumer that was the way abs worked. *jb | |||
| 04/02/2001 | 40 | 100 | |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 04/13/2004 | 51296 | 3 | 10/19/2000 |
| While driving, the vehicle wandered. *ak other issues related to the steering problem was the track bar, power steering/gear assembly, and the clock spring. *sc *jb | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 49000 | ||
| Ball joints worn out at 49,000 miles 3 mechanics say this is typical of these dodge trucks. if this a recuring problem, shouldn't dodge be doing somthing on this | |||
| 4000 | 3 | 10/13/2000 | |
| While driving 50-60 mph, the consumer noticed the steering had excessive play. the truck began to sway across the road. the truck was serviced, and the steering gear box/tie rod and tracking bar were replaced. *ak the mechanic found the power steering gear box sloppy, the tie rod end/pitman arm loose and the trac bar worn. *scc *jb | |||
| 2 | 07/29/2001 | ||
| The steering wheel locked up when the consumer attempted to turn the steering wheel. the dealer stated there was nothing they could do. mr scc *nlm | |||
| 03/04/2003 | 1 | ||
| The steering wandered to the left uncontrollably.*jb | |||
| The steering has lots of play preventing the owner from keeping straight directional control. consumer was told that the steering track bar, needs to be replaced due to the loss of steering. please describe details. ts | |||
| 08/30/2002 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states that while driving at 55 mph the consumer lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road causing damage to the front and rear of the vehicle and also bent the frame. contacted dealer and the dealer has taken a look at the vehicle but yet they are not willing to do anything. nlm | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 3 | ||
| The steering wheel has a constant tension to the left and causes strain to the drivers arm. *yh *cb | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer states that the steering has slack or play in it. *slc | |||
| 12/20/2001 | 2 | ||
| Vehicle steers too quickly. unable to control steering wheel.*ak vehicle was repaired per technical service bulletin and is still not operating normally. *jg | |||
| 02/28/2001 | 3 | 10/03/2000 | |
| Steering wheel locked up at 60 mph. consumer was not able to make a right turn. dealer has determined that steering had to be replaced. *ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 06/28/2001 | 10630 | 4 | 10/01/2000 |
| Steering column problems have been reported 5 times, repaired 4 times in which the clock spring (safety recall 982) was replaced 2 times. left outer mirror vibrates at highway speeds impairing visibility when merging with traffic. truck is not safe for highway use. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis***764311 | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 03/03/2003 | 1 | ||
| The steering wheel turned halfway around while driving, upon inspection, consumer noticed the 2 bolts on the steering box were loose and 1 bolt had completely broken.*jb | |||
| 01/31/2003 | 50000 | ||
| While driving, consumer turned the steering wheel but tires did not turn. thus, resulting in a accident. dealer notified. please provide additional information. ph | |||
| 02/15/2002 | |||
| Vehicle is difficult to steer, wanders all over the road. dealer replaced steering box 3 times, did not remedy the problem.*ak | |||
| 04/21/2001 | 3 | ||
| While driving on highway vehicle sways back and forth and hard to steer. dealer contacted. *ak the dealer replaced steering box and did an alignment three times, but the problem was not corrected. *yh | |||
| 12/10/2001 | 1 | ||
| Consumer heard a rattling noise under front of vehicle, while inspecting vehicle he noticed the lower control arm was rubbing on the driver side tire when turning steering wheel sharp to the left, dealer grinded off part of control arm, but it was still rubbing on the tire, dealer stated there was no remedy.*ak consumer also stated that the gear box was serviced. *yh | |||
| Vehicle fishtails at 60mph, re-alignment, problem still exists, steering is difficult and dangerous, replaced gear box, now the steering wheel locks. | |||
| 1 | |||
| The power steering box and power steering hose failed and a bad connection in the steering wheel caused the airbag and cruise control to fail. nlm | |||
| 05/26/2001 | 1 | 09/01/2000 | |
| Steering gear box defective/unsafe..seat belt retractor defective unsafe...evaporative canister defective per federal emmissions laws. *ak | |||
| 01/01/2000 | 2 | 01/01/2000 | |
| Unable to control the vehicle due to excessive play/wandering in steering.*ak | |||
| 06/01/2000 | 1 | ||
| There is about 3 to 4 inches of movement in steering gear box, making streeing box loose, and it wonders on road.*ak | |||
| 2 | |||
| While vehicle was being driven it would not go straight, but continously pulled to either right or left which has resulted in a collision. dealer replaced steering box three times, and track bar, and steering pump, which did not corrected problem. *ak dealer replaced steering box 2 times, power steering was lost when brakes were applied. *slc | |||
| 06/20/2000 | 2 | 05/01/2000 | |
| I have a continual problem with the steering on my new truck. it wanders going down the road at hiway speeds. you have to continue to recompensate for the drift in the steering. it is unsafe and according to other owners of the same model dodge truck, they are also having problems with their steering. there are alot of posts on the turbo diesel register website on the web of others with the same problems. all dodge will do is change the steering box and it does not help. we need some help getting dodge to correct this problem. the dealer can only do what dodge says to do, and we owners of these new thirty thousand dollar trucks are suffering with a poor driving vehicle that is unsafe to drive . please try to help us as dodge is not coming thru. | |||
| 07/01/2000 | 2 | 03/01/2000 | |
| Steering wander is a problem that many of the dodge diesel owners are experiencing, i am reporting this issue in hopes that with numbers we can get some help getting chrysler to step up to the plate to repair a known problem with a know fix | |||
| 06/20/2000 | 2 | 05/01/2000 | |
| I have a continual problem with the steering on my new truck. it wanders going down the road at hiway speeds. you have to continue to recompensate for the drift in the steering. it is unsafe and according to other owners of the same model dodge truck, they are also having problems with their steering. there are alot of posts on the turbo diesel register website on the web of others with the same problems. all dodge will do is change the steering box and it does not help. we need some help getting dodge to correct this problem. the dealer can only do what dodge says to do, and we owners of these new thirty thousand dollar trucks are suffering with a poor driving vehicle that is unsafe to drive . please try to help us as dodge is not coming thru. | |||
| 07/01/2000 | 2 | 03/01/2000 | |
| Steering wander is a problem that many of the dodge diesel owners are experiencing, i am reporting this issue in hopes that with numbers we can get some help getting chrysler to step up to the plate to repair a known problem with a know fix | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||
| 1 | |||
| The power steering box and power steering hose failed and a bad connection in the steering wheel caused the airbag and cruise control to fail. nlm | |||
| 04/26/2000 | 1 | 03/31/2000 | |
| Power steering line blewout, and there was no steering. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID | |||
| 1 | |||
| The vehicle experienced a power steering fluid leak.*ak *jb | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 2 | |||
| While vehicle was being driven it would not go straight, but continously pulled to either right or left which has resulted in a collision. dealer replaced steering box three times, and track bar, and steering pump, which did not corrected problem. *ak dealer replaced steering box 2 times, power steering was lost when brakes were applied. *slc | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 01/19/2001 | 1 | 06/09/2000 | |
| Consumer states that the power steering stopped working completely. *tt | |||
| 1 | 03/04/2000 | ||
| Power steering failed to operate intermittently making the vehicle hard to steer, contacted dealer, and dealer indicated it was normal for power steering not to operate at all times.*ak *nlm | |||
| 04/27/2001 | 1 | 12/01/2000 | |
| Two times while backing out of my garage my power steering and brakes went out. the first time resulted in a power steering fluid leakage. after ten minutes the truck was able to be driven to the dealer where the power steering pump was replaced. the second time i was also backing out of my garage and lost both the power steering and power brakes. this time the manufacturer had to have the truck hauled to the dealer. the power steering pump was replaced. dealer told me that the brakes and steering are run off the same gearing on the front of the engine. this truck seems to require constant correction to the steering to minimize wander.*ak | |||
| 2 | 06/30/2001 | ||
| When starting vehicle in cold weather it loses all power steering causing the hydroboost system and power brake system to disengage, dealer has been contacted. *ak *tt | |||
| 1 | |||
| When starting vehicle in cold weather and when depressing brakes consumer would have to apply force to pedal to stop vehicle. *ak the power assist system does not work and power brakes and power steering fails as the result. the dealer and the manufacturer were unable to determine the cause. *yh | |||
| 07/10/2001 | 2 | 07/01/2000 | |
| Total loss of steering and braking. am in process of replacing power steering pump/brake vacuum pump (one unit) for the second time. at time of loss of steering and braking control was driving downhill with a full size camper on ice. slid sideways and stopped in snowbank. am afraid to drive vehicle after second incident. know several drivers who have experienced same problem with 2001 dodge rams. | |||
| 02/01/2001 | 2 | 09/01/2000 | |
| Steering wander/drifting causes an unsafe condition while driving. local dealer has temporarily fixed problem but the problem returned soon after the repair had been made. there is obviously a major problem with the steering and components with vehicles with diesel engines. when the steering components loosen up it causes a very dangerous driving condition requiring excessive steering wheel correction.*ak | |||
| 08/01/2000 | |||
| The steering on this truck is horrible. it wonders terribly from left to right at any speed. the driver has to constantly correct steering in order to make the vehicle travel in a straight line. this becomes very tiring on trips and presents a hazard during inclimate weather.*ak | |||
| 11/03/2001 | 4 | 07/01/2001 | |
| While traveling at highway speed, at anytime the steering would become inoperable. on the first 3 incedents a hard jerk of the steering wheel would break it free from its extremely tight condition. the truck would once again return to normal as if there was never a problem. after the first incedent i gave the truck's steering system a thorough check. nothing seemed wrong or out of place.i tried to contact my local dodge dealer however the service department was not open on saturdays. since the truck now seemed fine i attempted to go to my house in it. i drove 40-50 miles toward my home without a problem. within 6 miles of home it occured again, just as it did the first time once again a hard jerk freed the wheel. another check of the steering system revealed nothing, everything appeared to be fine. 1.5 miles later it happened again, i repeated the same process again. at this time i decided to slow down my speeds to 35-40mph to help avoid danger just to make it home and monday i would contact the local dodge dealer and have it towed back to town. however, upon approaching the next bend in the road i was unable to negotiate the curve resulting in a collision with a cluster of trees. i suffered only minor injuries common in that type of accident. since then i contacted chrysler making a formal complaint, resulting in a independent investigator looking at my truck. i stress looking at it because that is all he did besides taking pictures of it. he never removed any component. i receive a letter from chrysler stateing that after a thorough investigation they concluded there was no manufactering flaw of any kind. my insurance company is doing next to nothing to help me in this matter. as of today (12-6-01) the truck is still in its wrecked condition at a local body shop. the truck should be totalled but the insurance adjuster wants to fix it despite a $22,000 estimate from a chrysler collision center. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| Please contact randy vance (surviving son) at listed address. concern if existing recalls or other manufacturer's defects were contributing factors to the fatal auto accident. truck failed to slow and negotiate a left hand turn. truck went down an embankment. both driver and passenger suffered fatal injuries.*ak | |||
| 05/17/2001 | 1 | 09/01/2000 | |
| No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||
| 12/12/2001 | 1 | 03/01/2000 | |
| Track bar, premature excessive slack in steering, hard to keep in own lane especially on uneven paved surfaces( steering wandering). rear axle u-bolts, loose on inspection causing shaking from the rear axle during acceleration and deceleration, bolts were retorked & problem reaccured after 20 miles, the bolts were loose again. | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 06/24/2001 | 1 | 03/01/2001 | |
| Consumer heard a loud noise coming from back tires of pickup while towing a trailer. *ak dealer stated there was a problem with the pinion gear where the differential is. consumer states keys would get stuck in recessed screw holes on steering wheel, and while attempting a turn the vehicle would be stuck almost causing consumer to have an accident. *slc | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 11/22/2002 | |||
| While traveling on the highway the key to the vehicle got caught inside of the steering column. almost causing a accident please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. ts | |||
| While driving 55-60 mph steering wheel becomes very stiff and very hard to manage when trying to make turns.*ak | |||
| 10/01/2001 | |||
| Dealer replaced right side ball joint. however, steering wheel is locking up when turning left or right. please provide any furhter information. *ak | |||
| 06/13/2001 | 8 | 06/01/2001 | |
| Truck has been in for service 8 times parts replaced and problem still remains. truck has also been altered from original specs . i feel vehicle is unsafe. *ak | |||
| 06/24/2001 | 1 | 03/01/2001 | |
| Consumer heard a loud noise coming from back tires of pickup while towing a trailer. *ak dealer stated there was a problem with the pinion gear where the differential is. consumer states keys would get stuck in recessed screw holes on steering wheel, and while attempting a turn the vehicle would be stuck almost causing consumer to have an accident. *slc | |||
| 1 | |||
| The power steering box and power steering hose failed and a bad connection in the steering wheel caused the airbag and cruise control to fail. nlm | |||
| 3 | 11/01/2000 | ||
| Steering wheel has gotten stuck 3 times since it was bought. *ak | |||
| 12/24/2000 | 1 | 10/01/2000 | |
| On a 30 mph frontal center crash air bags did not deploy causing bodly injury,chrysler investigation #8126432 the fond open squib system at airbag and stated that the air bag failure was do to wires that ripped loose when steering column collapsed. *ak | |||