Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
1900201A09/28/20011900201628294This bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for steering sensitivity. *tt03/06/2002
190020109/14/2001190700625597Subject regarding steering wander diagnosis. *tt11/29/2001
19070009/22/2000614655Subject regarding steering wander diagnosis. *tt11/30/2000

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
11/15/20121360001
 I am the owner of a 1999 dodge ram 1500. while my wife was driving approximately 40 mph the power steering failed and lost control of the vehicle without any warning. being unable to control the vehicle the vehicle headed into oncoming traffic, the contact crashed into a ditch. the driver received minor injuries to her hand. the police were not contacted. the vehicle was later towed and he was informed that the steering linkage fractured due to the frame being rusted. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted however, there was no response. the failure and current mileages were approximately 136,000. my wife and other drivers could have been killed. research of this vehicle online shows this is a common problem and should force a recall for repair. my van is a ram 1500 and i have found this complaint filed under ram 1500 trucks and ram vans. *tr
11/15/2012136000
 I am the owner of a 1999 dodge ram 1500. while my wife was driving approximately 40 mph the power steering failed and lost control of the vehicle without any warning. being unable to control the vehicle the vehicle headed into oncomming traffic, the contact crashed into a ditch. the driver received minor injuries to her hand. the police were not contacted. the vehicle was later towed and he was informed that the steering linkage fractured due to the frame being rusted. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted however, there was no response. the failure and current mileages were approximately 136,000. my wife and other drivers could have been killed. research of this vehicle online shows this is a common problem and should force a recall for repair. my van is a ram 1500 and i have found this complaint filed under ram 1500 trucks and ram vans.
11/30/2012940001
 Several months ago i bought a 1999 dodge ram 1500 van with approximately 88,000. after driving on several trips we took it to the shop because the steering was loose and would occasionally make noise. the first mechanic we talked to said the front of the frame is almost 80% rusted through on one side and where the steering box was attached to the frame was rusted to the point that he thought it was unrepairable and he was concerned with us even driving it home. we contacted a second business that deals with frame issues among other things. they were also concerned about the vehicle being driven more than a few miles. he said that there was not enough metal to weld to make it safe and the only way he saw to fix it was to get another frame and basically remove the frame from my vehicle and attach the new frame but he thought that we would have problems finding a frame that wasn't rusted and it would be very expensive to repair even if they did. after searching the internet i have found out that i am not alone in this problem it appears that the frame rusting is common. we purchase the vehicle from the original owner that has always lived in missouri and he received free oil changes for as long as he owned the vehicle from royal gate dodge. i recently called the past owner about the vehicle when we found out it was unsafe and he said they never even mentioned it. i believe that dodge knew of the problem and the dangerous frame but have yet to do anything. please help me with both my vehicle issue and make sure they issue a recall to fix, compensate or whatever to get these dangerous vehicles off the street. *tr
11/30/201294000
 Several months ago i bought a 1999 dodge ram 1500 van with aproximately 88,000. after driving on several trips we took it to the shop because the steering was loose and would occasionally make noise. the first mechanic we talked to said the front of the frame is almost 80% rusted through on one side and where the steering box was attached to the frame was rusted to the point that he thought it was unrepairable and he was concerned with us even driving it home. we contacted a second business that deals with frame issues among other things. they were also concerned about the vehicle being driven more than a few miles. he said that there was not enough metal to weld to to make it safe and the only way he saw to fix it was to get another frame and basically remove the frame from my vehicle and attach the new frame but he thought that we would have problems finding a frame that wasn't rusted and it would be very expensive to repair even if they did. after seaching the internet i have found out that i am not alone in this problem it appears that the frame rusting is common. we purchase the vehicle from the origional owner that has always lived in missouri and he received free oil changes for as long as he owned the vehicle from royal gate dodge. i recently called the past owner about the vehicle when we found out it was unsafe and he said they never even mentioned it. i believe that dodge knew of the problem and the dangerous frame but have yet to do anything. please help me with both my vehicle issue and make sure they issue a recall to fix, compensate or whatever to get these dangerous vehicles off the street.
07/22/201271000
 Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge b-van station wagon. the contact stated that the entire front frame was completely rusted and had been eaten away by corrosion. in addition the contact was able to turn the steering wheel a full 360 degrees. the contact was driving the vehicle when the steering column collapsed and the vehicle stopped independently. the vehicle was towed to a repair shop where it was discovered that the entire front frame was completely corroded. the failure and the current mileages were 71,000.
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
07/12/200464185106/11/1999
 The following is regarding a 1999 dodge ram 2500 van and failure of tie rods. at approximately 30,000 miles both outer tie rod ends were replaced by a dealer for torn rubber boots. at approximately 64,000 miles another tie rod failure occurred. this time it was the adjusting sleeve. the sleeve had become loose on the tie rod end and had developed sufficient movement to wear the threads down to the point where total failure (separation) of the tie rod was imminent. this occurred approximately 3,000 miles after a state inspection and with very little warning. because the vehicle has power steering (which has a very dead feeling), the tie rod had to be very near failure before its effect could be felt in the steering. obviously i feel this is a serious defect because tie rod separation while moving is going to result in a loss of control (go right into the ditch or worse go left into oncoming traffic). while my degree is in electrical engineering, i feel i have had enough mechanical experience and experience working on cars to offer the following comment. i think dodge's design with a sleeve that is split its entire length and depends solely on the clamps for integrity is very poor. for example, mitsubishi uses a solid adjusting section with two jam nuts. toyota again uses a solid section that is split only at the ends where the clamps are used to prevent rotation. both of the latter two designs allow for a more positive engagement of the threads. *la