Problems with 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 STEERING

My vehicle was in motion driving on a highway at the rate of 45mph-50mph my husband was driving, i was passenger, and my 2 year old son was in his car seat in the back. all the sudden we hit a small bump in the road, no bigger than your average pot holes and the entire truck broke out into an abrupt shake! it was throwing my husbands and my body around the shake was so intense the steering was controllable but extremely hard. it felt as though our tires were flying right off the vehicle. my husband braked and the violent shake seized and we immediately pulled over and parked the truck. we check and shook all tires they were secure. we looked under the truck everything seemed in place and secure. once we got home i researched the issue and learned of the "death wobble" most dodge trucks have because of the "y" steering bar which most years have a recall to fix the issue however when i called my local dodge they informed me my year of truck doesn't have the recall. this "death wobble" has been known to cause rollovers and accidents. i reached out to chrystler to see if they would fix it and they informed me because there is no recall they wouldn't. we are talking peoples, and others on the road safety! i don't see why they wouldn't want to pay to fix a steering bar which is what maybe $1000 but have the possibility for lives to be lost?

I installed chrysler parts kit 52122362al, upgraded steering linkage drag link tie rod, and 68039930aa pitman arm on my 2001,5 dodge ram 2500 4x4 truck. it easily replaced existing parts needing only a different steering damper to replace the original parts. i have since been learned that the steering linkage drag link parts are recalled after they have been installed on 2003-2008 trucks. recalls i am aware of are h46 and n62. my left tie rod end ball stud has not broken yet but the possibility is very serious. i think dodge ram 1500/2500/3500 series trucks from model years 2001 and 2002 should be included in the recalls.

Truck is very hard to control at higher speeds and i pull a horse trailer. very afraid of what can happen if total steering control is lost while traveling with my horses. it wobbles at speeds around 45 and over and feels like it wants to jump off the road or into another lane on highway. i replaced the entire front end and problem still exists. seen many posts with identical issues as myself. i just want the problem to be resolved. it only has 144,000 miles on it. do we have to wait until a death for this issue to be resolved??

The power steering pump failed while driving on a mountain road. i was unable to steer the truck, and also unable to stop the truck, as the power steering pump also supplies power to assist the brakes. *tr

I was sent a recall while in az. i took it to henery brown automotive and the did not really care to mess with it. they said they have been unable to get the parts to fix it. i told them i wanted it fixed and they said they would call as soon as the parts came in, it is june and i am back in co..the safety recall number as i can tell is n49/natsa 13v-529. left tie rod. can you help get something done and have a talk with henery brown's chrysler. thank you *tr

2001.5 dodge 2500 quad 4x4 diesel. steering has been bad for last few years. took in and all up front is bad, hubs, joints, ball joints, tie rods and even the gear box output shaft. i was told that the dealer knows that the 2500 comes off the line with 1/4" give or take play in the ball joints as it sits new and are actually too small for application which causes all else to go bad over time. i am not hard on my dodge with driving style. cost to fix with stock and after market parts only to prevent is 2600.00. labor is 100.00 per hour how can anyone handle this kind of money up front. truck sits afraid to drive more then local. started seeing at 95000 and have just over 103000. dealer will not fix recalls of 2001 year because its to old! *tr

my main reason for this complaint is it is known across the united states that dodge put a faulty front suspension on its pickups that lead to dangerous steering at highway speeds and death wobbles. my vehicle has the death wobble at highway speeds, understand this death wobble literally tries to pull the steering wheel from your hand and makes the vehicle very hard to manage. my death wobble was severe enough to bust a battery clamp, blow out both headlights, make my quad cab door not open caused my outside temperature sensor unit to malfunction, broke my steering box, broke the clip on my sunglasses holder and caused my track bar to fail again. please understand due to the faulty sloppy drifting steering i had already replaced all tie rods, track bar, ball joints and steering dampener shock. you can go to any diesel forum and hear all the stories of the dodge steering slop and death wobble and i would like to know why the traffic safety board has not forced a recall and upgrades on this product. i have a lifetime warranty on my track bar and can prove it has to be replaced twice a year minimum. dodge did upgrades on the later model years 04-07 because they knew of the design flaw. why are they not responsible for this known road hazard. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 2500. the contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle drifted from lane to lane increasing the risk of a crash. the contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic to have the entire front suspension replaced. after the remedy repair, the vehicle continued to drift from lane to lane while driving at highway speeds. the contact took the vehicle back to the local mechanic for a diagnostic test. the failure mileage was 67,000. the vin was not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge 2500 diesel. the contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph and decelerating to 3 mph, the steering shaft suddenly fractured causing a loss of steering. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that he needed to replace the steering shaft. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 193,000. updated 03/24/11*lj updated 12/14/11 *cn

Booster pump for power steering and transmission don't want to shift when drive from stop to drive into second gear. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 2500. the contact stated while driving at highway speeds the steering would cause the vehicle to travel from one lane to another. the vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised her that the steering track bar and steering boxes failed. the vehicle was repaired. the failure occurred again within two weeks of being repaired. the manufacturer was not contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

2001 dodge ram 2500 dashboard cracking . tv investigation slot shown on internet. my vehicle has the same problem - purchased new dashboard panel from dodge dealer $200. in the past year have front axle seals, water pump, power steering pump , fuel injection pump and automatic transmission failed. repaired over $ 6400 in expense - the dash problem broke the monkey's back. *ak

2001 dodge ram 2500 reg cab long bed pickup. vehicle has 26,000 original miles and after major front end repairs( upper and lower ball joints, stabilizer bar links, stabilizer shock and both wheel bearings) for steering problems, the problem still exists. the truck is almost uncontrollable and wanders into oncoming traffic if constant attention and over correction of steering is not adhered too. driving is a task and is very dangerous. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated while making a left turn at 5 mph, the power steering locked up. the vehicle was towed to the dealership, where the power steering rack was replaced. the power steering rack had failed. updated 10/25/06. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 2500. while driving approximately 75 mph on normal road conditions; there was a sudden loss of steering control. immediately, the driver stopped the vehicle and towed it to an authorized dealer. there were no prior warnings. the failure was contributed to the steering system. the contact was responsible for the repair cost of $1,933.75. the contact stated that there were safety recalls for model years 2003 to 2009 on the identical model. there was concern of the safety risk involved. the failure mileage was 192,175 and the current mileage was 300,000. updated 03/30/10 *bf the consumer stated the steering failed as she was driving. the gear box, steering box and ball joints were replaced. updated 08/18/10 *jb updated 08/23/10*jb

I have a 2001 dodge 2500 cummins diesel 4x4 that i take immaculate care of, and have the service records to prove it. i backed out of my parking space this week when all of a sudden i realize i have no steering. i looked under my truck at the steering linkage to see what was going on and the steering gear box had broken off the frame. the bolts that hold it on had both sheered off and cracked the mounting bracket on the gear box as well. my family and i are lucky to be alive. i contacted lithia motors and told them my situation and she insisted that i have it towed to them before any warranty would be considered. i towed it out there. i showed the service manager becky brinka one of the bolts that sheered off (the other is still stuck in the frame). when i showed her the bolt, she said she would need the bolt for her diagnosis. i told her that she could look at it but i was going to keep the bolt in my possession. she immediately became rude and unhelpful. the mechanic went out to look at my truck and came back in with the diagnosis that the bolts had sheered off. the service manager then contacted the district manager about the situation. she called me back to inform me that it was my fault. i must not service the vehicle very well. at this time i pointed out that she has my service records on file for the last 4 years and to show me where i had missed anything. she then tells me that the district manager said that i would have heard a clunking noise for a long time before this happened. so, i'm towing out of their facility. i'll have someone else fix it. meanwhile dodge gets away with murder and isn't held responsible for their safety issues. how can someone like me fight dodge? i can't get anywhere at their customer service phone#, and they are not going to give me the phone# of the district manager. what do you have to do? take them to court? i don't have time for that and they know this. they figure i'll just go away. *nm

Problems with steering, and vibration/wobble in the front of our 2001 dodge ram 2500. no resolution as of yet. dodge can't find the problem. replaced track bar, but problem has returned. steering wanders, hard to keep truck on the road. vibration in front returned once again. i have heard there is an after market steering stabilizer that can take care of this problem. why doesn't dodge fix it with this steering stabilizer? *tr

Dt: consumer was driving early in the morning with a fully loaded trailer when he lost steering control and was involved in an accident. the vehicle left the road and went right through a fence causing lots of damage tothe vehicle and destroying the fence. vehicle was still running when consumer lost steering. consumer found that steering column had fallen apart. the shaft going from the gear box to the steering column shaft came apart. the bolt loosened and allowed for shaft to separate. the consumer was able to put the shaft back together and drove the vehicle to a garage. the consumer put lock tight on bolt and marked shaft to see if it would move again. consumer has an accident report.*ak

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 2500 quad. the contact stated that there was excessive play in the steering wheel. the vehicle would steer uncontrollably when driving over uneven road surfaces. the manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure and offered no further assistance. the contact stated that the failure had become worse over time. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 101,000.

Dodge ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. *bf the consumer stated while taking a 2 mile drive, he notice he had to constantly overcorrect to the left and then the right. the dealer replaced several componets on the vehicle to try and resolve the steering problem, the replaced all the ball joints which were severely rusted and had no grease, the steering shaft was replaced, the trac bar was replaced due to severe movement. it was finally determined that a alternate valve in the steering box was not performing as it was designed to do, when the mechanic took the valve out it was burned from overheating. *jb

Dodge ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. *bf the consumer stated he was constantly overcorrecting the vehicle left and right. the consumer had many alignments done but to no avail. it was discovered that all the ball joints needed to be replaced due to rust and no lubrication, the steering shaft and trac bar was replaced and the steering box was adjusted. the vehicle was taken to another mechanic and in his opinion alternate valve located in the steering was not performing as it should, when the mechanic removed the valve it extremely burnt from overheating. the consumer stated he no longer has any problems steering the vehicle. *jb

While driving at any speed driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front, and the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that steering column needed to be replaced. *ak

Front upper ball joints are worn out and need replacing. truck has never been used off road and most miles are highway miles. dealer suggested i contact dodge but when i did they refused any help. later that evening isaw an article in the paper about dodge having ball joint recalls on durangos and dakotas.this could be related and reported.*ak

The power steering pump was also the power assist for the brake system. the consumer had no steering and no brakes. *sc *jb

Dodge ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. *bf the consumer stated the vehicle would steer in the direction of oncoming traffic in certain situations when the brakes were applied. *jb

While driving, suddenly the truck starts drifting from side to side, without warning. upon inspection, the consumer noticed that the shaft that comes out of the steering box is lose where the bearing is wearing out. *nm

While making a right turn a loud knocking noise was hard coming from the rear of the vehicle. consumer noticed that the steering wheel was hard to turn. had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal tie rods needed to be greased. *ak

While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the driver's side wheel. consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that tie rod needed greasing. *ak

Pulling into driveway, steering column locked-up and fuel pump went out.*ak

While making a left turn steering wheel locked up. a few minutes later the vehicle unlocked. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic could not resolve the problem. *ak

While backing out the steering wheel was hard to turn and then became loose. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic noticed that the shaft from the steering gear needed to be replaced. *ak

While driving the steering bolt became loose. the steering wheel jumped around which made it difficult for the driver to steer the vehicle. dealer notified. *nlm

Steering. i purchased a used 1998 dodge 2500 with the diesel engine. the steering was very loose, with almost 1/4 turn free play in the steering wheel. the dealer said the track bar was worn out, so i replaced it but did not see any improvement. the dealer then told me there was a problem with the steering box during that year and a different type was used in 1999 due to continuous complaints about the free play in the steering. because i felt driving a vehicle with this much free play was dangerous and i was told the proble was corrected, i traded for a new truck of the same type, buying a 2001. when new, there was not much free play. at about 20,000 miles, i had about 1/8 turn of free play in the steering wheel. this free play caused me to run out of the road on the right side after passing another vehicle then almost hit another vehicle when i came back into the road and went into the left lane. i have taken this vehicle to 2 different dodge dealers and been told there is no problem with the steering, that the free play is normal. *ak

Cracked dashboard leading to defective wiring and steering column problems. *tr

Consumer complained about steering. vehicle had a 5 1/2 inch slack/play in the steering when driving at high speed of 50 mph or more. consumer took vehicle to a repair shop, and had the track bar replaced, but the problem recurred. *ak *tc

Truck wanders randomaly-front tire wobbles. *nlm

While driving 70 mph the steering wheel locked. *nlm....*ak

I just experienced a very severe auto accident in my 2001 dodge ram, the truck was totaled and the jaws of life had to be used to extract me from the vehicle. i had contacted my dealer prior to this (several months ago) complaining of steering problems (wandering), and the dealer informed me,they could not fix the problem because he was receiving pressure from dodge to stop replacing steering components on these trucks. he also informed me, he has a number of documented cases of this problem--16 or so. there is also information that the state of maine forced dodge to replace 20 or 30 of these vehicles due to steering problems. i would appreciate it if you would begin an investigation of this issue as it appears that there are a significant number of complaints about the steering of this make/model of vehicle (check your own database). there is also discussion on several internet boards about forming a class action law suit over this. i was also informed today that dodge is denying that any problem exists with the steering on these vehicles and they are formally denying that the problem i experienced had anything to do with the steering problem that i had reported. *jb

Vehicle is unsafe to drive. the steering wheel does not return to center after turning a corner and it wanders all over the road at all speeds. it tries to follow any change in road surface. dealer has changed out the following parts with no help. ( gear box, lower steering shaft, all 4 tie rods, alignments) i have nearly sideswipped 3 times while driving on the interstate. the truck has been at the dealers 8 times and a total of 11 days. the dealer does not know what to try next.

Consumer called complaining about having problem with the pump of the steering wheel which is leaking, making innoperable to dirve the vehicle. dealer has been notified. please provide further information. ph

At about 40,000 miles my truck started to wander much worse than it had in the past, it has wandered since new. i have had several close calls with other cars and obstacles because the steering seems to have a mind of it's own at times and will swerve and wander in different ways based on road condition, if i'm braking or accelerating. i took it into the dealer for diagnostics and they told me that my steering box and track bar needed to be replaced to the tune of $1400. this is on a $30k+ truck with 40k miles on it! i have contacted chrysler and complaned about this condition and they won't review it until i have it back at the dealer for another inspection then they will decide if they will offer any assistance or not. based on research on the web this is a frequent problem with the dodge trucks.

When the vehicle was at a stand still the steering wheel locked up. the steering wheel had to be turned with force. *ts *nlm

My new truck at 29000 mile began to wander sporadically. it feels as if the truck hits a patch of ice then regains its traction but no ice clear dry pavement it leaves me feeling as if something is going to break at the wrong time...when i have my loved ones in it...for everyone's safety please help...dodge says it drives like a dodge...its sure doesn't drive like it should, or like when it was new up to 29000miles. its got ma problem and i know it...i feel it even if they don't. ts

Steering wanders all over the place. 2001 ram pickup 2500 with only 19,224 miles on it problem first surfaced around 15,000 miles. dealer serviced at 17,207 miles as a licensed inspection mechanic, this vehicle will fail the state inspection sticker test when it is due. the amount of play at the steering wheel is currently at 5+ inches and getting worse. inspection procedures require the play to be measured while observing the tire movement. ( example : turn the steering wheel to the left until visable movement of the tire is seen, mark a reference point on the steering wheel, now turn the steering wheel to the right untill visable movement of the tire , now measure the distance the mark on the steering wheel has traveled. anything over a 2 1/2 " travel is cause for failing the state vehicle inspection sticker. dealer has already replaced the track bar but this did not solve the problem. am awaiting another appointment. my wife refuses to drive this vehicle because of the steering issues. the vehicle always needs to be " chased " left and right to keep it tracking straight ahead.it is my opinion that it is a problem with the steering box. the stae of maine fish and wildlife division forced a buyback of these same trucks because of similar problems with the steering. if they are not safe for our local government then they are sure not safe for the average consumer. please look into this as it is a safety issue that can not be ignored. thank you. concerned citizen in maine. *ak

Loss of steering control while driving forced vehicle over an embankment. dealer notified, and replaced steering gear box. prior to accident, consumer took car to dealer explaining that the vehicle pulled to the right. dealership didn't check anything, which resulted in an accident. insurance company repaired all the damage and replaced steering gear box. *jg *ak

Consumer states while driving the vehicle at any speed the vehicle would drift to the left and the right. ts

Right after purchasing this truck the dealer replaced the steering gear due to excessive center position play. the replacement felt better, but had the same problem after 200 to 300 miles. upon returning to the dealer again, i was told that there is nothing wrong after they test drove the truck. the steering gear has a complete lack of preload torque and over-center torque and does not meet the specifications in the service manual. the dealer did not check this, but i did after my second visit. i have low confidence in the dealership's service department to resolve this issue.

Constant wandering of truck, constant correcting play in steering. i cannot turn steering wheel at a standstill,steering gear box and pump have been replaced under warranty. nothing fixed the problem. the tires have been checked and are not a concern. the dealer says that is the way they are and nothing else can be done. this is a problem and needs to be addressed. *ak

I have a 2001 dodge ram 2500 with the cummins diesel. since the day i drove it off of the lot it has had steering problems. i have had it into the dealer seven times for the same problem and i still have a very dangerous vehicle. i also have numerous other problems with rattles and squeaks that have not been fixed. this truck is definitely a true lemon. the dealer has blamed the problem on tires, steering box, etc., but nothing has fixed the problem. the last statement from the dealer is that this steering problem is inherent to the dodge diesel engines and cannot be fixed. i almost had a head on collision about a month ago and have since parked my truck. i am now driving an older vehicle until i can get this resolved. i will not risk the lives of my family in this truck anymore. i paid $40,000 for a truck i cannot drive.*jb

Improperly hardened shaft used in the steering component. rockwell hardness not up to specs.*ak