NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
16 reportsClear category filter48,600 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY FIRM. THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE TRACK BAR COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING LIMITED ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY FIRM. THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE TRACK BAR COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING LIMITED ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,600. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF ALSO, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND COIL SPRING WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/13/11
NHTSA ODI #10351446
66,000 miles · Sep 29, 2003
Steering
STEERING WHEEL MOVES IN AND OUT A LOT. IT IS A 1995 DODGE RAM PU. THERE WAS RECALL WORK DONE TO THE STEERING IN 1997. TOOK TO DODGE DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT REPAIR. UNLESS I PAY FOR THE WORK. CALLED CHRYSLER THEY SAID THE SAME THING.
NHTSA ODI #10040916
98,000 miles · Jul 10, 2003
Fuel System, GasolineSteering
THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN OUT OF GAS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMED UP, IT SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER FELT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. *NLM THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. A GRINDING NOISE HAD COME FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THE PINION GEAR HAD GONE BAD. THE ENTIRE REAR END WAS REPLACED AND THE 20K MILES LATER WAS REPLACED AGAIN…
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN OUT OF GAS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMED UP, IT SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER FELT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. *NLM THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. A GRINDING NOISE HAD COME FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THE PINION GEAR HAD GONE BAD. THE ENTIRE REAR END WAS REPLACED AND THE 20K MILES LATER WAS REPLACED AGAIN. (THE SAME PROBLEM) *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017417
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2002
Power TrainSteering
WHEN THE KEY TURNS OFF ENGINE MOST OF THE TIME YOU CAN`T GET THE KEY OUT BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER DOES NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO IT`S SLOT ,AND EVEN AFTER IT DOES FINALLY GO INTO THE SLOT (AFTER WORKING WITH IT) THE STEERING WHEEL DOES`NT LOCK !*AK
NHTSA ODI #761660
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2000
Steering
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN 1997 FOR STEERING COLUMN, AND DEALER PUT A PLASTIC BUSHING TO KEEP STEERING FROM WORKING LOOSE. 3 YEARS LATER , STEERING WAS COMING LOOSE AGAIN & MAKING A POPPING NOISE. PROBLEM WASN'T COMLETELY FIXED. CURRENTLY, DEALER WANTS CONSUMER TO PAY $500.00. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THERE ARE NO OTHER…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN 1997 FOR STEERING COLUMN, AND DEALER PUT A PLASTIC BUSHING TO KEEP STEERING FROM WORKING LOOSE. 3 YEARS LATER , STEERING WAS COMING LOOSE AGAIN & MAKING A POPPING NOISE. PROBLEM WASN'T COMLETELY FIXED. CURRENTLY, DEALER WANTS CONSUMER TO PAY $500.00. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THERE ARE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875898
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT AT 20-24,000 MILES. ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON/STAY ON AROUND 26,000 MILES, 99 PERCENT OF THE TIME. THE DEALER AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PART, BUT, CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. THEY DON'T KNOW OF THE CAUSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #865728
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE SHOES AND PADS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #784668
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #530850
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 1999
Steering
DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA ODI #781787
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 1998
Steering
WHEN PURCHASED USED TRUCK IN 12/97 NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE. MENTIONED TO USED DEALER AND SAID THAT ALL TRUCKS HAVE LOOSE STEERING. NOT CONTENT WITH THAT ANSWER TOOK TO CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE SHOP REPLACED THE TIE RODS, SHOCKS, AND TRAC BAR ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. TOLD ME THAT THE ST…
Read full complaint
WHEN PURCHASED USED TRUCK IN 12/97 NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE. MENTIONED TO USED DEALER AND SAID THAT ALL TRUCKS HAVE LOOSE STEERING. NOT CONTENT WITH THAT ANSWER TOOK TO CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE SHOP REPLACED THE TIE RODS, SHOCKS, AND TRAC BAR ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS WORN. TOLD THEM NOT TO REPLACE THAT BECASUE I WANTED TO INVESTIGATE FOR MORE INFO. AFTER WORK WAS COMPLETED, STILL A LOT OF STEERING PLAY. NOT SATISFIED. NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR BOX, BUT I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO BE COVERED BY DODGE OR NOT. LOCAL DODGE SHOP SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER IT.
NHTSA ODI #701454
NHTSA investigations
4DP03006 · Seat Back Failure
Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Apr 8, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:recliner
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.
Seats:front Assembly:recliner
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
EA98010 · Headlight Circuit
Opened May 8, 1998 · Closed Dec 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN OVER-HEAT AND FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEAD LAMPS AND POSSIBLY OTHER LIGHTS.DAIMLERCHRYSLER CONDUCTED A SERIES OF TESTS AND DETERMINED THAT THE 3500 SERIES IS PRONE TO GENERATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT THRESHOLD OF 100 DEGREES CENTIGRADE.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE LUBRICANT SOLIDIFIES AND ADHERES TO THE SWITCH CONTACH SURFACES INCREASING INTERNAL RESISTANCE AND THERFORE, TEMPERATURE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER INFORMED THE NHTSA THAT IT WOULD INITIATE A RECALL OF 79,3665 MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE 3500 SERIES RAM TRUCKS ONLY BASED ON ADDITIONAL TESTING FROM WHICH IT DETERMINED THAT THE 1500/2500 SERIES VEHICLES NOMINALLY OPERATE SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE TEMPERATURE THRESHOLD OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT.OWNERS OF 1500/2500 SERIES TRUCKS WERE SENT A NOTIFICATION LETTER ADVISING OF THE PROPER METHODS FOR ADDING AFTERMARKET LIGHTING ACCESSORIES.
PE96022 · Alleged Failure Of Steering Pitman Shaft
Opened Mar 22, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman
STEERING BOX OUTPUT (PITMAN) SHAFT BREAKAGE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
Illustration