NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
45 reportsClear category filter72,000 miles · Mar 24, 2016
EngineService BrakesSteering
WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD AT 50 MPH APPROX SPEED, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF, BUT I WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE TRUCK TO SHOULDER. AFTER STOPPING, I PUT IT IN PARK, THE KEY WAS STILL IN ON POSITION; TURNED KEY AND ENGINE STARTED. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 45 DAYS AND THIS HAS HAP…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD AT 50 MPH APPROX SPEED, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF, BUT I WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE TRUCK TO SHOULDER. AFTER STOPPING, I PUT IT IN PARK, THE KEY WAS STILL IN ON POSITION; TURNED KEY AND ENGINE STARTED. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 45 DAYS AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AT TOTALLY RANDOM TIMES. I AM VERY FORTUNATE I WAS ON A ROAD WITHOUT MUCH TRAFFIC. HAD I BEEN IN A STEERING, PASSING OR OTHER SITUATION, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT I LEARNED FROM INTERNET THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT OF RAM OWNERS AND OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT VEHICLE OWNERS, AND THAT A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR CERTAIN CHRYSLER VEHICLES ALREADY. THE FAULTY PART WAS THE TIPM MODULE. THERE IS ALSO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PROCESS INVOLVING OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES NOT YET RECALLED, INCLUDING THE MODEL I OWN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO REPLACE TIPM EVEN THOUGH I'M UNDER WARRANTY, BUT INSTEAD WANTED TO DO SOFTWARE UPDATES ON SEVERAL "MODULES" AND SAID IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, I SHOULD BRING IT BACK. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!! I CALLED RAM CUSTOMER CARE AND EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AND THAT I CANNOT ACCEPT A SOFTWARE UPDATE IN THE HOPE IT FIXES IT GIVEN THE TIPM HISTORY OF THESE VEHICLES. THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO DIAGNOSTIC "CODES" PRESENT, SO THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIPM. THEY THEN ADMITTED THAT A FAULTY TIPM WOULD NOT PRODUCE ANY CODES, BUT AGAIN SAID THEY NEEDED TO RULE OUT A SOFTWARE ISSUE FIRST BY TRIAL AND ERROR AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIPM EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO WAY TO DIAGNOSE IF IT WAS FAULTY. MY SON IS DRIVING THIS TRUCK TO COLLEGE, AND I AM NOT ABOUT TO RISK HIM BEING KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE SO I WAS FORCED TO PAY $1,350 FOR A NEW TIPM. RAM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE IMMEDIATELY.
NHTSA ODI #10851512
61,000 miles · Mar 9, 2016
Service BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SHOOK HARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES RETU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SHOOK HARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND A KNOT ON THE LEFT SIDE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
NHTSA ODI #10845834
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2016
Steering
2011 RAM 2500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LEFT TIE ROD STUD RECALL NOTICE AND OPTION 2 REPURCHASE ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER WANTED CHRYSLER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK FROM HIM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE BUY BACK. EVENTUALLY, THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. THE…
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2011 RAM 2500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LEFT TIE ROD STUD RECALL NOTICE AND OPTION 2 REPURCHASE ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER WANTED CHRYSLER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK FROM HIM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE BUY BACK. EVENTUALLY, THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE OPTION OF BUYING THE VEHICLE BACK WAS NO LONGER AN OPTION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10838417
30,100 miles · Jan 18, 2016
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other
RAM BUYBACK CASE HANDED DOWN IN JULY OF 2015. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED IN THIS BUYBACK PROGRAM. FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING, AND REAR AXLE ARE AFFECTED.
NHTSA ODI #10820769
50,000 miles · Jan 8, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WATER PUMP, AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE SERPENTINE BELT AND OTHER ATTACHING …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WATER PUMP, AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE SERPENTINE BELT AND OTHER ATTACHING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, ONE OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRES COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10818955
34,754 miles · Dec 31, 2015
SteeringSuspension
MY TRUCK HAD 34,754 MILES WHEN I WAS TOLD BOTH OUTTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS WELL AS THE LEFT STRUT. I FIND THESE PARTS FAILING THIS EARLY TO BE UNACCEPTABLE. CHRYSLER/RAM REFUSED TO RESPOND TO MY OFFICIAL WRITTEN COMPLAINT LETTER. I REQUESTED A REVIEW AS I FEEL MY TRUCK WAS BUILD WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING PART…
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MY TRUCK HAD 34,754 MILES WHEN I WAS TOLD BOTH OUTTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS WELL AS THE LEFT STRUT. I FIND THESE PARTS FAILING THIS EARLY TO BE UNACCEPTABLE. CHRYSLER/RAM REFUSED TO RESPOND TO MY OFFICIAL WRITTEN COMPLAINT LETTER. I REQUESTED A REVIEW AS I FEEL MY TRUCK WAS BUILD WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING PARTS. AS CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #10817220
61,000 miles · Sep 22, 2015
SteeringWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO OTHER LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO OTHER LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.
NHTSA ODI #10767334
120,000 miles · Sep 12, 2015
Steering
VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AS I WAS DRIVING FROM MY HOME.
NHTSA ODI #10763319
32,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
NHTSA ODI #10748465
6,500 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.
NHTSA ODI #10747627
Official recalls
4Mar 8, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
Dec 20, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Feb 6, 2013
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Dec 24, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RAM 1500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE A NOISE (GROWL, GRIND) COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE BEARING WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FAILURE OF THE BEARING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL INSTALL AN OIL PORT INSERT INTO THE REAR AXLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.