Dodge RAM 1500 Steering Problems
Owners have filed 833 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Dodge RAM 1500 across 19 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (103). The words owners use most often: “tie rod” (14% of reports).
- 833steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 86mention a crash
- 52mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $970typical repair cost reported by owners
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Tie rod: mentioned in 113 of 833 complaints (14%)
- Rack pinion: mentioned in 51 of 833 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Dodge RAM 1500 at $970, and half of them between $540 and $1,500.
Based on 13 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 608 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 833 complaints, 86 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 52 an injury.
Dodge RAM 1500 steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 RAM 1500 | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 47 | 7% | 45,008 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 45 | 7% | 66,240 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 40 | 8% | 71,400 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 28 | 4% | 68,575 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 103 | 19% | 57,000 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 60 | 12% | 59,000 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 84 | 11% | 78,000 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 59 | 5% | 65,000 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 86 | 8% | 59,633 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 44 | 4% | 76,504 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 44 | 5% | 55,713 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 53 | 5% | 55,900 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 17 | 3% | 100,000 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 32 | 5% | 65,600 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 28 | 5% | 90,825 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 23 | 6% | 95,100 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 23 | 8% | 118,343 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 16 | 8% | 66,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Model years: 2008
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. 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 N49.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Model years: 2008
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Steering:column
Model years: 2002
Problem: On certain pickup trucks, the electrical connector at the bottom of the steering column contains an under-sized terminal for the hvac blower motor circuit. Localized heating from current flow with the blower speed set on high may cause the terminal contacts to relax and lose electrical contact. This can cause the hvac blower motor to become inoperative.
Risk: This condition could cause impairment of visibility in inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a wiring harness overlay to correct this condition. Owner notification began april 15, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the front wheels were uncontrollable. While driving from Georgia to Memphis, there was an unknown object loose by the wheel. The ball joint suspension was replaced by an independent mechanic. The low tire…
I was driving my 2001 Dodge Ram 20-30mph and experienced a total power loss, power steering, power brakes and clock reset. My husband was also in the pickup and can attest to issue. I am an older person so had a very hard time stopping the vehicle and attempting to steer it to the side of the road…
I own a 2014 Ram 1500 and my power steering went out. I could not turn the steering wheel at all. There was no warning or error message. I looked on line and saw that there were a number of complaints for the same issue for the same year, make and model. There was a recall for some vehicles but my…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle was severely shaking and vibrating. The contact replaced the struts and tie rods; however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the…
On my way home. Going through in town (slow)traffic all of sudden I notice I had no power steering & no brakes, no please pull out , I noticed if I keep my rpm about 1500, I would get a little power steering & brakes back!, 4 miles to get home , I drove home slowly What happened was I lost my…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAM 1500s have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 833 owner complaints about steering for the Dodge RAM 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge RAM 1500 steering?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $970 (half paid between $540 and $1,500), from 13 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “tie rod”, in 113 of 833 complaints, followed by “rack pinion” (51).
Other Dodge RAM 1500 problems
- Power Train problems (2,382)
- Air Bags problems (2,208)
- Structure problems (2,020)
- Electrical System problems (1,377)
- Suspension problems (848)
- Engine problems (740)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (599)
- Exterior Lighting problems (484)
See all Dodge RAM 1500 problems.