NHTSA Complaint #10050615 — 2001 DODGE RAM 2500

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