NHTSA Complaint #10218957 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

ON 02/15/08 I DISCOVERED A PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING RACK, WHERE THE RETURN LINE ENTERS IT. THE RUBBER RETURN HOSE IS ATTACHED TO THE STUD WITH A HOSE CLAMP ALLIED AT THE FACTORY. HOWEVER THE CLAMP IS SO LOOSE THAT THE HOSE CAN BE TURNED BY HAND. THIS LOOSE CLAMP ALLOWED FLUID TO ESCAPE. I INSTALLED A NEW HOUSE CLAMP AND THEN HAD TO ADD ALMOST 1/2 QUART OF FLUID TO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND A DODGE RAM FORUM AND FOUND 3 PAGES OF POSTS ABOUT THIS EXACT TOPIC. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT HAPPENING, WHICH LEADS TO THE TOTAL DRAINING OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID. IN TURN THE POWER STEERING PUMP OFTEN FAILS. IN ADDITION THE LACK OF FLUID AND STEERING ASSISTANCE CAUSE THE STEERING RACK TO COMPLETELY FAIL!! ANY LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN A 5,800 POUND TRUCK IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND MUST BE DEALT WITH BY DODGE, WHO DESIGNED THIS SYSTEM POORLY. *TR