2001 DODGE RAM 1500 Steering Problems

Where the sway bar is bolted to the chassis has completely deteriorated causing sway bar to completely detach from both sides of the frame. This has caused it very difficult to steer and nearly impossible the more MPH the vehicle goes. I own another vehicle nearly exactly the same but a 1998 dodge ram 1500 vin number [XXX]. It to has the same exact problem. I believe that the quality of steel used in manufacturing the frame of these vehicles was not up to standards. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

I'M WORRIED THAT THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE IS DEFECTIVE AS THE STRANGEST NOISE IS COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASH LIKE A RUBBER BAND IS TIGHTENING AND THEN CLICKING ON AND OFF. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. I'VE ALSO HAD MY TRUCK IN FOR THE STEERING BEFORE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN RIGHT. NOW THE HOOD WILL NOT SHUT RIGHT. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A LEMON. I FIGHT TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 36,000 MILES ON IT. I'M WONDERING WHAT RECALLS I'VE MISSED SO I'M CHECKING. THANK YOU.

THE FABRICATED ATTACHMENT POINTS THAT HOLD THE CONTROL ARMS, TRACK BAR, DAMPER AND SPRINGS TO THE FRONT AXLE RUST TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. I HAVE REPLACED MY FRONT AXLE ONCE, AND WILL HAVE TO DO SO AGAIN SHORTLY. FORTUNATELY THIS PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BEFORE THE AXLE FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK, AND THAT IS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED! THE MANUFACTURER SIMPLY DID NOT PROTECT THESE CRITICAL PARTS FROM CORROSION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD A PAST FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES, CORROSION OF THE FRAME, A CRACKED DASHBOARD, AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING SINCE 26,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THESE FAILURES, BUT NOT FOR THE STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.....UPDATED 01/04/2016 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL LOCKS AND PULL JOINTS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000...UPDATED 10-06-15 *BF *TR

MY FATHER BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2001, AND I BOUGHT IT FROM HIM IN 2008. ABOUT 20000 MILES ON THE UNIT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IN 2008, THE DASH STARTED CRACKING AND BECAME VERY BRITTLE, PIECES BEGAN TO BREAK OUT AND HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK AND BREAK. IT IS NOW 2014, ABOUT 32000 MILES ON THIS UNIT, AND I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD WITH AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS, I WOULD BELIEVE THAT THE MATERIALS USED IN THE ORIGINAL DASH WERE BELOW ACCEPTABLE QUALITY. NO FRONT END ZERK FITTINGS FOR STEERING COMPONENTS- CHEAP DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. I HAD TO HAVE NEW FRONT END ASSEMBLIES WITH ZERK FITTINGS, AT A COST OF ABOUT $1400.00. (BECAUSE CHRYSLER/DODGE WENT CHEAP IN CONSTRUCTION.) MY LAST DODGE VEHICLE, I THINK I CAN DO BETTER. *TR

I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THE DASH FALLING APART, THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE BEZEL JUST FELL OFF OF THE DASH ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY. I HAD TO TRY AND STEER WITH ONE HAND WHILE USING THE OTHER TO DISLODGE THE BEZEL AND HOLD IT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. SINCE THEN MY GLOVE BOX HAS FALLEN OFF ALONG WITH THE DRINK HOLDER. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS MAY BE DEPLOYED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL CAUSE THE DASH TO EXPLODE AND SEND PLASTIC SCHRAPNEL INSIDE THE CAB. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH FOR THE PASSENGER AND\OR DRIVER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE AND JERK VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL OR REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY TURNED SIDE WAYS, TRAVELED UP ON THE FRONT WHEELS AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS NOT INJURED, WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DITCH AND PROCEED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY FAILURES THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

JUST PURCHASE MY 2001 DODGE RAM THE DAY BEFORE, TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE TO NEIGHBORING TOWN. WAS GOING 45 MPH AND THE ROAD WAS SOMEWHAT BUMPY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND VERY BOUNCY. THE TOWN WAS 10 MILES AWAY. ARRIVED, TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND WENT INTO MARKET FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. DROVE BACK HOME WITH THE SAME THING HAPPENING(VIOLENT SHAKING AND VERY, VERY BOUNCY) ALL THE WAY BACK. VERY SCARY AND DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT. STEERING WAS DIFFICULT DUE TO THE BOUNCE AND SHAKE. INTERESTINGLY MY FATHER DROVE THIS VEHICLE 300 MILES TO BRING IT TO ME THE PREVIOUS DAY WITH NO INCIDENT OF THE SHAKING OR BOUNCING. A FRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND AFTER LOOKING IT UP ON THE INTERNET, I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED, EITHER BY A RECALL OR DODGE! NOT EVEN A CONCRETE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM? I...

WHEN VEHICLE PASSES OVER DIPS OR BUMPS IN ROAD WITH HEIGHT OR DEPTH IN EXCESS OF 1/2 INCH AT SPEEDS ABOVE 20 MILES PER HOUR TIRES TRAVERSE VIOLENTLY SIDE TO SIDE INHIBITING DRIVER CONTROL UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED TO 5-10 MILES PER HOUR. MOST FRONT END COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH STEERING AND SHOCK ABSORPTION HAVE BEEN REPLACE BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS WITH NO RESOLUTION TO ISSUE. COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OR COLLISION DUE TO "DEATH WOBBLE" OR BRAKING IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MILES PER HOUR. THOUSANDS OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS HAVE BEEN POSTED PORTRAYING THIS EXACT ISSUE. *TR

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT OVER 45 TO 50 MPH, IF I HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END/STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND SOMETIMES ALMOST STOP TO GET IT TO QUIT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME ONE DAY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND SHE REPORTED THE TIRE/WHEEL LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING O LAY ON ITS SIDE. SHE WAS CONCERNED THE TIE ROD WOULD BREAK AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE AT 50MPH OR FASTER THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY SO BAD THAT YOU BARELY HAVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT STOP UNTIL YOU CAN SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN..WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. IT HAPPENED TO ME 3 OR 4 TIMES ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW IT DOWN CAUSING PEOPLE AROUND ME TO ALMOST GET IN TO ACCIDENTS TRYING NOT TO SLAM INTO ME BECAUSE IN HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE PUT IN UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS,TRAC BAR .STEERING COLUMN..NOTHING HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM AND DODGE WANTS TO KNOW NOTHING.SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED IF THIS NPROBLEM ISN'T FIXED BY DODGE. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND ALSO FROM MECHANICS AND PEOPLE I HAVE...

FROM AUG 08 TO PRESENT AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH AND UP MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 WHEN HITTING A BUMP THE FRONT END DEVELOPS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" HAVE HAD TO TWO DIFFERENT DODGE DEALERS AND HAVE PAID TO HAVE ALL BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD ENDS, STEERING BOX ETC REPLACED AND PROBLEM IS STILL THERE NOW I START LOOKING ONLINE AND I SEE I AM ONE OF MANY OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HAVE DODGE COME UP WITH AN ACTUAL FIX FOR THIS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE PERSONALLY HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE PA TURNPIKE AND NUMEROUS OTHER ROADS AND BEEN VERY CLOSE TO SOME DEADLY ACCIDENTS WITH IT. I HAVE ACTUALLY BOUGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND TRUCK IS SITTING IN MY YARD. THE ANSWER I GET FROM DODGE IS TRADE IT IN IF IT IS SUCH A PROBLEM BUT I...

INSPECTED VEHICLE, FOUND DEEP GROOVE WORN INTO CORD LEVEL OF SIDEWALLS OF BOTH LEFT-SIDE TIRES. FOUND LEFT FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER SUPPORT BRIGHT, SHINY, POLISHED. THERE IS NO, OR MISADJUSTED, STOP SO LEFT FRONT TIRE AND SHOCK SUPPORT ATTEMPT TO OCCUPY SAME SPACE DURING SHARP LEFT TURNS, GOUGING TIRE. INTERFERENCE HERE EXISTED FOR AT LEAST 10,000 MILES GIVEN TIME OF LAST TIRE ROTATION THAT PUT DAMAGED TIRE ON REAR. SEVERE POTENTIAL FOR BLOWOUT EXISTS. HAVE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS THROUGH DODGE RAM 1500S. THIS IS 6 CYLINDER MODEL. PROBLEM WILL IMMEDIATELY RECUR IF TIRES REPLACED AND TURN SHARP LEFT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AS NOT YET REPLACED. *TR

FRONT END DEATH WOBBLE ON DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 2009 TRUCKS. WHEN HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF FREEWAY ROAD AT 70 MPH THE FRONT END SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL TRUCK IS SLOWED DOWN TO 45 MPH. SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE INCLUDING REPLACING THE TRACK BAR, STEERING ARMS, BALL JOINTS, FRONT END ALIGNMENTS, WITH NO FIX. THE WEB HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS LISTED BUT NO FIX. THIS MUST BE FIXED BY DODGE WITH A RECALL. CAN YOU HELP! *TR

2001 DODGE QUAD CAB PICKUP HAS FAILING WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN WHICH MAKES TRUCK DIE WHILE DRIVING . WHICH IN TURN THERE IS NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING AND NO ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS THAT MAKES THE TRUCK RUN . DEAD ON THE ROAD LITERALLY. WHO KNOWS AT WHAT SPEEDS THIS PROBLEM MAY OCCUR. LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE GOING SLOW AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK. NO KNOWN HUMAN DEATHS YET THAT I HAVE HEARD OF FROM THIS. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED WITH WIRING HARNESS THERE WILL BE DEATHS, I'M PRETTY SURE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO DO MY BEST TO KEEP MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES SAFE. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE SOMEONE DOES DIE UNNECESSARILY IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CAN BE AVOIDED BY REPLACING THE PROBLEM PART OF THE PICKUP. *TR THE BEARING CLUTCH, REAR CARRIER BEARING, AXLE SEALS,...

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN TWO SEPARATE CRASHES ONE BEING HEAD ON AT 35MPH OVER $6000. IN DAMAGE TO TRUCK 2 ND TIME SAME TRUCK AFTER BEING ROLLED BECAUSE STEERING BOX GAVE OUT AGAIN 2ND TIME FOR THAT TOO. NO AIR BAGS COMPANY CLAIMS CRASH WAS NOT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND MY HUSBAND IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A EVENING WITH HEAD TRAUMA. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PRESENTED ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. PRIOR TO STEERING FAILURES, THE WARNING WAS UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING AND PULLING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERS TWICE FOR ALIGNMENT READJUSTMENTS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A PEDESTRIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO OBSERVED A GROVE NEAR THE TIRE. THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE BOLT IN THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS EXTEND OVER WITHOUT SAFETY STOP AND CUTS INTO THE BEAD OF THE TIRE RIGHT ABOVE THE RIM ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRES AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURERS WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PROBLEMS WAS CAUSED BY A...

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH SOMETHING UNDER THE 2001 DODGE RAM MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER LOOSING BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. *MR *SC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN A BALL JOINT OR TIE ROD END. *JB

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PITTMAN ARM WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER THE REPLACEMENT WAS DONE THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES WERE STILL RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER ALSO WENT TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND THAT TOO DID NOT STOP THE TIRES FROM RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. IT THEN WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING GEAR THAT WAS INSTALLLED ON THE VEHICLE WAS INCORRECT AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSE OF REPLACEMENT. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT WAS CRACKED INSIDE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE SHIFTER IN THE STEERING COLUMN DID NOT WORK.

WHILE TURNING STEERING BLOCK WAS CUTTING INTO THE FRONT TIRES, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TIRES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR

STEERING CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON 2001. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS 996.00.NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. WHILE THE POWER TRAIN MODULE IS COVERED FOR 8 YRS, 80000. MILEAGE JUST OVER 40,000 NO GUAGES WORK ,AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. *AK

THE POWER STEERING SHAFT BROKE WHEN A TURN WAS MADE. WHICH RESULTED IN LOST OF STEERING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB

UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE STRAIGHT. IT WILL EITHER PULL TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT AND WHEN DRIVER ACCELERATES VEHICLE WILL TURN TO THE LEFT.*AKCONSUMER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE PROBLEM WAS ALMOST CORRECTED. WITHIN 1000 MILES THE PROBLEM REOCCURED. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO OBIDE BY ILLINOIS LAW WHICH STATES THAT A VEHICLE REPAIRED FOUR TIMES WITHOUT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD NOT TO CALL AGAIN. *JG

AFTER MANY VISITS TO THE SELLING DEALER, AND A MEETING WITH THE CHRYSLER REP. MY TRUCK STILL EXHIBITS PROBLEMS SUCH AS SAT.4/28/01 WHILE DRIVING I TURNED THE TRUCK RIGHT AND NOTICED THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED BACK TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION, SOMETHING INSIDE CRACKED, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE (AIR BAG) LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINRED ON, TRUCK WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER AND WAS SET FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR MONDAY, 4/30/01. THE OWNERSMANUAL STATES ( WARNING IGNORING THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL COULD MEAN YOU WON'T HAVE THE AIR BAGS TO PROTECT YOU IN A COLLISION) THE DEALER FAILED IN ATTEMPT AFTER ATTEMPT TO INVESTIGATE MY COMPLAINTS, AND NOW CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO DRIVE THIS DEFECTIVE TRUCK. THE BRAKES AT TIMES WHILE COMMING TO A STOP SHUDDER, OR DO YOU CALL IT WHEEL HOP , 3/15/01 DEPENDABLE DODGE REPLACED THE BRAKE DRUMS...