2001 DODGE RAM Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System Problems

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. *TT

POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO STEER, CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED IT WAS NORMAL FOR POWER STEERING NOT TO OPERATE AT ALL TIMES.*AK *NLM

TWO TIMES WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT. THE FIRST TIME RESULTED IN A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. AFTER TEN MINUTES THE TRUCK WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ALSO BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND LOST BOTH THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS TIME THE MANUFACTURER HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK HAULED TO THE DEALER. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKES AND STEERING ARE RUN OFF THE SAME GEARING ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THIS TRUCK SEEMS TO REQUIRE CONSTANT CORRECTION TO THE STEERING TO MINIMIZE WANDER.*AK

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER IT LOSES ALL POWER STEERING CAUSING THE HYDROBOOST SYSTEM AND POWER BRAKE SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE, DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *TT

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO APPLY FORCE TO PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK THE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AND POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FAILS AS THE RESULT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *YH

TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING. AM IN PROCESS OF REPLACING POWER STEERING PUMP/BRAKE VACUUM PUMP (ONE UNIT) FOR THE SECOND TIME. AT TIME OF LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL WITH A FULL SIZE CAMPER ON ICE. SLID SIDEWAYS AND STOPPED IN SNOWBANK. AM AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE AFTER SECOND INCIDENT. KNOW SEVERAL DRIVERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM WITH 2001 DODGE RAMS.

THE STEERING ON THIS TRUCK IS HORRIBLE. IT WONDERS TERRIBLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AT ANY SPEED. THE DRIVER HAS TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT STEERING IN ORDER TO MAKE THE VEHICLE TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS BECOMES VERY TIRING ON TRIPS AND PRESENTS A HAZARD DURING INCLIMATE WEATHER.*AK

STEERING WANDER/DRIFTING CAUSES AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHILE DRIVING. LOCAL DEALER HAS TEMPORARILY FIXED PROBLEM BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED SOON AFTER THE REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND COMPONENTS WITH VEHICLES WITH DIESEL ENGINES. WHEN THE STEERING COMPONENTS LOOSEN UP IT CAUSES A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION REQUIRING EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL CORRECTION.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AT ANYTIME THE STEERING WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE. ON THE FIRST 3 INCEDENTS A HARD JERK OF THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BREAK IT FREE FROM ITS EXTREMELY TIGHT CONDITION. THE TRUCK WOULD ONCE AGAIN RETURN TO NORMAL AS IF THERE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM. AFTER THE FIRST INCEDENT I GAVE THE TRUCK'S STEERING SYSTEM A THOROUGH CHECK. NOTHING SEEMED WRONG OR OUT OF PLACE.I TRIED TO CONTACT MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT OPEN ON SATURDAYS. SINCE THE TRUCK NOW SEEMED FINE I ATTEMPTED TO GO TO MY HOUSE IN IT. I DROVE 40-50 MILES TOWARD MY HOME WITHOUT A PROBLEM. WITHIN 6 MILES OF HOME IT OCCURED AGAIN, JUST AS IT DID THE FIRST TIME ONCE AGAIN A HARD JERK FREED THE WHEEL. ANOTHER CHECK OF THE STEERING SYSTEM REVEALED NOTHING, EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE FINE. 1.5 MILES LATER IT HAPPENED...

PLEASE CONTACT RANDY VANCE (SURVIVING SON) AT LISTED ADDRESS. CONCERN IF EXISTING RECALLS OR OTHER MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE FATAL AUTO ACCIDENT. TRUCK FAILED TO SLOW AND NEGOTIATE A LEFT HAND TURN. TRUCK WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK