This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Recall V06 calls for part the steering components to be welded. If the jam nuts are loose or the threads are bad the drag link is replaced. I don't feel comfortable with a not certified welder welding a steering component that was never designed to be welded. I am also not comfortable with the fact that once they are welded I can never had my truck aligned again. Fca also updated the design for the 2019 model year indicating that they felt the welding is not the best solution. Fca does not know why the drag links are separating. The threads could be bad and welding the jam nuts will not prevent a separation. Further many states will fail a vehicle for inspection if any of the steering system has any welded repairs. Virginia code 19vac30-70-470 the state of Utah where I live has manual to inspect vehicles. It also states to reject a vehicle if a welded repair is present. So how can fca put out a recall fix that would cause the vehicle to fail a safety inspection? fca should replace the drag link with their updated version that does not have a separation issue.
Received a recall earlier this year in ref. To my 2016 Ram 2500 diesel. The steering drag link could come loose and cause an accident. A few months ago I was sent another notice that the repairs have begun. It was suppose to be a 2 hours fix and I was directed to take it to the dealership. On july14, 2019 I called ourisman Dodge Ram Jeep of bowie Maryland and made an appointment for the repair for July 23, 2019 at 8:20 hours. I arrive slightly early and was confronted by an unknown service rep who told me that I could not have an appointment because they were not accepting or scheduling any recall repairs on the Ram trucks. I assured him that I had made an appointment and since this was such a dangerous recall, I need my vehicle serviced. He refused. He did say that he would take the truck, but it may be 3-4 weeks before he had time to look at it. I thought that was unacceptable. He stated that all Maryland dealerships were "backed up" and would not complete the recall work. He told me to go to Virginia and have the work done. I purchased this truck from this dealership and though that was poor customer service. I called the service manager (scott donaldson) and it's been 2 days and he has not returned my telephone calls. Can a dealership refuse to honor recall/warranty work??
Drag link has been recalled on my pickup. Was given what was supposed to be a temporary fix by the dealership that involved welding the nuts to the adjuster sleeve. Now there is a permanent fix and I was told by Chrysler and the dealership that the weld is good enough. I am unable to have my vehicle aligned due to this weld. I will be unable to have any future work that involves the steering done due to this weld. If the weld fails, I'll be left once again with a bad drag link. How is this acceptable? the nits has to be tightened three times before they were welded!
Recall fix for drag link, per manufacturer is following your requirements to weld adjustment nuts to drag link adjuster. No parts available at this time, no future fix is underway. I feel this is an unacceptable fix. Welding a steering part that is designed to be adjustable is not a safety fix. I purchased an aftermarket drag link and replaced it myself until a safe fix is available. Fca refused to reimburse me for the replacement drag link. Note the replacement is not welded, super glued or duck taped fix. The welding of the drag link would require it to be cut to be adjusted and then rewelded. If any future repairs are required a reputable repair shop will not work on this vehicle due to the poorly designed fix. The only repair then would be the dealer who is not a certified welding company. It would not allow me to take my vehicle for repair or maintenance to any shop I would want. I was unaware that you are the ones that design a repair and not require the manufacturer to have replacement part. I hope the lug nuts or steering wheel does not fail, they will want to weld it also. Poor design and poor fix. I am sure that you would not Transport your children, family members or grand children in a poorly repaired fix.
- Albany, OR, USA
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This is in reference to 19V-021. Chrysler's fix is to weld a jam nut which will not allow the vehicle to have an alignment. If the recall fix breaks my vehicle in another way it is not really a fix.
My vehicle has a recall for the drag link. When I took it to the dealer they welded the drag link together with the steering wheel off center. Now I cannot adjust the steering wheel. This is dangerous when a new driver uses the truck and does not realize the steering wheel is off center. The dealer refuses to correct saying this part of an alignment. When the dealer fixes a safety problem by welding the adjusters shut they should be required to adjust the steering before they remove all capability to adjust.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V021000 (steering). The vehicle was taken transitowne Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram williamsville (7408 transit rd, williamsville, NY 14221) and the drag link was welded shut. The following day, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could no longer be aligned due to the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to call NHTSA to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I would like to add my vehicle to the list of ones with the steering linkage issue. I have a 2016 Ram 2500 diesel and after I purchased the truck used with 34000 miles the steering felt loose so I crawled under it and quickly found the. Coupling for straightening the steering wheel was loose and the back up nuts was not tight. I thought it was a fluke so I tightened it. I had it aligned at the local Ram dealership and about two weeks after that it was loose again. I had marked it after the alignment so I was able to realign it and I coated it in oil base paint and cranked it together with two 24' pipe wrench's. I know my vehicle very well and if I had not noticed this it could have easily been a different outcome. Of course now it will probably never come apart but I wanted to be able to trust it. This is a problem that you really need to address.
On 6/22/18, the operator noticed a knocking or clunking sound coming from the front end. Vehicle was brought to the woodstock garage with 23358 miles. Repair order 17572 was completed and it was found to have a loose left inner tie rod lock nut loose. It was inspected, repaired and aligned. Initially we were charged for the repair, but latter received credit, on 13 Sep 18 it was again found to have a loose lock nut, it was repaired under warranty with 26498 miles. As a precaution it was brought back to woodstock garage to have the front end inspected under ro 19288 miles 28224. Ro indicates all steering components were tight.
Dodge/Ram have been having this problem for years and it has become the "normal" for their trucks, but this the slack in the steering column is hardly acceptable. I have to constantly drive with my steering at 10 O'clock to drive straight (even after alignments) and quickly adjust 3-4 inches to adjust right if it suddenly starts pulling the other way. I have to constantly get my steering aligned as the left front tire's toe goes out every 6-9 months causing the truck to pull right very hard when braking. It is a constant "high-alert" status to drive because the slightest wind change, pavement texture, or even motorcycle passing is enough to make the steering shift from pulling right to pulling left. This throws me into the left lane sometimes, which puts my life and those around me at risk. This is a fairly new truck and was doing it when I bought it. I though nothing of it as it was still in warranty bit several Ram dealerships in multiple states have said they couldn't find anything and that it is "normal." I find that Chrysler is negligent to their customers and put people's lives on the line. I have a 2017 Ram 1500 for my company work truck and it does the exact same thing, but pulls the opposite direction. It only has 5000 miles when it started developing slack in the steering. Chrysler refuses to spend the extra.02 cents per vehicle to put a reliable steering vibration damper in the steering column. The more I research, the more I find that this has been going on for decades across multiple generations of Ram trucks. Chrysler needs to be put out of business for this reckless disregard for the people that drive their trucks. From what I have researched, about 50% of their trucks develop this problem. Problem is noticeable while stationary, and driving at all speeds. Worse at highway speeds and while pulling loads.
The recommended pressure for front axle tires is 60 psi, with axle load rating of 5500 pounds. The recommended pressure for rear axle tires is 80 psi with axle rating of 6500 pounds. According to Firestone, the manufacturer of the factory installed tires, the pressure required for even rear axle max load weight rating is 70 psi. For normal load of 3000 to even 5000 pounds on the rear axle, 50 psi is more than adequate according to Firestone. At 50 psi a load range E tire can carry 2680 pounds, giving an axle capacity of 5360--well over the daily weight for most non-commercial drivers. Over inflated tires not only wear poorly, they are dangerous. Over inflation greatly reduces the tread patch that contacts the road surface, causes excessive and unnecessary bouncing, increases the risk of tire damage from pot holes, and basically provides for an unsatisfactory driving experience. I'm certain the engineers at Ram are aware of these facts because in previous years they provided for both light and heavy service inflation. It is utterly unacceptable and grossly negligent for Ram to recommend, and basically require, that owners operate their 7000 pound vehicles on tires inflated to carry over 13000 pounds. Ram is causing possibly millions, certainly hundreds of thousands of truck owners, to unwittingly endanger themselves and others on highways around the country with these dangerous tire inflation recommendations.
B/T 15-20 mph, the engine shuts off. No warning, no noise, oil pressure gauge goes to nothing, and rpms drop to 0. I loose control of steering as well. Everything else has power to it (radio, lights, etc work) has happened 4 times, 3 in a row, spent 2 days at dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong. Happened the 4th time and I have it on video. Its going back to the dealer on Monday for them to try again. Chrysler Dodge is aware of it, and hasn't called to speak with me or returned my phone calls, its been 2wks.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Point, UT, USA