10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,376 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2013 Ram 3500 steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ram 3500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Ram 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #36

Jan 252019

3500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been having problems with a recall issued by NHTSA. The recall was V06 drag link. When the recall wa preformed, the alignment nuts on the drag link were welded so the couldn't come loose. I've had to have my truck realigned 2 times since the drag link nuts were welded. As of right now the nuts are not welded and the integrity of the drag link is compromised. I've had it into 3 different independent repair shops and each say that welding the nuts should only be a temporary fix not a permanent fix. Since the welding, I've had steering issues with my truck which is why I've had it in the reapir shops. I feel that the drag link needs a total replacement and not a bandaid fix. I've contacted fca 2 times and have a case number, #87576294. The calls made were on Oct. 10 & Oct 24. I've also contacted the the Ram dealership in my area where I get service done and have "0" response from them. I would like to know what I can do to get this issue resolved. The welding of a steering component (drag link) is not a fix. I have had steering issues and death wobble occur since this recall was completed. I've had it in for 2 alignments. I'm worried for the safety of my family not having this issue taken care of. Please advise on my next steps thanks for your attention. Recall - V06 NHTSA 19V-021

- Casper, WY, USA

problem #35

Mar 302023

3500

  • miles
Truck was repaired June 2019. They welded the jam nut which made it impossible to get an alaignment.Been having a open claim with Chrysler Jeep and Dodge going on 2 years per claim #78469040 Front Suspension Track Bar Frame Bracket ( vehicle recently started to do the death wobble again)

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #34

Jul 082019

3500

  • miles
Took truck to Mac Haik here in Houston to perform the recall.The jam nut on drag link was welded, which was not a fix.Went back after being told truck can't be aligned with the drag link being welded.Was told I'd have to pay out of pocket for the weld to be cut, which sense have led to other issues with the front suspension. Attached is docs concerning this matter.....I been having a open claim with Dodge Chrysler and Jeep for over 2 years.Is there any remedy for such a problem?

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #33

May 082022

3500

  • 149,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V541000 (Steering); the contact stated that after the repair while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the track bar was recently replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to maneuver the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of holes in the steering bracket. The contact called the dealer and attempted to purchase the brackets however, the contact was unsuccessful in retrieving the repair parts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

- Coalinga, CA, USA

problem #32

Feb 282021

3500

  • 168,841 miles
The tie rod end, which was previously recalled, broken in to two piece at the adjustment sleeve while driving.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #31

Sep 082020

3500

  • 119,175 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 9V021000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 15V541000 (steering) completed at local dealer star Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram located at 5101 S 1st St, abilene, tx 79605, (325) 698-2222. The contact stated after the repairs were completed while his wife was driving she experienced the death wobble and skimmed the cement wall of a bridge. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated no one was injured or seeked any medical attention. No air bags deployed. The contact stated he had also experienced the failure while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and were made aware of the failure. The contact stated he had all 4 tires changed but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but was unable to speak to anyone. The failure mileage was 119,175.

- May, TX, USA

problem #30

May 132019

3500

  • 37,203 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 18E096000 (steering) at the haddad Dodge Ram located at (3000 harris rd, bakersfield, ca 93313). The contact stated that the technician performed an interim repair. The contact stated that the vehicle also required an alignment however, dealers declined to perform the alignment until the remedy was finalized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 37,203.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #29

Dec 022019

3500

  • 102,000 miles
The vehicle was taken in for a front end alignment. When the technician loosened the tube retaining clamp to adjust the outer tie rod, one side of the threaded portion of the adjuster tube, socket, tie rod end (68369910ac) fell on the ground. The metal wall sheared at the start of the adjustment threads and showed signs of metal fatigue. The opposite side was fully cracked in the same location but had not sheared off the adjuster tube, socket, tie rod end yet. It took very little effort to break the piece off by hand. Failure would have been imminent if left untouched. Failure while the vehicle was in operation would have resulted in loss of control of the vehicle. The vehicle was stationary at an alignment shop. The adjuster tube, socket, tie rod end is identified as part (1) in the attached drawing. Failure point is at the end where adjuster tube (2) is threaded in and tube retaining clamps (15) and (16). Pictures of the failed component are attached.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #28

Sep 272019

3500

  • 104,000 miles
Steering cupling under dash has slack making steering loose and alternator problems truck only has 113609 miles Chrysler Corp says it's not a problem and more recalls are showing on it driving on open road constantly working steering wheel to keep in straight line on the road city driving is as bad sitting still it has about half inch or more loose play in steering

- Belton, TX, USA

problem #27

Oct 202018

3500

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. While driving 45-50 mph, the steering wheel and wheels wobbled. The contact had to decelerate to 10 mph. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called medved Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1520 S wilcox St, castle rock, co 80104, (303) 688-3137) and was informed that diagnostic testing was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Monument, CO, USA

problem #26

Mar 172018

3500

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our truck has started shaking violently, seemingly randomly, at freeway speeds (has only occurred at 50+mph). The steering wheel and the whole truck begins violently shake and becomes nearly uncontrollable while driving at freeway speeds- it happens instantaneously and without warning! you have to slow down to less than 20mph, or completely stop and then restart and it goes away. The last time is occurred, March 17 2018, I was driving and nearly lost control of the truck when is started shaking, I was lucky that traffic was light and no one was in the lane to my left so I was able to pull over safely without hitting someone. It also does not happen every time you drive it, so as of right now, it is very random, but it has happened at least 5 times in the last 2 months, and we only drive our truck 1 or 2 days a week. We are fearful to drive our truck, and there is no known fix for this problem. We have new tires, a recent front end alignment, and the truck is completely stock. We had the vehicle evaluated by an automotive repair shop today, and they could find nothing loose or broken. I can send a video in of this problem if you would like. There are other videos already out there with this problem as well.

- Monument, CO, USA

problem #25

Jul 072017

3500

  • 78,000 miles
Steering linkage broke causing the vehicle to be towed in. Right tie rod broke at tube end near total toe adjuster clamp. Loosing any ability to steer the vehicle.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #24

Aug 092017

3500

  • 71,300 miles
Death wobble. Steering starts wobbling after hitting a bump at interstate speeds. Must slow to below 30 mph to make it stop. Very dangerous as it is hard to control direction of vehicle when wobbling.

- Taylors, SC, USA

problem #23

Jun 012017

3500

  • 69,000 miles
On June 1, 2013, I was driving the Dodge Ram 3500 at highway speed (approx. 60 mph) when the steering completely locked up and 4-way emergency flashers failed. I drifted to the side of the highway and came to a stop. I immediately called roadside assistance. My phone log shows this call started at 8:40am and lasted 9 minutes. During the call, Washington department of transportation incident response stopped at the scene and neither of us realized the extent of the problem and wa dot left the scene. Near the end of the call, I noticed smoke pouring from under the hood and exited the vehicle. At that time, I noticed burning material on the ground under the truck's engine. I hung up with roadside assistance and called 911 at 8:49am. At that time, at least 4 law enforcement, 2 fire engines, and wa dot arrived on scene and shut down the entire state highway due to the size of the fire. One lane of the highway was reopened just before 9:20am. When I left the scene, the fire department was still actively working to control the blaze and had cut open the truck's hood to better access the fire. After the fire, I re-read the recall notice for the vehicle's alternator and believe this probably caused the near-crash and fire.

- Beavercreek, OR, USA

problem #22

Jul 012016

3500

  • 52,000 miles
1st time our truck shook so bad we had to get off the highway, 2nd time truck wouldn't go into drive. 3rd time truck said it was in gear when it was in park. 4th time perform service light. Actuator. 5th time perform service light. And now this. We have owned this truck for 10 months and it has been in the shop multiple times for multiple weeks. The last time being for a 9 nine days. They have now sent it home saying they can't fix it because the recall parts are not available. The perform service light is still on and I was told when the check engine light comes on again which they said it would that I can bring it back and they'll turn it off again for me. We have filed a complaint with Dodge and they opened a case then sent us a message that they closed our case because our truck had been fixed. We are at a loss as to what to do now.

- Fulton, MO, USA

problem #21

May 082017

3500

  • 35,000 miles
Dodge death wobble. While driving our 2013 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 turbo diesel pickup truck at about 40 mph the front end started violently shacking. I could not steer or control the vehicle at that point. This has happened now twice. First time I was on a freeway and almost caused a serious accident and the second time I was on a two lane hwy and almost drove off a cliff. Both occurrences I was only able to slow down but had zero control over steering. Once I got slowed down to about 10 mph I was able to let off the brake and the violent shaking stopped. I have taken the vehicle into the Dodge dealership who said there was nothing wrong with our vehicle. Similar reports of this issue are all the internet. In both occurrences it felt like the shacking started in the front right side of my vehicle.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #20

Mar 282016

3500

  • 29,468 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated that there were multiple failures concerning the vehicle and the dealer failed to provide a solution after several repairs. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle experienced a strong "death wobble" vibration. The vibration caused the front seat belts to restrict and loosen. The contact had to reduce the speed to below 45 mph to prevent the condition. The dealer diagnosed that the tires needed to be replaced by a tire repair shop and the steering box failed and needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle inspected by two independent mechanics. The vehicle was also taken to a tire repair shop for further inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,468.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #19

Feb 062017

3500

  • 92,000 miles
While driving at 65 mph the steering wheel started jerking back and forth, almost went off hiway, took it to a dealer and they replaced the steering box. Had extended warranty but dealer charged me $1100 for the repair, drove about 100 miles and same problem only worse did the death wooble doing 45 mph can't even drive it back to the dealer that did repair.

- Montrose, CO, USA

problem #18

Dec 252016

3500

  • 63,000 miles
On highway at 60mph hit bump staring to shake violently slowdown to 30 mpg to stop it from shakeing this is about the six time dealer says nothing wronge some call it the dealth wobble.

- Munhall, PA, USA

problem #17

Mar 032016

3500

  • 86,500 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. While driving approximately 75 mph, the front end of the vehicle began to vibrate violently and the contact lost steering control. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and maneuvered to side of the road for a few moments. The engine was not turned off and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,500. The VIN was unavailable.

- Philadelphia, MS, USA

Read the next 16 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?