- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation into an estimated 160,000 2008-'11 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks for outer tie rod failures that may result in loss of steering.
- Chrysler last December recalled the 2008-'11 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 to replace the left tie rod end assembly.
- NHTSA says the new investigation "will determine if the subject vehicles have a similar steering design that might also present a risk of ball joint failure."
WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation into an estimated 160,000 2008-'11 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups for outer tie rod failures that may result in loss of steering. Such a move is sometimes the precursor to a recall.
"On December 23, 2010, Chrysler recalled certain 2008-'11 Ram 4500 and 5500 vehicles (for) left side outer tie rod ball stud shear due to misalignment," said NHTSA in its summary of the defect investigation. "The vehicles may experience a weakening and fracture of the left ball stud on the tie rod, resulting in the potential loss of directional stability. (NHTSA) is aware of 12 complaints of similar failures on 2008-'11 Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles.
"A preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess ball-joint-related issues on the subject vehicles. This investigation will determine if the subject vehicles have a similar steering system design that might also present a risk of ball joint failure."
When Inside Line contacted Chrysler for a comment on the investigation, Chrysler spokesman Vince Muniga replied in an e-mailed message: "As you can see, this is simply a preliminary investigation into tie-rod ends on 2500 and 3500 Ram trucks."
NHTSA said it is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the investigation.
In one complaint about a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 posted on April 1, 2011 on the NHTSA Web site, an unidentified consumer told NHTSA investigators that "while attempting to park, he placed the vehicle in reverse, turned the steering wheel and heard a loud thump. After the loud sound, the steering had become difficult to maneuver. When he got out to look at the vehicle, he saw that the front driver side tire was turned right and the right front passenger side was straight. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and they replaced the tie rod assembly.
"The dealer told the contact there is a NHTSA campaign that was issued for the (Ram) 4500 and 5500, but not this model. The contact is concerned about the safety of the vehicle, because the tie rod was replaced with the same type of tie rod assembly and not a newly manufactured one."
Regarding the earlier Ram 4500 and 5500 recall, Chrysler issued a statement that said it had to replace the left tie rod assembly because "some vehicles may have improper alignment that could cause excessive wear on the left tie rod that could result in the loss of directional stability."
Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500, be aware that a federal investigation is underway. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
jimappleyard says:
12:22 PM, 09/09/2011
I am not into the politics of the situation because I own Fords and Dodges, but I have lost my steering on my RAM at about 20,000 miles and replaced the ball joints as well as the tie rod ends.
I just fot to 50K miles and all four ball joints are now shot. There is something causing theses ball joints to go as the truck is not used for plowing, off the road or for any heavy front end application.
jensonious says:
08:01 AM, 05/03/2011
I could be wrong, but isn't that a picture of a Ram 3500? Just curious due to me noticing that it is a Dually... a 2500 mega cab dually? it almost looks like the lettering on the side says 3500. but they say in the title that its a 2500. Anywho.
copmotor440cid says:
01:01 AM, 04/16/2011
Very interesting how as of this writing there are 10 negative comments (O.K. akula made five of them) on this Chrysler "probe" and 1 lone comment on the F-Series "recall". I think there is a little Chrysler jealousy going on here. Could it be because even the third place domestic pickup (Ram) sold twice as many units last year as the best Japanese offering- the mighty made in America by Americans Toyota Tundra. I am sure you have been towed before akula, so what kind of truck was it that came to your rescue?
nachiman says:
12:03 PM, 04/15/2011
Can someone please get akula a xanex?
akula1 says:
11:17 AM, 04/15/2011
Support America! Buy the best product available to improve competition and quality rather than funding corrupt, socialist labor unions raping the American taxpayer. Even if that means an import made by Americans in America! Or a domestic company that's EARNED the privilege of your patronage. Not blind, red-neck flag wavers looking to boost their union coffers w/ bad product and poor work ethic.
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/must_read/chrysler-employees-caught-boozing-9-23-2010
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/403/nummi
Signed,
Akula1
wikiwiki says:
07:17 AM, 04/15/2011
LOL. Ram tough.
nachiman says:
04:35 AM, 04/15/2011
@akula1- Your beloved imports never had investigations or recalls? What foreign automaker even competes in this segment? Get a clue.
dgmail says:
03:14 AM, 04/15/2011
Buy only imports.
"F" America, send your dollars overseas to help their economies.
Signed,
akula1
mce63 says:
07:06 PM, 04/14/2011
Drivers with broken Ram rods get assistance from Fed's probe.
smallfield says:
05:54 PM, 04/14/2011
@sniperruff
I came in just to suggest the article title be changed into "The feds ram probe"
Cheers!