19 complaints reported

2016 Ram 3500 Steering

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
19
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that upon inspection, the tires showed excessive wear. The contact stated that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (STEERING); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Nov 2024
Jan 2024

The contact owns 2016 Ram 3500. The contact became aware that the front passenger's side tires had been wearing out prematurely. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop, and the contact was informed that an alignment could not be performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be referred to a specialist for assistance. The specialist called the contact and referred him to a dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact they could not perform an alignment because the steering linkage jam nut was previously welded to the adjuster sleeve under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering). The dealer determined that the drag link assembly needed to be replaced to perform the alignment of the vehicle. The dealer was awaiting manufacturer’s authorization on the drag link assembly replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Oct 2023
May 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected and informed of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V021000 (Steering) and 18E096000 (Steering). The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle was drifting to the left and the right. The contact had to drive at speeds lower than 15 MPH to prevent the drifting from occurring. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the recall repairs were previously completed and was a one-time free repair. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2023
Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated after purchasing the vehicle, the local dealer informed him about NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer stated informed the contact that the nut would be welded and the vehicle would need an alignment. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not completely straight. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and who was unable to align the vehicle due to an issue with the drag link. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,190.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Nov 2021
Jul 2021

Steering is failing. Steers like a boat. Looses control in turns. Over adjustment and correction must be done to maintain course. Same issue occurred in a Dodge Challenger.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jul 2021
Dec 2019

WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD CONSTANTLY MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO RIGHT AND OR STEERING WHEEL BEING HELD TO OR AROUND 1 OR 2 O'CLOCK POSITION JUST TO GO STRAIGHT. WHEN STEERING TO LEFT STEERING WHEEL IS TIGHTER THEN WHEN STEERING TO RIGHT. STEERING BOX NEEDS REPLACED AND OR REBUILT. TRUCK ONLY HAS ALITTLE OVER 60000 MILES ON IT. CONSTANTLY CHASING STEERING WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD. CITY STREETS AND LEFT LANE OF HIGHWAYS ITS EXTREMELY NOTICABLE. HAD TRUCK ALIGNED AND ALIGNMENT SHOP SAYS ALIGNMENT IS DEAD ON. AFTER READING MULTIPLE AND MULTIPLE FORUMS AND OTHER INFORMATION ONLINE, THIS IS A EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS YET NO RECALL TO FIX. RED HEAD IS A COMPANY THAT REBUILDS/UPGRADES THESE STEERING BOXES, BUT THE COST WITH SHIPPING IS AROUND $800. CHRYSLER SEEMS TO DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STOCK STEERING BOXES ON THE RAM 2500/3500 TRUCKS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE YET NO RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Dec 2019
Sep 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V021000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JOHNSON DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (481 US-46, BUDD LAKE, NJ 07828, (908) 850-8700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD BE TAKING AN ADJUSTABLE PART OF THE VEHICLE AND MAKING IT NON-ADJUSTABLE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS REGARDING FUTURE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE THAT MAY BE DEEMED INEFFECTIVE DUE TO THE REMEDY. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2018
Jul 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V021000 (STEERING). DUE TO THE RECALL REMEDY, THE CONTACT WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE PER FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER GUIDELINES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD THE RECALL REPAIR REVERSED IN ORDER TO UTILIZE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITH A NEW AND DIFFERENT REMEDY AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *DT*JB *TR 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Feb 2019
Jul 2019

WOLFCHASE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN BARTLETT, TN TELLS ME IT WILL ABOUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE THEY WILL HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX MY STEERING LINKAGE PROBLEMS ON MY 2016 DODGE RAM 3500 LARAMIE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2019
Jul 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V021000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WOLFCHASE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (8170 US-64, BARTLETT, TN 38133, (901) 373-3030) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2019
May 2019

THIS CONCERNS YOUR #V06/NHSTA 19V-021. THE FIX FCA IS DOING FOR THE DEFECTIVE TRACK IS SOME CHEAP WELDING OF THE LOCK NUTS THAT COME LOOSE, INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE TRACK BAR WITH A PROVEN DESIGN AND WHICH IS READILY AVAILABLE FROM BOTH FCA AND AFTERMARKET SUPPLIERS. IT IS A POOR SOLUTION TO A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH PUTS MYSELF, MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THEW SAME ROAD AT RISK. PLEASE HELP.....

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2018
May 2019

GENTLEMEN, THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE CURRENT V06 RECALL THAT AFFECTS RAM HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE CURRENT FIX OF WELDING COMPONENTS OF THE STEERING SYSTEM BY UNCERTIFIED PEOPLE IN AN UNCONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT IS SOMEWHAT CONCERNING. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS DONE TO MY TRUCK BASED ON THE HIGH NUMBER OF OWNERS DESCRIBING SOME OF THEIR RESULTS DONE BY THE DEALER. I WILL INCLUDE A COUPLE OF EXAMPLE PHOTOS. NOT ONLY IS THE WELDING OF COMPONENTS VERY INCONSISTENT, IT CHANGES THE MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF THE COMPONENTS INVOLVED. IT ALSO RENDERS THE ABILITY TO CORRECTLY DO A FRONT END ALIGNMENT IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT MAJOR MODIFICATIONS HAS A NEW AND IMPROVED DRAG LINK (#CSZHV061AA) THAT IS AVAILABLE BUT IS VERY RELUCTANT IN SWAPPING THESE OUT. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION ON THE RESULTS OF THIS CURRENT FIX AND LONG TERM ISSUES TO OWNERS. THE TRUCKS ARE CAPABLE AND DESIGNED TO TOW MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF WEIGHT AND DO SO ON A DAILY BASIS. ALL THE MORE REASON TO FIX IT RIGHT BEFORE MORE ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. THANKS! CONCERNED!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).? *PM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: May 2019
May 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V021000 (STEERING) HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY AND HAD ONLY LIMITED THE REMEDY TO AN INTERIM REPAIR. THE DEALER TRONCALLI CHRYSLER-JEEP-DODGE-RAM (818 ATLANTA HWY, CUMMING, GA 30040, (678) 244-4100) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *BF *AS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2019
May 2019

I APPLAUD YOUR WORK IN HOLDING AUTOMAKERS ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUES. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR V06/NHTSA 19V-021 (STEERING SYSTEM RECALL). RATHER THAT PROVIDING NEW PARTS FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS, RAM STATES THAT NHTSA HAS APPROVED WELDING THE STEERING JAM NUTS TO THE ADJUSTER. THE DEALER SUBMITTED A STAR CASE (#101582875) TO HAVE REPAIR PARTS PROVIDED WHICH WAS DENIED, BASED ON NHTSA APPROVAL OF WELDING. ALSO, CALLED RAM CARE (CASE # 68052515) THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE REPAIR PARTS AND DIRECTED ME TO CONTACT THEIR FCA HQS VIA STANDARD MAIL. IT IS APPALLING TO ME THAT WE HAVE HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS ON THE ROAD THAT COST OVER $60K AND RATHER THAT REQUIRING RAM TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS, WE ALLOW THEM TO WELD PARTS. MOST OF THESE HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS ARE USED TO HAUL HEAVY TRAILERS. WELDS IF NOT DONE PROPERLY WEAKEN METAL AND CAN BREAK UNDER STRESS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS FIX (WELDING) RENDERS STEERING SYSTEM ADJUSTMENTS INOPERABLE WITHOUT GRINDING THE WELD ADJUSTING THE STEERING AND RE-WELDING THE PART ALL OF WHICH DAMAGES AND STRESSES THE CRITICAL EXISTING STEERING PARTS. REQUEST THAT NHTSA REQUIRE RAM TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING PARTS AND NOT ALLOW A JAM NUT TO THE ADJUSTER WELD AS A PERMANENT FIX TO THE STEERING SAFETY RECALL. THANKS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2019
Apr 2019

FCA AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO VERIFY THE SAFETY OF MY TRUCK. I BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL NHTSA 19V-021 (DRAG LINK). I TOLD THE DEALER I WANTED THEM TO INSPECT THE DRAG LINK NUTS TO INSURE THEY WEREN'T COMING OFF. I ALSO SAID I DIDN'T WANT THE NUTS WELDED TO THE DRAG LINK. WELDING THE NUTS WOULD PREVENT ADJUSTMENT WHEN ALIGNING THE TRUCK IN THE FUTURE. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CUT OFF THE WELDS WHEN DOING THE ALIGNMENT. UNFORTUNATELY THIS WOULD FORCE ME TO RETURN TO THE DEALER, WHICH IS ALMOST AN HOUR AWAY, AND WOULD PREVENT ME FROM GETTING AN ALIGNMENT AT ANY NORMAL SHOP. THIS IS FORCING ME TO PAY MORE MONEY FOR ANY FUTURE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE TRUCK. HE SAID THAT THE ONLY WAY THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE DRAG LINK WAS IF THEY PERFORMED THE ENTIRE RECALL, INCLUDING WELDING THE NUTS. I ASKED IF I LET THEM WELD THE NUTS WOULD THEY REPLACE THE DRAG LINK AT A LATER TIME WHEN THE NEW PART BECAME AVAILABLE, THEY SAID NO. I AM NOW DRIVING A TRUCK THAT I DO NOT KNOW THE SAFETY OF BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE DRAG LINK. I CALLED FCA AND OPENED A CASE (NUMBER AVAILABLE). FCA TOLD ME THIS WAS UP TO THE DEALER. WHY DO I HAVE TO ACCEPT A NON-STANDARD SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM THAT WILL NOT GET ME A NEW, UPGRADED PART, AND WILL COST ME MORE MONEY IN THE FUTURE THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Apr 2019
Mar 2019

JAM NUTS ON DRAG LINK ADJUSTER KEEP LOOSENING. RAM HAS ISSUED A JUNK FIX BY WELDING THE NUTS TO ADJUSTER SLEEVE. WELDING ON MY TRUCK IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I WANT A REPLACEMENT PART, NOT A WELD FIX. SAFETY RECALL V06 / NHTSA 19V-021 DRAG LINK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2019
Mar 2019

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE #V06/NHTSA19V-021 IN THE MAIL, SO I WENT OUT TO INSPECT THE DRAG LINK ON MY 2016 RAM 3500 AND NOTICED THAT THE LOWER JAM NUT HAD BACKED OFF THE THREADS ABOUT A 1/4" IN. CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SEE WHEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD TO CALL BACK IN A FEW WEEKS. AND I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE ADVISER TO SEE WHAT THE FIX WAS GOING TO BE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD TIGHTEN THE JAM NUT AND WELD NUT TO THE SLEEVE. I HAVE BEEN A WELDER FOR OVER 30 YEARS AT THE PSNS IN BREMERTON, WA.. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE MATERIAL TYPE AND WELD FILLER MATERIAL TYPE IT COULD CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE WELD AND THE MATERIAL THAT IT IS WELDED TO. ALSO, ANYTIME YOU WELD SOMETHING THE HEAT AFFECTED ZONE IS A WEAK SPOT. I DON'T THINK THIS CORRECT FIX DUE TO IT BEING A STEERING COMPONENT. *DT*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2019
Jan 2018

DRAG LINK FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. APPARENTLY THREADS STRIPPED OUT IN THE COUPLER NUT RESULTING IN TOTAL STEERING LOSS. *DSY

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2018
May 2017

1ST ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION @1800MILES "TOE SET", ANOTHER ROTATE THEN OFF SET BALL JOINT BECAUSE IT DEVELOPED A "PULL" AND "CLIMBED CROWN", 3RD ROTATION, WAS TOLD NO MORE ALIGNMENT AVAILABLE WITHIN SPECS, 3,800 MILES NEEDS ROTATION DUE TO OUTER TIRE WEAR, SHIMMY ON MINOR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS HAS JUST BEGAN. FRONT TIRES GET HOT AND OVER INFLATE, TIRE MANUFACTURE CONCERNED, LOWERED PRESSURE #10 BELOW MANUFACTURE PRESS SPECS AND THEY INCREASE ABOVE #85 SPEC AND ARE HOT. NETWORKING WITH OTHER OWNERS AND AFTER MARKET FRONT END MECHANICS DISCOVERING DODGE HAS A FRONT END PROBLEM REDESIGNED IN 17. CHRYSLER REPAIR FACILITY HAS INFORMED ME THAT THEY DODGE HAS A PROBLEM WITH FRONT END, BUT DON'T HAVE A FIX. THE TIRE WEAR IS HIGHWAY MILEAGE AND NO LOADS, NO WEIGHT. TAKING TO 3RD PARTY TO READ ALIGNMENT SPECS AND INSPECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 RAM 3500, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Apr 2017

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ram 3500 has 19 Steering complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.