Five problems related to steering wheel have been reported for the 1999 Dodge RAM. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Streering wheel locked up at 65mph. Dealer has been notified.
While driving, steering wheel will lock up to either side (left or right). Then vehicle will be towed.
We contacted you on June 21, 2000. Sent back the form you sent us. Refer to TSB 19-03-99. We have been to national center for dispute settlement and they claim this is a characteristic of the Dodge. TSB 19-03-99 tells them how to fix it and it still has not been fixed. The indepentant vehicle inspection report states:"the steering will not return to center after an in town ninety (90) degree turn. Findings: during the test drive the vehicle consistently would not return to the neutral (center) steering position. Usually the steering wheel had to be turned by hand the last seventy (70) to eighty (80) degrees back mto the center the two(2) sample Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel units I drove returned closer to the center than george duffy's did. The test/sample vehicles returned to the center within ten (10) to fifteen (15) degrees of center. Could the condition be verified? (please circle one) yes or no. 'yes', was circled. If 'yes' is circled, (please circle one) normal or abnormal [abnormal] is circled. If you wish, we will be glad to send copies of all papers and correspondance that we have. We feel, and so did the independant vehicle inspector, that his situation is dangerous! when I told him of not being able to keep the truck on the road ( on CA "89") in hat creek country, and running into the shoulder. I was fortunate that the shoulder was dry. He (vehicle incpector) said "you would not be here to tell the story if had not been dry!".
Since my truck was new there has been play/loosness in the steering, causing the steering to be jerky at highway speeds. Sometimes, the steering wheel can be jerked from my hand. Taken to Dodge and seen by the Chrysler representative, and I was told it was normal.
When traveling the steering wheel operates erratically and uncontrolleably, causing loss of steering control. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer inspecting the vehicle. Please provide any further details.