Eight problems related to hydraulic power assist steering system have been reported for the 2001 Dodge RAM. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While traveling at highway speed, at anytime the steering would become inoperable. On the first 3 incedents a hard jerk of the steering wheel would break it free from its extremely tight condition. The truck would once again return to normal as if there was never a problem. After the first incedent I gave the truck's steering system a thorough check. Nothing seemed wrong or out of place. I tried to contact my local Dodge dealer however the service department was not open on saturdays. Since the truck now seemed fine I attempted to go to my house in it. I drove 40-50 miles toward my home without a problem. Within 6 miles of home it occured again, just as it did the first time once again a hard jerk freed the wheel. Another check of the steering system revealed nothing, everything appeared to be fine. 1. 5 miles later it happened again, I repeated the same process again. At this time I decided to slow down my speeds to 35-40mph to help avoid danger just to make it home and Monday I would contact the local Dodge dealer and have it towed back to town. However, upon approaching the next bend in the road I was unable to negotiate the curve resulting in a collision with a cluster of trees. I suffered only minor injuries common in that type of accident. Since then I contacted Chrysler making a formal complaint, resulting in a independent investigator looking at my truck. I stress looking at it because that is all he did besides taking pictures of it. He never removed any component. I receive a letter from Chrysler stateing that after a thorough investigation they concluded there was no manufactering flaw of any kind. My insurance company is doing next to nothing to help me in this matter. As of today (12-6-01) the truck is still in its wrecked condition at a local body shop. The truck should be totalled but the insurance adjuster wants to fix it despite a $22,000 estimate from a Chrysler collision center.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
Steering wander/drifting causes an unsafe condition while driving. Local dealer has temporarily fixed problem but the problem returned soon after the repair had been made. There is obviously a major problem with the steering and components with vehicles with diesel engines. When the steering components loosen up it causes a very dangerous driving condition requiring excessive steering wheel correction.
Power steering failed to operate intermittently making the vehicle hard to steer, contacted dealer, and dealer indicated it was normal for power steering not to operate at all times.
When starting vehicle in cold weather and when depressing brakes consumer would have to apply force to pedal to stop vehicle. The power assist system does not work and power brakes and power steering fails as the result. The dealer and the manufacturer were unable to determine the cause.
When starting vehicle in cold weather it loses all power steering causing the hydroboost system and power brake system to disengage, dealer has been contacted.
The steering on this truck is horrible. It wonders terribly from left to right at any speed. The driver has to constantly correct steering in order to make the vehicle travel in a straight line. This becomes very tiring on trips and presents a hazard during inclimate weather.
Please contact randy vance (surviving son) at listed address. Concern if existing recalls or other manufacturer's defects were contributing factors to the fatal auto accident. Truck failed to slow and negotiate a left hand turn. Truck went down an embankment. Both driver and passenger suffered fatal injuries.