RG3 RG4 RJ3 RJ4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and updating the radio software, if required. ? Duplicate song titles may be displayed in USB mode. ? Last track is displayed but next track is being played. ? SD, USB or BTSA modes may b
View on NHTSA →2013 RAM 2500 steering problems
severe 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 31 steering complaints filed for the 2013 RAM 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 31 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
RG3 RG4 RJ3 RJ4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and updating the radio software, if required. ? Duplicate song titles may be displayed in USB mode. ? Last track is displayed but next track is being played. ? SD, USB or BTSA modes may b
View on NHTSA →Title 68245351AB: Switch - Steering Wheel Lt Start Date: 10/27/2015 7:00 AM End Date Message You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return all suspect stock of follow ing part number: 68245351AB
View on NHTSA →Pump - Power Steering Hydraulic NOTE: This Tech Tip is for gasoline engine JK vehicles only, manufactured before August 26, 2015. If the power steering pump is being replaced because the power steering fluid flow or pressure readings are below specificatio
View on NHTSA →RG3 RG4 RJ3 RJ4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and updating the radio software, if required. DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) is inoperative. Wrong routing for addresses with a longitude between 0 and -1 degrees. Speed Camera UK & Spain com
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 RAM 2500 steering system generates widespread complaints centered on "death wobble"—a violent, uncontrollable oscillation of the front end triggered when the truck hits bumps or potholes at highway speeds. Owners report the truck shakes so hard at 50–75+ mph that steering control becomes difficult or impossible until speed drops below 15–35 mph. This occurs as early as 3,500 miles on some trucks and recurs even after extensive repairs.
Owners have replaced ball joints, track bars, tie rods, steering dampers, shocks, hubs, and alignment work—with repair bills reaching $2,751—only to have the wobble return within 2,000 miles or persist despite replacement of the entire front end. One dealer service manager stated the problem cannot be 100% fixed and will always come back.
Additional steering defects include excessive play in the steering wheel (up to 6 inches reported), causing the truck to wander across lanes as if the driver is impaired. Some owners report steering response so sluggish that a half-turn of the wheel produces no tire movement at slow speeds. Steering gear boxes leak oil repeatedly even after seal replacement, steering dampers develop metal-to-metal clunking from lug contact failure, and track bar mount welds crack causing violent shaking. One owner experienced a steering arm breaking completely, causing total loss of control. Another's water pump failure at 40,000 miles disabled both power steering and brakes simultaneously with no warning.
Same RAM 2500 steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble - Violent Front-End Shake After Road Impact
Severe oscillating vibration of the front end triggered by hitting bumps, potholes, or uneven road surfaces at highway speeds. The violent shaking can last until vehicle speed drops below 15-35 mph and renders steering control difficult or impossible. Owners report the truck shaking so hard it feels like all tires blew simultaneously or that they'll lose control entirely.
When: Typically at 50-70+ mph when hitting bumps or rough road sections; can occur as early as 3,500-26,400 miles but also reported at 58,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent, uncontrollable oscillation of front end and steering wheel; Shaking persists until vehicle speed drops significantly; Loss of steering control or difficulty controlling vehicle; Steering wheel shakes so hard occupants cannot maintain grip; Vehicle veers between lanes despite driver input; Shaking triggered specifically by bumps, potholes, ridge lines, or uneven pavement
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing ball joints, track bar, tie rods, steering damper, shocks, hub assembly, and alignment work with costs ranging $1,100-$2,751. One dealer stated problem cannot be 100% fixed and will always return. Multiple repair attempts often unsuccessful; problem recurs within 2,000 miles or persists despite extensive front-end replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers have been aware of this condition but offered no remedy in some cases. Some dealerships blamed driver technique, tire pressure, or normal operation. One service manager stated the problem could not be fully fixed.
Steering Wander and Play - Excessive Looseness
Steering wheel has excessive play and the vehicle wanders across lanes as if driver is operating impaired. Steering response is sluggish, requiring constant small corrections. In slow turns, steering wheel can be turned up to half a turn before tires respond. When correction is finally needed, over-correction results, causing vehicle to swing too far the other way.
When: Present at 38,000-44,000 miles and throughout vehicle ownership; worsens with towing
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive play in steering wheel (up to 6 inches reported); Truck wanders across lanes as if driver is impaired; Half-turn of wheel produces no tire response at slow speeds; Delayed steering response requiring quick correction that causes over-steering; Tires wearing on sides; Instability worse when accelerating or on uneven/bumpy roads; Instability multiplied when towing trailer
Repairs/costs cited: Drag links replaced with Moog greasables; steering gear box replaced (did not resolve); upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, and entire steering linkage replaced without success. Alignments performed multiple times without resolving problem.
Steering Gear/Box Failure - Leaks and Noise
Steering box leaks oil repeatedly even after seal replacement. Abnormal clunking or knocking sounds come from steering wheel or steering column area. One case involved pinion seal failure requiring multiple replacements.
When: At 42,000 miles and earlier; can recur after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from steering system while parked; Abnormal noise from steering wheel; Clunking sound from steering damper area; Metal-to-metal contact sounds
Repairs/costs cited: Steering seal replaced; failure recurred. Steering box replaced on one occasion, pinion seal replaced on separate occasion. Both repairs were followed by problem recurrence.
Steering Damper Clunking - Lug Contact Failure
Steering damper connecting steering wheel shaft to steering box develops metal-to-metal contact between damper lugs and slot ends, creating clunking noise during operation. Owners report this is widespread among 2013 RAM 2500s and poses risk of loss of steering.
When: At 50,000 miles; appears common across model year
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise while driving; Metal-to-metal contact audible; Lugs striking slot ends
Repairs/costs cited: Steering damper replacement needed. Not covered under warranty per owner report; dealer instead replaced ball joints.
Track Bar Mount Weld Cracking - Structural Failure
Welds on track bar mounts crack, causing uncontrollable shaking at highway speeds. Owner notes FCA recall R46 addresses this exact problem but their truck falls within model and year range yet is not covered by recall.
When: Identified at highway speeds; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Violent, uncontrollable shaking at highway speed; Cracked welds visible on track bar mount
Repairs/costs cited: Repair needed but not specified; owner seeking recall coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA recall R46 exists for this problem but does not cover owner's truck despite falling within affected model and years.
Steering Arm Breakage - Complete Loss of Steering
Steering arm broke during normal driving, causing complete loss of steering control. Vehicle veered right and struck fixed objects. No accident preceded failure.
When: At unspecified mileage during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of steering control; Vehicle veered right uncontrollably; Steering arm visibly broken
Repairs/costs cited: Auto body shop confirmed steering arm was broken and caused loss of control.
Water Pump Failure Causing Loss of Power Steering and Brakes
Water pump shaft snapped off at 40,000 miles, severing serpentine belt and disabling power steering pump and hydraulic brake system simultaneously. Steering became extremely tight and brakes were nearly non-functional at 75 mph, creating emergency situation with no warning.
When: 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering became extremely tight; Loss of brake pressure; Engine overheating rapidly; Water pump shaft snapped off
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump failed; shaft snapped. Owner notes recall exists for water pump but does not mention shaft snapping failure mode.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for water pump but does not address shaft snapping failure.
Steering Wheel Seizing - Intermittent Lock
Steering wheel seized without warning at low speed, preventing steering input. Failure was intermittent.
When: 15,997 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seized without warning; Failure intermittent
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired per complaint.
Right-Side Pull and Caster Alignment Issue
Truck pulls to the right since new. Multiple alignment specialists confirm front left caster is out of Chrysler specification and non-adjustable due to solid front axle design on 4x4 models. Owner pulled over twice by law enforcement for swerving. Perceives collision risk with cyclists and pedestrians.
When: Since day of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Truck pulls to right; Front left caster out of spec; Dangerous swerving behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Non-adjustable design flaw on solid front axle; cannot be corrected.
Ball Joint and Tie Rod Premature Wear
All four ball joints and tie rods require replacement at 44,400 miles on low-mileage vehicle. Owner reports never having ball joint or tie rod issues on prior vehicles with over 175,000 miles. Warranty expired at 35,000 miles.
When: 44,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Ball joint wear; Tie rod wear
Repairs/costs cited: All four ball joints and tie rods replaced; cost slightly over $1,300. Warranty expired at 35,000 miles so owner bears cost.
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Steering became extremely loose. It became so loose that if I hit a bump I would end up in the next lane of traffic. The upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, and the entire steering linkage were replaced and the problem didnt get better. I had nearly 6 inches of play in the steering wheel. I'd appreciate if something was done for this so no more people have to go through this headache or…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 RAM 2500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2013 RAM 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 31 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 22,500 and 47,500 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 22,500; a quarter make it past 47,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/RAM/2500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.