The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V541000 (Steering); the contact stated that after the repair while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the track bar was recently replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that…
2013 RAM 3500 steering problems
severe 37 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 37 steering complaints filed for the 2013 RAM 3500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Steering accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 37 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 RAM 3500 steering system exhibits multiple critical failure modes that dealers and FCA struggle to fix. Death wobble—violent steering wheel and front-end shaking triggered by hitting bumps at highway speeds—is the dominant complaint. Owners report shaking so severe they lose steering control and must slow below 30 mph; it occurs randomly, sometimes 5+ times over two months, yet dealers often cannot replicate it or claim nothing is wrong.
Track bar frame bracket welds separate from the frame, causing the bar to dangle and steering control to vanish suddenly. FCA issued recall 15V-541, but one owner's repair was denied due to an aftermarket lift kit, leaving an unsafe vehicle.
The drag link nut welding "repair" under recall 19V-021 proves temporary—nuts come loose, trucks cannot be properly aligned, and death wobble resumes. Owners report dealers unwilling to cut the welds or provide real fixes. Tie rod ends shear at the adjustment thread, and steering boxes fracture or lose seal integrity, all resulting in partial or complete steering loss. Repair attempts—replacing ball joints, control arms, bushings, and even steering boxes—frequently fail to stop the wobble. Recall parts have been unavailable since 2015, leaving vehicles parked at dealers for weeks. One owner's case was closed by Dodge despite the truck remaining unfixed.
Same RAM 3500 steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Track Bar Frame Bracket Weld Failure
Front suspension track bar mounting brackets are improperly welded and separate from the frame while driving. Owners report the track bar dangling after welds break, causing sudden violent shaking and near-complete loss of steering control at highway speeds.
When: Varied; one owner experienced it before recall repair, one at 119,175 miles; failures observed across multiple mileage ranges
Symptoms owners cite: Violent front-end shaking at highway speeds (50+ mph); Loss of steering control or near-complete loss; Track bar visibly separated/dangling from frame; Broken or separated welds at frame mounting points
Repairs/costs cited: FCA issued recall R46/NHTSA 15V-541 with instruction to replace track bar frame bracket; one owner's repair was denied due to aftermarket lift kit modification; dealers initially reported no repair procedure available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall R46/NHTSA 15V-541 issued October 2015; one owner's recall denied due to vehicle modification; FCA acknowledged different welding process used in 2015+ models
Death Wobble - Front Suspension/Steering
Steering wheel and front end vibrate or shake violently, usually triggered by hitting a bump or pothole at highway speeds (40-75 mph). Shaking is severe enough to reduce steering control; owners must slow to 10-30 mph for it to stop. Occurs randomly and intermittently, making it difficult to diagnose.
When: Between 17,000 and 149,000 miles; mostly at highway/interstate speeds; one owner had 6-7 episodes starting July 2014; another had 5 episodes in 2 months
Symptoms owners cite: Violent steering wheel and truck shaking at 40-75 mph; Triggered by bumps, potholes, or rough road surface; Loss or near-loss of steering control during episodes; Shaking stops when speed reduced below 25-30 mph; Intermittent/random occurrence; no warning lights; No replication during dealer test drives in some cases; One owner reported shaking subsided when truck loaded with equipment
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners report extensive parts replacement (upper/lower ball joints, control arms, bushings, upper control arms) without resolution; one owner states dealers found nothing loose or broken; dealer in one case refused to perform alignment until remedy finalized; one owner paid $1100 for steering box replacement with no fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls NHTSA 15V-541, 14V635000, 18E096000, and 19V-021 issued; one owner received interim repair under 18E096000 but issue persisted; manufacturers and dealers claim inability to replicate or diagnosis issue; one dealership accused owner of faking the problem; one owner's case closed by Dodge despite unresolved issue
Drag Link Nut Welding - Ineffective Recall Repair
During NHTSA recall V06/19V-021, alignment nuts on the drag link were welded as a 'fix.' Owners report the weld is temporary, nuts come loose again, drag link integrity is compromised, and the vehicle develops steering issues including death wobble after the welding repair.
When: Post-recall repair (dates 2015+); one owner reported weld failure requiring re-alignment 2 times; another had open claim for 2+ years
Symptoms owners cite: Welded nuts come loose after recall repair; Steering issues and death wobble following drag link weld repair; Vehicle cannot be properly aligned with drag link welded; Compromised drag link integrity indicated by independent shops
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple independent shops told owners that welding is temporary fix, not permanent; one owner faced $1500+ out-of-pocket to cut weld for proper repair; another owner's dealership refused to provide repair and sent owner home without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall V06/NHTSA 19V-021 issued; FCA/Dodge acknowledged issue in calls with owners but did not provide alternative remedy; one dealership declined to cut weld or offer further fix
Tie Rod End/Adjuster Tube Fatigue Failure
Tie rod end adjuster tubes (part 68369910AC) develop metal fatigue and shear at the threaded portion where the adjuster tube screws in. One owner discovered the failure during routine alignment when one side sheared off and the opposite side was cracked.
When: Failure imminent/discovered during routine alignment; one owner had part break during alignment service
Symptoms owners cite: Metal wall shearing at start of adjustment threads; Signs of metal fatigue at failure point; Part can break off with minimal force
Repairs/costs cited: Part 68369910AC (adjuster tube, socket, tie rod end) showed failure at threaded junction with adjuster tube; failure would have resulted in loss of vehicle control if vehicle had been in operation
Steering Box Failure
Steering box fails or fractures, causing loss of steering control or requiring replacement. One owner's steering box output shaft seal failed, causing rapid loss of fluid; another's steering box fractured and damaged tower shock assembly.
When: 25,000 to 86,500+ miles; one instance at under 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering locked or became difficult to control; Loss of steering control or excessive force needed to steer; Rapid loss of steering/brake fluid (seal failure); Fractured steering column/tower bracket
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $1100 for steering box replacement; dealer replaced box but not fractured tower bracket; replacement did not resolve death wobble in one case; one owner reported problem recurred within 100 miles of steering box replacement
Steering Coupling Slack
Steering coupling under dash develops slack, causing loose steering feel with significant play in the steering wheel. Owner reports steering wheel has half-inch or more of free play.
When: At 113,609 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loose steering wheel with half-inch or more free play; Constant need to adjust steering wheel to keep vehicle straight on open road; Loose steering in city and highway driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler Corp stated not a problem
Steering Linkage Fracture
Steering linkage fractured while vehicle in operation, causing loss of steering control. One owner's right tie rod broke at tube end near adjuster clamp; another's steering linkage fractured mid-drive and had to be slowly driven home.
When: Less than 3,000 miles in one case; 149,000+ miles in another; one instance discovered post-recall
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of steering control; Steering wheel loose or unresponsive; Right tie rod separated at tube end near adjuster
Repairs/costs cited: Right tie rod broke near total toe adjuster clamp; one owner's tie rod end previously recalled, broke at adjustment sleeve
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner's recalled tie rod end broke again
Recall Parts Unavailability
FCA unable or unwilling to supply parts for multiple steering/suspension recalls, leaving vehicles unrepaired for extended periods. Dealers report parts not available and unable to provide timeline for repair.
When: October 2015 through at least 2019+
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicles left unrepaired at dealership for weeks/months; Dealers unable to provide remedy or parts
Repairs/costs cited: One truck sat untouched at dealer for nearly a month; another left at dealer for 9 days with dealership stating recall parts unavailable; owners placed on waiting lists with no known repair timeline
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 15V-541, 14V635000, 19V-021, 18E096000 issued; FCA stated parts unavailable and no remedy procedure established in some cases; one dealership performed only interim repair
Synthesized from 37 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
Starting in july 2014 my 2013 Ram 3500 has had death wobble at least 6-7 times. Going down interstate around 65-75 MPH if the right tire hits a pot hole the front end starts to shake uncontrollably. In order to get the truck to stop I have to come down on the brakes very hard almost to a complete stop. This is very dangerous not know when it can happen and a semi truck is right behind you. *tr
I received in late october 2015 a letter from fca (Fiat Chrysler automobiles) regarding safety recall r46/NHTSA 15v-541, which states 2013 Ram 3500 trucks may have an improperly welded front suspension track bar frame bracket, which could separate while driving, causing a hazardous situation including loss of steering control. Before I went to the dealer to have this remedied, I experienced an…
The vehicle was taken in for a front end alignment. When the technician loosened the tube retaining clamp to adjust the outer tie rod, one side of the threaded portion of the adjuster tube, socket, tie rod end (68369910ac) fell on the ground. The metal wall sheared at the start of the adjustment threads and showed signs of metal fatigue. The opposite side was fully cracked in the same location…
Had been noticing a shimmy in the front suspension area. The steering wheel would have a very slight vibration after hitting bumps in the road when driving 35mph or greater. This issue has continued for months with several visit to dealership who has been unable to properly identify the problem. The problem has now become a "death wobble" that will shake steering wheel violently and almost shake…
I have been having problems with a recall issued by NHTSA. The recall was v06 drag link. When the recall wa preformed, the alignment nuts on the drag link were welded so the couldn't come loose. I've had to have my truck realigned 2 times since the drag link nuts were welded. As of right now the nuts are not welded and the integrity of the drag link is compromised. I've had it into 3 different…
Steering box output shaft seal failure causing rapid loss of fluid and loss of braking capacity and steering capacity. Vehicle was still able to stop but the foot pressure and arm strength required to maintain control of the vehicle is massive. *tr
Steering cupling under dash has slack making steering loose and alternator problems truck only has 113609 miles Chrysler corp says it's not a problem and more recalls are showing on it driving on open road constantly working steering wheel to keep in straight line on the road city driving is as bad sitting still it has about half inch or more loose play in steering
I was wanting to know why the Ram 2013 and the 2014 are not on the buy back program. Due to manufacture recall r46, NHTSA recall 15v-541? I took my truck in to have all the other recalls fixed on it but they told me they could not fix this due to there were no parts available and that we would be put on a waiting list and did not know when the fix was going to be available. So do we just keep…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 RAM 3500?
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 3500?
It's a meaningful issue. 37 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 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 24,700 and 86,500 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,700; a quarter make it past 86,500. 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/3500.
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.