The 2016 RAM 2500 has a well-documented drag link jam nut looseness affecting steering alignment and control. Owners report the jam nuts work loose repeatedly, causing the steering wheel to sit off-center (typically cocked to the 10 or 11 o'clock position), loose steering feel, and play in the linkage. Some vehicles exhibit this issue as early as 5,000 miles; others at higher mileage after alignment service. Even after tightening or alignment, the problem recurs within 6–9 months.
NHTSA recalls 19V021000 and 18E096000 mandate dealerships weld the jam nuts to the adjuster sleeve as a permanent fix. Owners report this creates a secondary problem: the welded nuts prevent future alignment adjustments. When owners attempt to get their vehicle aligned after the recall repair, tire shops refuse the work citing liability on welded steering components. Dealerships then demand $700–$1,100 to replace the entire drag link assembly just to restore alignment capability.
Owners also report continued steering pull and instability even after the recall repair, requiring repeated alignments. One documented case involved complete steering failure—an axle bolt sheared during a turn while towing—on components welded during the recall repair. Another owner noted that FCA equipped 2019 and newer models with an updated drag link design that doesn't require welding, yet refused to retrofit the affected 2016 vehicles.
Dealers across multiple states have declined to perform recall work, cited difficulty sourcing parts, or claim the issue is "normal" for the vehicle.
Failure modes owners describe
Drag link jam nut looseness and separation
Jam nuts on the drag link adjuster sleeve work loose, causing play in the steering linkage and inability to maintain proper steering wheel centering. This occurs despite prior tightening or alignment work.
When: Typically appears within 6–9 months after alignment, or recurs multiple times during ownership; reported at mileage ranging from 5,000 to 131,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel off-center (11 o'clock or 10 o'clock position); Play or wobbling in steering linkage; Loose feel in steering column; Jam nuts repeatedly loosening
Repairs/costs cited: NHTSA recalls 19V021000 and 18E096000 call for dealers to weld jam nuts to the adjuster sleeve as a permanent fix. Owners report this prevents future alignment adjustments and renders the steering non-adjustable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recalls 19V021000 (Drag Link) and 18E096000 (Steering). FCA's remedy: weld jam nuts to adjuster sleeve. Some owners report FCA later introduced an updated drag link assembly for newer model years (2019+) but refused to retrofit older vehicles (2016). Dealerships cite the welded weld as preventing alignment.
Welded drag link preventing alignment and future adjustment
The recall fix of welding jam nuts to the drag link adjuster sleeve permanently prevents future alignment adjustments. Repair shops refuse to work on welded steering linkage due to liability. Breaking the weld and re-welding for alignment causes metal fatigue and repeated weakening of the component.
When: Immediately after recall repair completion; becomes apparent when owners attempt subsequent alignments or suspension service.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel off-center after recall repair; Unable to adjust steering wheel position during alignments; Tie rods welded together (misunderstanding of the weld location by some dealers); Repair shops refusing to service welded steering components; Metal fracture of welded nut after stress
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealerships demanding $700–$1,100 to replace the entire drag link assembly in order to perform alignment. Some owners purchased aftermarket drag links and installed them themselves. One owner reported the welded nut fractured at 62,917 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA approved recalls 19V021000 and 18E096000 specify welding the jam nuts as the repair. FCA declined to provide replacement drag link assemblies for affected 2016 models, citing the weld as an acceptable permanent fix. Owners note FCA's 2019 models came equipped with an updated, non-welded drag link design from the factory.
Steering pulling and instability even after recall repair
After the recall welding repair, owners report persistent steering pull to one side, requiring repeated alignments. Vehicles pull left or right unpredictably, especially at highway speeds or under load, necessitating constant driver correction.
When: Begins shortly after recall repair; one case reported at 5 mph; continues throughout ownership even with frequent realignments.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls right or left without warning; Severe vibration or wobble at highway speeds; Sudden steering veer during turns or braking; Steering shifts between left and right pull; Vehicle drifts diagonally rather than straight; Constant adjustment needed to drive straight
Repairs/costs cited: Left front tire toe goes out of alignment every 6–9 months, requiring repeated alignments. One owner reports an alignment cost of $500+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim steering is within manufacturer specification. Multiple dealerships have declined to provide a remedy, attributing the behavior to 'normal' for the vehicle.
Loose inner tie rod lock nut
Inner tie rod lock nuts become loose, causing a knocking or clunking sound from the front end and loose steering feel. This issue recurs even after tightening and alignment.
When: First reported at 23,358 miles; recurred at 26,498 miles within months; checked again at 28,224 miles and found tight.
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking or clunking from front end; Loose steering feel
Repairs/costs cited: Loose left inner tie rod lock nut was inspected, repaired, and aligned. Initial repair was charged to owner, later credited. Recurred within months.
Complete steering failure during operation
In one documented case, steering completely malfunctioned mid-turn, causing the vehicle to veer uncontrollably. An axle bolt sheared off on components that had been welded as part of the recall repair.
When: At 46,000 miles, during a left turn while towing a cargo trailer at 45 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering completely malfunctioned; Vehicle veered to the right without driver input; Loss of vehicle control while towing
Repairs/costs cited: Axle bolt sheered off. Vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified. The exact cause of the bolt shear was not determined, but it occurred on components welded as part of recall repair 19V021000.
Steering wheel unresponsive due to floor mat interference
In one case, the steering wheel failed to move because a floor mat was stuck on the steering shaft knuckle.
When: At 131,000 miles while driving 40 mph down a mountain.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel failed to move
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was taken to a dealership but was not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure.
Steering malfunction with engine shutdown
Engine shuts off without warning while driving at low speed (15–20 mph), causing loss of steering control. Oil pressure gauge drops to zero and RPM drops to zero while other electrical systems remain functional.
When: Occurred four times during ownership; three incidents in succession.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shutdown at 15–20 mph; Loss of steering control; Oil pressure gauge drops to zero; RPM drops to zero; No warning lights; Other electrical systems unaffected
Repairs/costs cited: Owner spent two days at dealership; technicians could not find anything wrong. Owner documented one incident on video and returned vehicle for additional diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler Dodge was made aware but did not contact owner or return phone calls within two weeks.
Power steering fluid leak from brake booster system
Power steering fluid leaks from the brake booster system, where the brake and power steering systems share common passages. This results in reduced braking effectiveness and slow braking action.
When: Brake system issue ongoing for approximately one year; power steering leak at booster for approximately two months at time of report.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pulsing back during braking application; Slower braking action; Power steering fluid leak from brake booster
Repairs/costs cited: Owner has been investing in fluid top-ups. Low-pressure power steering hose is leaking and replacement parts are unavailable.
Synthesized from 42 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.