When driving down road constantly make adjustments to right and or steering wheel being held to or around 1 or 2 o'clock position just to go straight. When steering to left steering wheel is tighter then when steering to right. Steering box needs replaced and or rebuilt. Truck only has alittle over 60000 miles on it. Constantly chasing steering when driving down road. City streets and left lane…
2016 RAM 3500 steering problems
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 28 steering complaints filed for the 2016 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
Owners have filed 28 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.
Steering accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2016 Ram 3500 owners report jam nuts loosening on the drag link, triggering a recall remedy that welds the nut in place—preventing future alignment without expensive dealer-only removal and re-welding. Some owners describe steering failure at highway speeds and persistent alignment issues despite the recall repair; a better replacement part exists but RAM has been slow to supply it.
The 2016 Ram 3500 shows a pattern of drag link and steering linkage failures, aggravated by a problematic recall remedy. Owners report jam nuts on the drag link adjuster backing off or coming loose entirely—some noticed them backed off a quarter-inch or more before the recall notice arrived. When the recall (NHTSA 19V-021) went into effect, RAM dealers implemented a fix of welding the jam nut to the adjuster sleeve, which owners and independent shops say creates cascading problems.
The weld remedy renders the steering system non-adjustable. Owners say they cannot get front-end alignments without removing the weld—requiring grinding, re-adjusting, and re-welding. Multiple shops refused alignment work because of the welded components. A 30-year welder noted that without knowing the base metal type and filler material, the weld can fail, and the heat-affected zone becomes a structural weak point on a critical steering part.
Some owners report the recall remedy failed to fix underlying issues. One owner had excessive tire wear and steering pull that persisted even after the welded repair. Others describe loss of control at highway speeds, death wobble with trailers, and steering becoming unresponsive or drifting left and right despite the repair. A new, improved drag link design (CSZHV061AA) exists but RAM has been reluctant to swap parts.
RAM has delayed parts availability for the recall—dealers told customers to wait weeks or months for replacement parts that supposedly had become available.
Same RAM 3500 steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Drag Link Jam Nut Loosening
Jam nuts on the drag link adjuster backing off the threads, causing potential steering linkage failure.
When: Various mileages from ~60,000 to 149,000 miles; one owner discovered loosening after receiving recall notice
Symptoms owners cite: Jam nut backed off approximately 1/4 inch; Jam nut completely loose; Loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers tightened nut and welded it to the sleeve under recall 19V-021. Aftermarket rebuild available (~$800 including shipping from Red Head company).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V-021 / V06 (Steering) — remedy is welding jam nut to adjuster sleeve; owners report new improved drag link design CSZHV061AA exists but RAM reluctant to supply; parts availability delays
Steering Loss of Control
Sudden or progressive loss of steering control at highway speeds, including high-speed loss while towing.
When: ~70 MPH highway speeds; one incident while pulling 35-foot horse trailer; one freeway collision incident
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel unresponsive; Unable to maneuver vehicle; Vehicle drifts left and right at highway speeds; Loss of control requiring driver intervention (steering wheel strapped in place by owner in one case); Collision with other vehicle and median wall
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's steering rack was replaced twice and failure persisted; repairs occurred at dealers and independent shops.
Death Wobble / Severe Vibration
Violent shaking, vibration, thumping, and loss of control, particularly when towing heavy loads.
When: While towing 26,000+ lb trailer on interstate; four incidents within 18 months reported by one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Major vibration and shaking; Thumping sound in truck; Worsens with acceleration; Loss of control in turns; Vehicle bounces off curb and over obstacles
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced front track bar, right front wheel bearing pack, and front suspension stabilizer shock without fully resolving; another spent ~$2,300 on repairs after jam nut was found completely loose.
Steering Rack Fracture
Steering rack developed a fracture, rendering the vehicle unable to maneuver.
When: Approximately 275,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering rack fractured; Unable to maneuver vehicle; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replaced by dealer and then by independent shop; failure persisted after both repairs; cause unknown.
Steering Box Wear / Excessive Play
Steering feels loose and unresponsive, requiring constant wheel corrections to maintain straight-line travel.
When: ~60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Constant adjustments to right and/or left steering required to go straight; Steering wheel held at 1 or 2 o'clock position to drive straight; Tighter resistance when turning left than right; Constantly chasing steering; Very noticeable on city streets and highway left lane
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment shop found alignment dead-on; steering box rebuild/upgrade available from aftermarket (Red Head company) for ~$800 plus shipping. Owners report thousands having same issue online with no OEM recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer denies problem; no recall issued despite owner reports of widespread issue on RAM 2500/3500 models
Excessive Tire Wear and Alignment Issues
Premature tire wear and inability to maintain proper alignment after recall repair due to welded steering components.
When: Observed between 1,800 and 78,000 miles; some cases after recall repair performed
Symptoms owners cite: Outer tire wear; Premature tire wear on passenger side; Tires get hot and over-inflate; Unable to perform alignment due to welded jam nut; Steering wheel not completely straight
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment shop said alignment could not be performed because of welding from recall repair; tire shop unable to perform alignment; one dealer determined drag link assembly replacement needed to perform alignment but awaiting manufacturer authorization; shop mechanics report front-end design problem introduced in 2016 (redesigned in 2017 model), no fix available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V-021 remedy creates non-adjustable steering; RAM states welding was NHTSA-approved fix; dealers tell customers removal of weld requires grinding and re-welding, locking owners into dealer-only service
Drag Link Threads Stripped / Coupler Nut Failure
Threads stripped out in the coupler nut, resulting in total loss of steering without warning.
When: Failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Drag link failed without warning; Total steering loss
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19v021000 (steering). The contact took the vehicle to johnson Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (481 us-46, budd lake, nj 07828, (908) 850-8700) and was informed that they would be taking an adjustable part of the vehicle and making it non-adjustable. The contact expressed concerns regarding future repairs…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that upon inspection, the tires showed excessive wear. The contact stated that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (STEERING); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.…
I applaud your work in holding automakers accountable and responsible for fixing vehicle safety issues. However, my vehicle was recalled for v06/NHTSA 19v-021 (steering system recall). Rather that providing new parts for the defective parts, Ram states that NHTSA has approved welding the steering jam nuts to the adjuster. The dealer submitted a star case (#101582875) to have repair parts…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 RAM 3500?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 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 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 30,000 and 78,000 miles, with the median around 59,650. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 78,000. 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/2016/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.