I am writing to formally demand that Stellantis replace the drag link assembly on my 2017 Ram 2500 at no cost to me. The welding performed during Safety Recall V06 in 2019 has rendered my vehicle unable to receive proper wheel alignment, creating an ongoing safety issue and causing premature tire wear. Background In 2019, my vehicle was brought to dealer to have Safety Recall V06 performed. The…
2017 RAM 2500 steering problems
severe 49 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
49
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 49 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.
Among the 9 model years of RAM 2500 in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Ram 2500 steering system presents a profound issue rooted in Recall V06 (NHTSA 19V-021), which addresses loose jam nuts on the drag link adjuster sleeve. FCA's approved fix was to weld the nuts in place—a decision owners universally condemn as a band-aid that created worse problems.
The core complaint: once welded, the drag link cannot be adjusted for future wheel alignments. Owners report vehicles pulling heavily to the right or developing severe misalignment post-recall. Alignment shops refuse to cut and reweld the steering component due to liability concerns. Dealers either decline or charge owners $250–$2,000 to remove the weld, realign, and reweld. This cycling of heat and metal removal degrades structural integrity with each iteration.
Multiple owners cite Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation § 393.209(d), which explicitly prohibits welded repairs to steering linkage joints. Owners who tow report the welded recall repair renders their trucks illegal for commercial use.
Separate from the recall, owners describe catastrophic steering failures—track bar bearings sheering at 57,000 miles, power steering loss at highway speed, and violent "death wobble" oscillations. Some vehicles pull hard to the right from delivery and never align correctly regardless of shop attempts. ABS and traction control modules fail, and a handful report steering wheel controls or horn failures tied to clock spring deterioration.
The overarching frustration: FCA released an improved, adjustable drag link but refuses to provide it as a recall replacement, citing window closure or eligibility rules, forcing owners to absorb aftermarket parts costs or accept a steering component that cannot be properly maintained.
Same RAM 2500 steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Drag Link Jam Nut Looseness / Separation
Factory drag link jam nuts on the adjuster sleeve can loosen or separate, reducing steering control or creating play in the steering linkage.
When: Various mileages reported, from 10 miles to 98,000+ miles; recall V06 issued January 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Looseness or play in steering linkage; Steering wheel unresponsive or requires excessive input; Loss of steering control in corners or at highway speeds; Vehicle pulling to one side; Slop in steering requiring 1+ full wheel turn before engagement
Repairs/costs cited: Recall V06 / NHTSA 19V-021 calls for welding jam nuts to adjuster sleeve; owners report dealers charge $250+ to cut and reweld for alignment adjustments; some dealers cite liability concerns and refuse to remove welds
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall V06 / NHTSA 19V-021 issued; weld procedure approved by NHTSA; October 2023 TSB revision (RCRIT-19V021-0837) allows either permanent weld OR drag link replacement depending on alignment specification; FCA refuses full replacement under recall; parts availability delays noted; coverage window claimed expired on some vehicles
Inability to Perform Wheel Alignment After Recall Weld
The recall weld fix permanently locks the drag link adjuster sleeve, making toe-in/toe-out adjustment impossible without cutting and re-welding. This prevents proper alignment and exacerbates uneven tire wear and handling issues.
When: Post-recall (2019 onward); discovered during routine alignment or tire replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls strongly to right or left despite new tires; Uneven tire wear occurring prematurely (before 30,000–45,000 miles); Wheel alignment cannot be completed within specification; Caster adjustment not possible; Steering wheel not centered; steering wheel inverted/upside down
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment shops refuse to cut and reweld due to liability; estimated cost to grind, align, and reweld is ~$250–$2,000 depending on scope; repeated weld cycles degrade metal integrity; non-OEM drag link replacements available aftermarket (e.g., Synergy) at owner expense
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall states alignment can be performed at dealer; in practice, dealers decline to remove welds citing liability; October 2023 TSB allows replacement if alignment is out of spec, but owners report dealers and FCA deny replacement; no OEM adjustable drag link replacement offered under recall on older vehicles
Track Bar / Trackbar Bushing Failure
Track bar or its bushings fail prematurely, creating lateral movement and play in the front axle. One owner reported the track bar bearing completely sheared after ~57,000 miles.
When: As early as 3 years / 57,000 miles; also 45,000 miles for bushing wear
Symptoms owners cite: Track bar moves 4–6 inches before wheels respond; Loud popping sound during turns or highway driving; Severe steering slop; steering wheel movement does not translate to wheel movement; Truck 'dances' or rocks when shaking steering wheel while parked; Front end shaking when turning; noise both at speed and when stationary
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported bearing completely sheared on front passenger side; owners indicate replacement is required, not adjustment
Vehicle Pulling to Right (Unrelated to Alignment)
New and used vehicles exhibit persistent right-side pull that dealers cannot correct via alignment, despite multiple attempts at different shops. Some cases attributed to caster adjustment or ball joint issues.
When: Some vehicles pull from delivery (purchased new October 2017); persists across multiple wheel alignments
Symptoms owners cite: Strong pull to right, especially at highway speeds; Pull persists after alignment by dealer and independent shops; Problem noted as common on RAM forum; Overcorrection needed while towing
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report no known solution available; independent mechanics suggest caster adjustment or ball joint replacement; aftermarket ball joint upgrade mentioned as potential solution but not factory recall item
Power Steering Loss / Steering Lockup
Steering wheel loses responsiveness, becomes difficult to turn, or locks up suddenly, sometimes at highway speed with no warning. One case involved total power loss alongside brake power loss.
When: Various speeds (35–70 mph); as early as 10 miles; one case at 71,000 miles post-recall
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seizes without warning; Steering wheel unresponsive; difficult to turn; Vehicle swerves hard left or right upon failure; Power steering fluid loss (one case: hole in hose, drained fluid); Simultaneous loss of power steering and power brakes (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering hose failure (hole found) repaired by dealer; most cases not diagnosed or repaired; one owner attempted restart to regain control
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated recall was already completed and referred owner to dealer; no further action documented in narratives
Death Wobble
Violent oscillation of the front end and steering wheel occurs during highway driving, making the vehicle difficult to control.
When: Speeds between 40–75 mph; not consistently triggered by bumps
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden violent 'death wobble' oscillation; Loss of vehicle control during oscillation
Steering Wheel / Shifter Controls Clock Spring Failure
Clock spring inside steering column fails, disabling horn and steering wheel control functions, and potentially affecting airbag operation.
When: 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Horn non-functional; Steering wheel left-side control buttons non-functional; Potential airbag function compromise
ABS / Traction Control Module Failure
ABS and traction control systems malfunction, with warning lamps cycling on/off or staying illuminated. One case resulted in loss of braking control during winter weather.
When: Various mileages; one case at 84,250 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service ABS light and service traction control light flashing continuously; ABS light comes on during snow/ice conditions; Traction control light comes on unexpectedly; Vehicle unable to achieve controlled stop in winter conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quotes astronomically high module replacement cost; one case involved HCU (Hydraulic Control Unit) failure; repair availability limited
Synthesized from 49 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2017 RAM 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 49 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 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 30,000 and 71,000 miles, with the median around 53,304. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 71,000. 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/2017/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.