Ram 1500 steering vibration/grinding noise

[johnjoseph131965]

Looking for some advice/ideas. I have a 2018 Ram 1500, 3.6 vvt, 15k miles... I have experienced an intermittent problem with the steering. The wheel vibrates/shudders when turning at low speeds, i can feel ‘drag’ in the wheel while driving, but not the noticeable vibration. Seems to start to occur when I have backed up and turned the wheel?? There is also a grinding noise that accompanies the vibration, which to me sounds like gears clashing... The problem has popped up two or three times and the just goes away... At first I thought that it was stuck in 4wd for some reason, as the steering has the same feel as being in 4w low, but that is not the case....
Anyone with similar problems or ideas of a possible cause?? The truck has no hard driving, mostly highway miles..... Any help appreciated!

 

[abouttobeglue]

I'd take it to the dealer. My 05 dakota 4wd developed an issue where the transfer case motor was malfunctioning and it would randomly go in 4lo after I parked. Ended up taking the fuse out for the transfer case and it didn't happen again.

 

[huntergreen]

Looking for some advice/ideas. I have a 2018 Ram 1500, 3.6 vvt, 15k miles... I have experienced an intermittent problem with the steering. The wheel vibrates/shudders when turning at low speeds, i can feel ‘drag’ in the wheel while driving, but not the noticeable vibration. Seems to start to occur when I have backed up and turned the wheel?? There is also a grinding noise that accompanies the vibration, which to me sounds like gears clashing... The problem has popped up two or three times and the just goes away... At first I thought that it was stuck in 4wd for some reason, as the steering has the same feel as being in 4w low, but that is not the case....
Anyone with similar problems or ideas of a possible cause?? The truck has no hard driving, mostly highway miles..... Any help appreciated!

Don't mess with it, use your warranty.

 

[Rado]

I agree take it to the dealer and let your warranty fix it ! BUT PLEASE UPDATE us on what you find !! Thanks and WELCOME to the group

 

[RamCares]

Looking for some advice/ideas. I have a 2018 Ram 1500, 3.6 vvt, 15k miles... I have experienced an intermittent problem with the steering. The wheel vibrates/shudders when turning at low speeds, i can feel ‘drag’ in the wheel while driving, but not the noticeable vibration. Seems to start to occur when I have backed up and turned the wheel?? There is also a grinding noise that accompanies the vibration, which to me sounds like gears clashing... The problem has popped up two or three times and the just goes away... At first I thought that it was stuck in 4wd for some reason, as the steering has the same feel as being in 4w low, but that is not the case....
Anyone with similar problems or ideas of a possible cause?? The truck has no hard driving, mostly highway miles..... Any help appreciated!

Hi johnjoseph131965,

Sorry to hear you are experiencing this with your truck, I understand why it would be concerning. I recommend connecting with your dealer for a diagnosis if you haven’t done so already as they are in the best position to assist.

Please let us know via private message if you decide to have your dealer look into this. We would like to have this documented and have a case escalated in your behalf so a Case Specialist can work with your dealer to help find a potential solution.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[HemiJames]

Mine has started doing the same thing, only mine is a 2WD. It went to the shop 2 weeks ago found a leaking pinion seal, and right rear brake caliper was locked up. They fixed both issues and couldn't reproduce the grinding/ vibration when turning from a dead stop. Luckily for me I could on the way home. So I called them back to let them know its not fixed, gonna take it in on Wednesday and have a tech ride with me so they can feel/hear it. My Ram is a 2015 Big Horn CC 2WD with 29,000 miles

 

[RamCares]

Mine has started doing the same thing, only mine is a 2WD. It went to the shop 2 weeks ago found a leaking pinion seal, and right rear brake caliper was locked up. They fixed both issues and couldn't reproduce the grinding/ vibration when turning from a dead stop. Luckily for me I could on the way home. So I called them back to let them know its not fixed, gonna take it in on Wednesday and have a tech ride with me so they can feel/hear it. My Ram is a 2015 Big Horn CC 2WD with 29,000 miles

Hi HemiJames,

Please keep us updated on your dealer visit tomorrow. If we can be of any assistance, we’d be happy to help. We’re just a PM away.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[HemiJames]

Hi HemiJames,

Please keep us updated on your dealer visit tomorrow. If we can be of any assistance, we’d be happy to help. We’re just a PM away.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

Just heard back from the dealership they checked out the entire frontend said the hubs, ball joints,tie rod ends,suspension,and steering components were all good and that they have given up on the problem and it will have to get worse before they can accurately diagnose the problem. I asked if it could be in the differential being the problem only exists when turning but he said that the differential isn't making noise when going down the road. Even though I had a rear brake locked up and leaking pinion seal. Let's hope whatever it is doesn't decide to fail when going 75 mph down the interstate.

 

[RamCares]

Just heard back from the dealership they checked out the entire frontend said the hubs, ball joints,tie rod ends,suspension,and steering components were all good and that they have given up on the problem and it will have to get worse before they can accurately diagnose the problem. I asked if it could be in the differential being the problem only exists when turning but he said that the differential isn't making noise when going down the road. Even though I had a rear brake locked up and leaking pinion seal. Let's hope whatever it is doesn't decide to fail when going 75 mph down the interstate.

Hi HemiJames,

Sorry to hear your dealer was not able to identify your concern. If this does get worse and you decide to address it with your dealer again, please send us a private message. We would like to have this documented and escalate a case on your behalf so a case specialist can work alongside your dealer to find a potential solution.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[HemiJames]

I shouldn't really have to wait until a problem gets worse, that's why I spent 42,000 dollars on a new truck and another 3,000 dollars on an extended warranty. I feel the problem exists in the differential and even told the dealer that the way he wrote it down was wrong and would lead the technician to believe it is a steering issue not a problem exists when turning issue. It would have taken 20 minutes to pop the diff cover off and inspect the differential. I appreciate your reply RAM CARES and will let you know the out come.

 

[RamCares]

I shouldn't really have to wait until a problem gets worse, that's why I spent 42,000 dollars on a new truck and another 3,000 dollars on an extended warranty. I feel the problem exists in the differential and even told the dealer that the way he wrote it down was wrong and would lead the technician to believe it is a steering issue not a problem exists when turning issue. It would have taken 20 minutes to pop the diff cover off and inspect the differential. I appreciate your reply RAM CARES and will let you know the out come.

Hi HemiJames,

Thank you for the follow up, your sentiments expressed here are completely understandable. If you'd be interested in getting a second opinion from a different dealer as opposed to waiting until the concern gets worse, I would be more than happy to escalate a case on your behalf and connect you with a case specialist for an additional layer of assistance during that process. If you are not familiar with any additional dealers in your area, you can visit https://www.ramtrucks.com/find-dealer.html and enter your ZIP code to find additional dealers near you. If you see any dealerships that have received a Customer First award this means that this dealer has achieved the highest level of customer experience recognition in five core areas: people, facility, processes, customer metrics and training certification.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[HemiJames]

Hi HemiJames,

Thank you for the follow up, your sentiments expressed here are completely understandable. If you'd be interested in getting a second opinion from a different dealer as opposed to waiting until the concern gets worse, I would be more than happy to escalate a case on your behalf and connect you with a case specialist for an additional layer of assistance during that process. If you are not familiar with any additional dealers in your area, you can visit https://www.ramtrucks.com/find-dealer.html and enter your ZIP code to find additional dealers near you. If you see any dealerships that have received a Customer First award this means that this dealer has achieved the highest level of customer experience recognition in five core areas: people, facility, processes, customer metrics and training certification.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

Ram Cares thanks for the reply, If I choose another dealer will I have to pay my deductible again, and do all dealers offer a loan a car service? I feel I am using the most competent service department already, and I get that they cannot just go replacing parts trying to guess at it, but it would put my mind at ease if they would have opened the differential cover to inspect the gears check for shaving etc, but a fluid change costs money they might not get reimbursed for? To me that is the next logical place to look especially since the pinion seal was leaking and the right rear brake was locked up. Its very unnerving knowing that the truck could fail at any moment especially since I live in an area affected by hurricanes, I don't want to be stranded during an evacuation or another critical event or emergency.

 

[69GWC]

Mine does sonething similar to yours, kinda a vibration in the wheel at slow turns but not all the time.
Took it in to Olathe Dodge/Ram (in Kansas) jeep and they blamed it on my tires even though it did it with the stock tires, pretty sure they could give too ***** about the customers after they buy.
They also did 4 recalls on my truck and I told them about 5 times I only wanted 3 of them done and not to do the 4th one, they straight lied to my face and did all 4 anyway.
Was going to buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee but if this is how FCA takes care of there customers I dont want any... Looking at a 4 Runner now.

 

[RamCares]

Ram Cares thanks for the reply, If I choose another dealer will I have to pay my deductible again, and do all dealers offer a loan a car service? I feel I am using the most competent service department already, and I get that they cannot just go replacing parts trying to guess at it, but it would put my mind at ease if they would have opened the differential cover to inspect the gears check for shaving etc, but a fluid change costs money they might not get reimbursed for? To me that is the next logical place to look especially since the pinion seal was leaking and the right rear brake was locked up. Its very unnerving knowing that the truck could fail at any moment especially since I live in an area affected by hurricanes, I don't want to be stranded during an evacuation or another critical event or emergency.

Hi HemiJames,

Thank you for following up with me, your sentiments expressed here are completely understandable. As our dealerships are independently owned and operated, fees are at the discretion of our dealers. Along with that, loaner availability is also handled at the dealer level. Given your situation, I would like to escalate a case on your behalf to a case specialist for further assistance. Please follow up with me via PM if this would be of interest.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[RamCares]

Mine does sonething similar to yours, kinda a vibration in the wheel at slow turns but not all the time.
Took it in to Olathe Dodge/Ram (in Kansas) jeep and they blamed it on my tires even though it did it with the stock tires, pretty sure they could give too ***** about the customers after they buy.
They also did 4 recalls on my truck and I told them about 5 times I only wanted 3 of them done and not to do the 4th one, they straight lied to my face and did all 4 anyway.
Was going to buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee but if this is how FCA takes care of there customers I dont want any... Looking at a 4 Runner now.

Hi 69GWC,

Sorry to hear you are experiencing similar concerns with your truck. I also regret to hear of your dealer experience, as this is certainly not what we expect for our customers. If you continue to work with your dealer or visit a new one for a second opinion for this concern, please follow up with us via private message. We’d be happy to connect you with a case specialist for an additional layer of assistance during that process.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[69GWC]

I really doubt I will ever step foot in a FCA dealer again to be honest and will sell my extended warrenty back and work on it my self and not have to put up with being lied to.

They cost themselves a few futre sales thats for sure. I like my truck but the dealers suck..lol

 

[HemiJames]

Hi HemiJames,

Thank you for following up with me, your sentiments expressed here are completely understandable. As our dealerships are independently owned and operated, fees are at the discretion of our dealers. Along with that, loaner availability is also handled at the dealer level. Given your situation, I would like to escalate a case on your behalf to a case specialist for further assistance. Please follow up with me via PM if this would be of interest.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

pm sent

 

[RamCares]

I really doubt I will ever step foot in a FCA dealer again to be honest and will sell my extended warrenty back and work on it my self and not have to put up with being lied to.

They cost themselves a few futre sales thats for sure. I like my truck but the dealers suck..lol

Hi 69GWC,

I sincerely regret to hear of your sentiments expressed here. This is certainly not the type of treatment we expect for our customers. Please know that you can connect with a Mopar Vehicle Protection Specialist by calling 1-800-521-9922 to proceed with your plan described here. Specialists are available Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET.

pm sent

Thank you for doing so, HemiJames! I just responded, please take a moment to review my message and follow up with me there when you can.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist