Q: Tie rod broke, scared to drive truck now

asked by on October 29, 2015

A tie rod just broke in my Dodge Ram 1500. The truck is from 2011 and only has 50,000 miles on it! Is this normal? If the truck were traveling at a higher speed when the rod broke there could have been a serious accident. Is there anything I could have done to cause the break? Is the truck safe once the rod is replaced or is this a sign that other steering parts are not working right?

The failure was most likely caused by water intrusion. Dodge has released customer satisfaction letter L04 that outlines the issue that you have experienced. The letter states that vehicles shipped to cold weather climates allow water ingression; thus causing wear in the sockets, which then causes a rattle in certain conditions. This letter also indicates that replacing both tie rod ends is needed. Generally speaking, any ball and socket type joint, like a tie rod end or ball joint will commonly cause a rattle noise over bumps when worn and can be an indicator that there is an issue. Other than impact during an accident, there is almost nothing that you could have done to cause the wear and progressive failure. The original part does not have grease fittings, but some of the replacements do, so ensure that they get greased at oil changes. This is not normally an indication that other steering or suspension parts are worn, but it is important to make sure. A comprehensive steering and suspension inspection will be the best way to know for sure.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Window not going up
Hi there. When a window motor begins to grind it is shaving off the gear that actuates the window up and down. What caused the window to put extra strain on the motor could be that the window is off...
Water leak at front of car
Hi there. Water leaking into the vehicle accompanied with low coolant level points in the direction of a leaking heater core. The heater core is a device through which hot engine coolant flows. It's design is similar to the engine...
Clutch pedal not engaging
Hello, you are correct that replacing the clutch master cylinder and slave is necessary as a pair. It would be helpful to know if it initially worked correctly after replacement. Since you have tried bleeding it, there is a chance...
Opinion on Mazda compared to other brands
Mazdas are better than they used to be but they used to be terrible cars. They are nowhere near, let's say, Toyotas or Hondas, but they are not terrible cars. With that said, I personally wouldn't buy one because when...
Battery is dead and engine doesn't crank
Hello! I'll be happy to assist you. I believe the issue may be the ignition key tumbler. The wires inside of the steering column connecting to the ignition key tumbler to the steering column tend to break. The wiring may...
Fiero begins to overheat when at idle/ driving slow
This can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermostat-replacement), or a failing coolant fan switch. As you may know the coolant fan switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/cooling-fan-relay-replacement) helps to maintain the proper coolant temperature...
2014 dodge journey wont start
Hi there. It sounds like you may have a failed starter or battery. A good battery test with a digital battery tester that provides current voltage, cold cranking amps, and state of health will either clear or condemn the battery....
My BMW X6 fuel range display just stoped working, it went from 78 mls to ---- so now i don't know the level of fuel remaining on m
Hello: In most cases this issue is caused by one of two things. First, it could be due to a bad EVAP solenoid or other EVAP system component near the fuel tank that is causing a disruption of fuel capacity...
Rattling front passenger side, Chech Engine light 2006 Dodge Ram 1500
Hello - I believe you have 2 different problems: one related to the Check Engine light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-does-the-check-engine-warning-light-mean), and second - something loose in the front suspension which rattles only while the truck is in motion. Check for problem codes -...

Related articles

5 Essential Things to Know About Your Car’s Dashboard
The The dashboard in your car is the control panel of your vehicle. It provides you with all the information you need to know, as well as houses the instruments and controls for operating the vehicle properly. The dashboard provides...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Farmer
If If you're a farmer, you know that what you need isn’t a used car – it’s a used pickup truck. How else are you going to haul around hay, implements, garden produce, fertilizer, and all the other things you...
How Long Does a Wheel Hub Assembly Last?
The The wheels that are on a vehicle are vital in its overall level of functionality. There are a variety of things that help to make this part of a car run, namely the wheel hub assembly and the wheel...