This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle wobbled while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but a failure could not be found. The technician replaced the steering box, ball joint, and front stabilizer shocks; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure began when the vehicle was purchased, but no one could repair the failure. The contact called lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of billings (2229 king ave w, billings, mt 59102, (406) 206-3601) and was informed to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
When exiting at highway speed and coasting and hitting a bump the truck shook violently to the point of almost loosing control. After searching on the internet for a cause it appears this is a common problem with Dodge Ram called the death wobble.. it never happened before and have a problem believing something so extreme could be worn bushings or suspention parts that wear out over long periods of time.
My main reason for this complaint is it is known across the United States that Dodge put a faulty front suspension on its pickups that lead to dangerous steering at highway speeds and death wobbles. My vehicle has the death wobble at highway speeds, understand this death wobble literally tries to pull the steering wheel from your hand and makes the vehicle very hard to manage. My death wobble was severe enough to bust a battery clamp, blow out both headlights, make my quad cab door not open caused my outside temperature sensor unit to malfunction, broke my steering box, broke the clip on my sunglasses holder and caused my track bar to fail again. Please understand due to the faulty sloppy drifting steering I had already replaced all tie rods, track bar, ball joints and steering dampener shock. You can go to any diesel forum and hear all the stories of the Dodge steering slop and death wobble and I would like to know why the traffic safety board has not forced a recall and upgrades on this product. I have a lifetime warranty on my track bar and can prove it has to be replaced twice a year minimum. Dodge did upgrades on the later model years 04-07 because they knew of the design flaw. Why are they not responsible for this known road hazard.
2001.5 Dodge 2500 quad 4X4 diesel. Steering has been bad for last few years. Took in and all up front is bad, hubs, joints, ball joints, tie rods and even the gear box output shaft. I was told that the dealer knows that the 2500 comes off the line with 1/4" give or take play in the ball joints as it sits new and are actually too small for application which causes all else to go bad over time. I am not hard on my Dodge with driving style. Cost to fix with stock and after market parts only to prevent is $2600. Labor is $100 per hour how can anyone handle this kind of money up front. Truck sits afraid to drive more then local. Started seeing at 95000 and have just over 103000. Dealer will not fix recalls of 2001 year because its to old!
The rear spring pads on my truck are rusting apart. Not just surface corrosion but actual splitting and flaking of the metal. I am concerned about loss of control if the pad splits apart as the rear axle could shift, causing an accident.
- Hendersonville, NC, USA
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On my way to work, as usual, on a "slightly" bumpy part of the highway my steering wheel and front end started vibrating so violently that I almost lost control. I could barely hold the steering wheel; and could not steer at all; all I could do was start braking and come to a stop. I got out and checked my tires and front end and everything appeared normal. I continued to work at about 40 mph (I had gone to work early so no traffic). At 8:00 I called my local mechanic and took it to him to check out what happened. He check everything and nothing showed. The next day it happened again; then again 2 days later. About 2 weeks later I took pickup in for regular oil/fuel/air filter change service. He test drove with me along and I explained further what happened. He said he has seen it before with Dodge 2500 & 3500 and it has been labeled the "Dodge death wobble". I thank god I was not in a busy traffic area.
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 reg cab long bed pickup. Vehicle has 26,000 original miles and after major front end repairs( upper and lower ball joints, stabilizer bar links, stabilizer shock and both wheel bearings) for steering problems, the problem still exists. The truck is almost uncontrollable and wanders into oncoming traffic if constant attention and over correction of steering is not adhered too. Driving is a task and is very dangerous.
Dodge Ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. The consumer stated he was constantly overcorrecting the vehicle left and right. The consumer had many alignments done but to no avail. It was discovered that all the ball joints needed to be replaced due to rust and no lubrication, the steering shaft and trac bar was replaced and the steering box was adjusted. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic and in his opinion alternate valve located in the steering was not performing as it should, when the mechanic removed the valve it extremely burnt from overheating. The consumer stated he no longer has any problems steering the vehicle.
My boyfriend bought a 2001 Dodge Ram in November of last year. After having the truck only four months the transmission had to be completly replaced. Two days ago we noticed a problem with the shocks. He brought it to the dealership and they told him all of the shocks need replacing, as well as other things such as the axel and what not. This is only seven months after buying the thing. The people at the dealership are rude and very unhelpful. They honestly could care less about the inconvenience they have caused us.
The ball joints of my 2001 Dodge Ram pickup had 5 times the allowable limit of play, which is 60,000th of an inch (1/16). All four ball joints had 5/16 of play at only 21,000 miles. The shop I went to for my inpection diagnosed the problem, and said I was fortunate that it didn't get any further. One good pot hole with that much play and a wheel could have come off. The shop owner told me that the ball joints were probably out of spec at 6,000 miles, considering their condition at 21,000 miles. He also said that this is a very common problem with all Dodge vehicles. He said that he has had Dodge durango's in his shop with only 6,000 miles that had the play he found in mine at 21,000 miles!
Steering wanders all over the place. 2001 Ram pickup 2500 with only 19,224 miles on it problem first surfaced around 15,000 miles. Dealer serviced at 17,207 miles as a licensed inspection mechanic, this vehicle will fail the state inspection sticker test when it is due. The amount of play at the steering wheel is currently at 5+ inches and getting worse. Inspection procedures require the play to be measured while observing the tire movement. ( example : turn the steering wheel to the left until visable movement of the tire is seen, mark a reference point on the steering wheel, now turn the steering wheel to the right untill visable movement of the tire, now measure the distance the mark on the steering wheel has traveled. Anything over a 2 1/2 " travel is cause for failing the state vehicle inspection sticker. Dealer has already replaced the track bar but this did not solve the problem. Am awaiting another appointment. My wife refuses to drive this vehicle because of the steering issues. The vehicle always needs to be " chased " left and right to keep it tracking straight ahead.it is my opinion that it is a problem with the steering box. The stae of Maine fish and wildlife division forced a buyback of these same trucks because of similar problems with the steering. If they are not safe for our local government then they are sure not safe for the average consumer. Please look into this as it is a safety issue that can not be ignored. Thank you. Concerned citizen in Maine.
The vehicle pulled to the right or left, with the steering wheel being straight. The dealer was unable to fix the problem. Vehicle has been serviced 20 times. Still problem still exist. New engine and 2 transmissions replaced.
Consumer states the vehicle began pulling to the passenger side and when the steering wheel was released for a moment, the vehicle would automatically try to veer off the road, the tires were inspected and checked for balance and alignment and it was determined that the balance was slightly out which was corrected, consumer stated the pulling seemed to stop, but reoccurred in a couple of days.
Vehicle wanders all over the road when driving. Consumer finds it difficult to control vehicle. Dealer inspected vehicle 2-3 times, and stated he could not find cause of problem.
While driving 65 mph whole front end will shake violently, causing loss of control. Dealership and manufacturer have been notified and have no solution.
Consumer states while driving the vehicle will not stay in a neutral position it will veer to the right and or left, the vehicle has been serviced 4 times yet the same malfunction reoccurs. Nlm
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Billings, MT, USA