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.
We have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel crew cab pickup that occasionally after hitting a bump or on rough roads the steering mechanism or suspension develops an uncontrollable harmonic vibration with one or the other front wheels bouncing. The only way to stop the vibration is to come to a complete stop. In heavy traffic it could be a serious safety issue. The condition is well known to Chrysler and is commonly called a "Death Wobble". The first incidence on our vehicle was around ten years ago, but newer pickups are reported to have the condition. By replacing just the shock absorbers then it seemed to have helped, but that fix may have been fortuitous. The Dodge service center at that time did know of or maybe did not admit to the issue. Recently we have had the return of a couple episodes of the Death Wobble. The internet has many aftermarket brackets available for the Death Wobble, so, I assume, the condition is well known. Chrysler now has replacement that I was told are stronger (and maybe of a better design), but any pickup of this model without the upgrade is potentially a very dangerous safety hazard. I assume there should have been a recall for this problem, but, from your website, there are no recalls listed for this vehicle. As a side note, the Jeep SUVs have also been reported to have a Death Wobble, but I have no information on whether the wobble with them is caused by the same defect with the steering or suspension systems.
I was driving on I55 this morning and all of a sudden my truck started vibrating really bad, the steering wheel was veering, I had to constantly fight to keep in my lane. And when I touched my brakes it veered. Riding really rough, and has power loss. I took it to the nearest shop and they said my driveshaft was very loose, and that it is affecting everything that I described. The center driveshaft support bearing is also failing.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 75 mph over a pothole, the front end of the vehicle shook violently and vibrated. The cause of the failure was not determined. Janssen Dodge (3101 S. jeffers dr, North platte, ne) and the manufacturer were notified, but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,000.
Violent front wheel side to side shaking when hitting a small bump on the freeway, going strait. Braking hard to a slower speed, below 50 mph stops the shake. Ram dealer installed a steering arm factory update. This did not cure the problem. The dealer could not tell me how they could fix the problem. This problem is known as the death wobble.
At highway speeds the truck will intermittently jerk violently until speed is reduced. This is so common the internet is referred to it as the "death wobble". it can do it multiple times in one trip and then not again for serveral others. Thankfully I was driving and not my wife. The vibration is so violent not many could control it safely.
- Box Elder, SD, USA
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While driving at about 55 mph, I hit a minor bump in the freeway and the truck started shaking violently, steering wheel shaking side to side. The only way it stopped was I had to reduce my speed to complete stop, the problem was I was towing a 16' trailer with a 4000 lb load on it, I was in front of a semi truck with a full load, it was a very scary and dangerous situation.. it happen again while driving at about 65 mph on freeway next day without the trailer I hit a minor bump in the roadway and the truck started shaking violently. The only way it stopped was I had to reduce my speed and stop. I think this problem should be investigated as some one is going to get killed by this happening to them
I am the original owner of this Ram 2500.. I have contacted local dealer about two years ago and followed up.. but they are full of excuses. They keep telling me "when we get the word from Dodge we will call you.. they air bad issue really scares me since I cannot turn the [xxx] thing off when I drive it and some else's carelessness is what will blind...me. Also, I see the track bar made need to be replaced... sort of important since it affect steering. How do you light a fire under these people.. car sales are booming.they go the money... they hope I go way... Honda friends of mine have had their bags replaced a long time ago.... whom do I contact to get this done"?" [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
At 138916 mile took vehicle in for warranty recall N62 left outer tie rod assemble, since that time have had six instances of uncontrolled sever and dangerous vibrations almost to the point of losing control at highway speeds of 60-70mph. The most recent occurrence was yesterday while making a left hand curve at 60mph; vehicle not has approximately 141,000 miles
On vacation towing a 5000 pound boat the front and started shaking violently the so-called Dodge death wobble.had to turn around and go homeat a much lower speed.brought it to warwick Dodge in New York for recall on tie rod assembly.they had it for 2 days they said they looked at it and did absolutely nothing.no wonder Dodge had to pay billions of dollars this is how you remedy problems.I've spent thousands on front end parts every mechanic tells me something differenti've replaced ball joints stabilizer links U-joints calipersand still have same problem my wife is afraid to drive with me.
I was traveling down a highway at about 55 mph when I hit a bump in the road. The whole truck started shaking so violently that I couldn't steer. I immediately pulled off to the shoulder and began examining the tires and suspension. I noticed some slightly worn components and replaced them once I got the truck home. Still have the same problem hundreds of dollars later. I don't want to sell the truck to anyone and afraid to drive it my self!
This has happened multiple times since I bought it, starting on the day I bought it (used) in 2008. Made it go away for some years, don't know how. Combination of tire pressure adjustment, alignment, toe angle? limited myself to driving less than 55 mph. Problem happens when you hit a bump just right and it sends one wheel up, and the other down. That wheel then gets bounced up, and sends the other down. It's like dribbling two basketballs, and the whole front end shakes violently. Since this happens at highway speeds, it happens on the highway, and the truck is completely uncontrollable during this time. The only way to make it stop is to slow down (remember, you're on the highway) to 40-30 mph. Last time I came back from queens, it happened seven times. It just happened again today, 8/14/15. It is dangerous, violent, and a known problem for which Dodge has not offered a solution or recall. It is colloquially known as the "Dodge death wobble."
While driving at highway speeds, the steering experienced a violent resonant oscillation upon hitting a pothole in the road. The only way to control the vehicle was to slow down below 35 mph, once the resonant oscillation occurs. I've brought the vehicle to the dealership locally, and they have replaced almost every front end component and still the problem persists. This vehicle has been in the dealership for seven months during the last two years, and it still has the issue. I cannot let my children drive it, I cannot, in good conscience, sell it. I'm at a loss as to a path forward.
While driving down the expressway in Chicago in heavy, high speed traffic, the vehicle drove through a small pothole, which caused the vehicle to shake \ wobble violently from the front end and cause impossible steering. The only way to stop this shaking \ wobble was to immediately slow down to below 20 mph crossing 2 lanes of traffic into the soft shoulder. It has been replicated multiple times from speeds of 40 mph and up. After taking this vehicle, a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab, 5.7 engine, stock with all current recalls up to date (except the air bag recall which no one has parts for), to multiple repair shops and Dodge dealerships, no exact caused has been located including fca (Dodge) stating there is no issue. Thousands of dollars have been spent on this in the last 3 weeks to solve the problem as it cannot be resolved yet. This is a widely known about issue in these vehicles, commonly refereed to as the "Dodge death wobble" as I have found out. Fca and NHTSA need to do something to resolve this major issue.
The 'bump' associated with an overpass expansion joint on highway I-515 induced 'death wobble' into the truck causing a loss of control. The loss of control almost caused an impact with other vehicles that were close. The dealer nor the manufacture will assist in correcting the issue. The dealer service manager says that install the 'upgraded' linkage package cures this most of the time (for $1,600). This appears to be a know safety issue that NHTSA and Dodge are ducking. Dodge upgraded the linkage in 2009 and totally redesigned the system in 2014. The vehicle is all original and in good working order. Help.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. While making a turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the ball joints were fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the upper control arm and sway bar links needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,323. Updated 09/03/15 updated 9/8/2017
I'm constantly having electrical & intake/exhaust problems with this vehicle. I've replace the battery 2 times within 2 years and it still cuts off all the time. All inspections and maintenance is current. My mechanic has also constantly worked on U-joints. Please give me a list of all recalls for this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the front end of the vehicle started to vibrate and jerk violently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Omaha, NE, USA