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.
I was driving the truck along hwy 5 in northern California in the fast lane when, going over a bridge, the front end started to violently shake. The steering wheel jerked out of my hand, I slowed down and had to pull over in front of another vehicle. Truck continued to shimmy until I came to a stop. I got out and thought maybe I had blown a tire - anything - while stranded on the side of this major hwy with loaded semis lying by. I could not see anything wrong with the truck. Got back in, it happened again some 50 miles later. I had the suspension checked and a part replaced. It happened again this spring 2014. I was told by the dealer that it was my tires. The tires were nearly new the first times this happened. I replaced the tires and am now told I have to replace other suspension parts that are damaged/worn at only 80K miles. I have had trucks, cars, etc, for decades that never had suspension issues like this even when they had over 130,000 miles. It angers me that everyone has problems with these diesel trucks and the dealers get away with poor suspensions. A week ago, I was on the freeway and saw this happen to a truck in front of me. I watched as the person attempted to slow down while trying to gain control of the truck and had to try to get across 3 lanes of heavy traffic to the side of the road. How many people have been killed by this" injured" I felt badly for them as I know exactly how that felt as they struggled to slow down and get over with semi trucks, cars, etc, fly by them.
Ran over a pothole at 65 mph and the front end violently shook. Had to apply the brakes and slow down to 50 mph in order to gain control. Took it into national tire and battery and $1700 later, I still have the problem. Semi truck behind me almost ran over me. Violently shakes. Very scary.
Going down I94 I drove over a very small pot hole and the truck started to violently shake almost causing me to loss control. I slowed down to 45 on a posted 70mile freeway during rush hour to get it under control. It has happened 2 times scents. The truck is at the shop now.if U look at the internet there are many people with is problem called death wobble and it is not a easy fix Dodge needs to be held responsible before someone gets hurt.
2004 Dodge Ram 2500. Consumer writes in regards to tie rod ball stud recall notice, heater controller unit, front end steering control and suspension issues. Consumer seeks reimbursement for repairs. The consumer stated the steering box and power steering pump were replaced. The source was metal shavings in the steering box. Also, it was noted the sway bar links were worn out, and the dealer was unable to perform a full alignment, because the upper ball joints were loose. The consumer had to manually move the heater blender door, in order to turn off the heat. The check engine light illuminated, which was traced to a frayed wire, and eventually fixed. The consumer stated a service advisor informed him, nothing needed to be done to the vehicle, as far as the recall was concerned, after only looking at the vehicle for a few seconds.
I was on my way to see my doctor in waltham, MA. And I travel the MA.turnpike at 67mph, and every bridge span or bump in the road surface the truck started to shake uncontrollably until I went to the brake down lane and brought the truck to a dead stop. In the 166 miles from my home to the doctor office and back home again I had to stop this truck 15 times. When I brought it to the dealership I had to pay $1,699.31for the damage that was cause by a defective part that no one want to replace under what should be a recall. Chrysler says that because of the year and mileage of the vehicle that it was my problem even though they have redesigned the part that cause this problem in the first place. And even after I pay the first repair bill the truck still had the same problem until the mechanic tighten the bolts on the part. The truck is still handling the same as before it was fix. And because I have had major surgery I will have to travel that road many times before I, M healed. Because I'm on workman comp. I have limited funds to live on and I really worry when I drive that truck as I can't afford another vehicle and Chrysler want to do nothing about it until someone is hurt or dead.
2005 Dodge 2500 Ram. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle ball joints, U joints and wheel bearing worn out and needed to be replaced. Also, the exhaust system rusted though and the right tie rod end fractured. The consumer recently received a recall notice, regarding the right front tie rod. However, when he called the about the recall, he was informed to send a copy of the invoice and Chrysler would pay for the previous repair. The consumer was then informed they would not pay for anything, unless mopar parts were used.
When driving over 60 miles an hour and the truck hits a bump it shakes violently. I have had to stop on the freeway to get it to stop. Have had it in three times for aligment and to have the front end checked. Seems alot of people have the same problem with there Dodge trucks.
Driving on interstate hit a bump the front end started wobbling bad, had to hit brakes to slow down for it to stop wobbling. Went to three shops replace the stabilizer shock no help, replace the front shocks help for a while and wobbles again, I, am afraid to drive it.
Have had premature failure of front end parts: Ball joints, tie rods, ujoints. I have replaced 3 times in last 5 years and again now having to replace.
I was driving my 2004 Dodge 2500 4X4 diesel pickup at 40-45 mph. As I was going into a curve in the road, I drove over a rough part in the road and the steering wheel started shaking violently back and forth (left and right). It was very hard to control the vehicle, I nearly crashed into a car on one side of me and a bridge railing on the other side. I thought maybe one of the front wheels was coming off the axle or I had a blowout. I slowed down and finally got the vehicle under control. I took it to a diesel repair shop immediately after this happened and they found the steering stabilizer shock leaking, the outer tie rod at the drag link and inner tie rod had some play, and both upper ball joints had some play. They replaced the steering stabilizer shock, the right inner tie rod, and the right outer tie rod. These repairs came to close to $400. They mentioned the "death wobble" problem and suggested we might add additional aftermarket parts to the front suspension to prevent this from happening again. The shop could not do the work right then or I would have had it done. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle now; it took all my driving experience and strength to get control of the vehicle, I do not think a weaker or inexperienced driver could have kept the vehicle from crashing. After looking at all the evidence of this "death wobble" problem on the internet, I cannot believe that the problem has not been solved and the vehicles recalled. People could die and or be injured and probably already have. The accident would probably be blamed on driver error with broken parts blamed on the accident instead of on the broken parts causing the accident.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that there was a rattling noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 182,000.
I was driving down the highway at 70 mph when my truck went into what consumers are calling "the death wobble." The truck started shaking uncontrollably, making it hard to drive. It has continued to do it, and mechanics are having a difficult time finding out what is wrong. My wife and son were in the truck with me when it happened the first time, and I'm afraid for them to ride in the truck now because of it. I shouldn't have to fear driving my main source of transportation...especially when it's not a bad vehicle. I'm noticing numerous complaints regarding this issue.
When going over a bump in the road at approximately 50 mph, uncontrolled suspension oscillation, or "death wobble, " occurs. Once it begins, nearly all steering control is lost. The only thing that can be done at the time is to rapidly decelerate to around 30 mph. This is very dangerous for drivers of these vehicles and anyone near by. I have spent thousands of dollars replacing factory parts with high end aftermarket upgrades and it always comes back.
While driving on the highway at speeds of about 55 mph and hitting any small rut or change in the road the vehicle begins to shake like crazy. I have had it at the dealer for the recall and they said it was ok. I have had it at the local truck shop and they can't figure it out. Everything looks to be tight. Dodge needs to get these trucks recalled before someone dies. Dodge knows there is a problem why in the world won they fix this. I asked the local dealer again about the death wobble and they said that they were not aware of any death wobble. Are you kidding all you have to do is google death wobble and you will see all you need to know. If I would have known about this problem store I bought this truck I would have not bought it. I am now thinking of trading it in, and let it kill someone else.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 quad. While driving approximately 10 mph, a loud noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle and immediately the steering wheel failed to turn. The contact came to a complete stop to inspect the vehicle and noticed the steering damper detached and was on the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the tie rods and steering damper would need to be replaced. Two years ago, the tie rods and steering damper were replaced under the service warranty. In addition, the front and upper and lower ball joints were replaced. There was a recall related to the defect under NHTSA campaign id number 07E009000 (suspension). The vehicle was ineligible because the recall did not pertain to the original equipment. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
While going 55 to 60 mph hit a small bump with right front tire causes violent shaking of front end, there is no control of the truck, all you can do is stomp the brakes. You must bring the truck down to almost a complete stop to stop the shaking. All front end components have been checked by a certified mechanic. Online research has revealed the Dodge death wobble to be the problem. Dodge/mopar is very aware of the problem but offer no help with the problem. Please help with this issue before someone gets killed.
The death wobble as drivers of these trucks call it. The fix in 2010 was only temporary for my 2004 Dodge truck. It once again is going into the death wobble. Dodge says the parts were only warranted for 12 months and won't fix it again. Dodge apparently didn't use heavy enough parts and axles in the first place so does that mean I have to pay to have it fixed over and over and over. Someone needs to make Dodge continue to replace these parts. There are and will be many deaths over these trucks. It is no wonder the american vehicle manuf. Are struggling. Apparently the bulletin repair makes the truck safe for only 1 more year. This isn't a poor a.C or power lock problem it is related to loss of control while driving in normal everyday conditions which can result in loss of life. Please make Dodge do the right thing on this one and get to the root of the problem at their expense not mine. Just how many complaints has Dodge had concerning this. Only they know. I will never buy another Dodge Chrysler product again. I called Dodge & they acted as though they had never heard of this problem!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Yelm, WA, USA